Unorthodox ukulele build, start to finish.
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- Building my ukulele from start to finish, compiled down from a longer series I made back in 2013. This isn't following traditional guitar building techniques.
More details and free plans here:
woodgears.ca/uk...
Being a ukulele player for many years, your original video series inspired me to build one too. I found your videos and accompanying articles extremely helpful and I followed many of your recommendations. It was fun seeing you experiment with different techniques (particularly bending the sides). My ukulele still works great too!
You have your own "How I built it" video, too! I found it. It was three years ago. :D
That's great!
And, since Matthias still can't play his to his satisfaction, did your unorthodox ukulele luthiery/lutherie? cause you to lose any or all of your abilities as a ukulelist?
@@Yutani_Crayven Yes I do! I also submitted a sub-article to Matthias which he included on Woodgears.ca
9:36 "I've been FRETTING over a good way to get these little thinga-ma-jigs to stick into their slots" Haha well thats a good pun!
Dang it, you beat me to it! Now if I say something like this I'll only get like... 6 likes!
He is just stringing you along
LOL, @@jccapwell, I hope his string doesn't hook me by the neck! I'll have to stay tuned to see. I guess we'll just cross that bridge when we get there.
Thanks for pointing that out.
The cool thing about ukes is the string tension is so low you can do much anything you want with the design. I think this is a great build!
Depends on the size of the ukulele. For this one, it's almost the same tension. Basically, take the 4 highest strings on a guitar, put the capo on the fifth fret, and you have the same scale as a ukulele. Fifth fret to bridge is typically about 487 mm on a guitar. Scale length on this uke is 450 mm. So this one has about 85% of the string tension as a full guitar.
@@matthiaswandel the nylon strings of a uke have much less tension than a steel string guitar, a classical full size guitar has about half the tension of a same size steel string, then you are losing a third of that tension with two fewer strings, and about a quarter with the scale length. So you have half the tension of a classical or a quarter the tension of a steel string.
I've watched all the original videos, at least twice. When I was first getting into woodworking, I watched every single one of your videos, and throughout the years I've gone back and revisited most of them multiple times.
enjoyed!
This Old Tony!!!!
Love your build videos! The go cart? And your tooling. Love it!
Hey can you do an explanation for surface gauges?
I have an old Brown and Sharpe I found and it’s missing the springs. As well as idk how I can incorporate it into my mix of things.
I’m new to the intricate measuring/machining side of the field and want to learn all that I can.
Like a video series on specialty tools that only machinists use, would be an easy topic for you. And it shouldn’t take to long to film and edit them... maybe 3 min videos for every tool. Or 10 min videos... but dude I literally put your films on play next. Your voice and editing skills are soothing and professional.
“How it’s made” greatest show ever created! You could be CZcams’s better version of that.
The pantarouter is tailor made for cutting neck mortises! The preferred way to install frets is with a modified arbor press. A relatively easy finish on an instrument is gun stock oil or tru-oil, it soaks into the pores and hardens and gives a wonderful smooth matte finish and is very durable. :) One of my favorite channels on CZcams is Crimson guitars, they make bespoke guitars in the UK. It's run by another woodworking madman Luthier Ben Crowe who started out in a backyard shed making stuff just like this and now runs an international guitar company :) An early episode there was all about making cigar box guitars, reminded me of this. Nice sounding instrument and great video Matthias!
That tricky transition point.
Old long videos were fantastic. This video is also fantastic. Best of both worlds. Although now I really want to watch the full build again.
It's been a long time since I watched this. Professionals aside, I like that you put this well within reach of most woodworkers. thanks for taking the time
i have watched the original build playlist at least 4-6 times. i loved every second
Ever so true. Right up to the musicians doing the "audition".
😁👍🏻💛
I remember watching this series when it came out; your "series" type videos are actually the ones I enjoy the most. My favorite was your big dresser build series, probably because we don't get to see you build that kind of furniture very often. I know that's not the kind of content your channel is geared for, but there's a certain novelty to watching someone like you build "fine" woodworking projects like this.
It's interesting to see this. One would think that you need artistry, instinct, and maybe a long apprenticeship with a luthier, in order to build a traditional musical instrument. But you have analyzed the process logically and made it no more arcane than constructing a set of shelves. I find that amazing!
Check out The Ukulele Teacher's channel to learn how to play your uke!
I think re editing older videos like this is a win win for everyone. It exposes people to your older videos we haven’t seen yet plus if it’s something I’m interested in I might go back and watch the full Series for more detail. And lastly more views for you!!!!
I love watching stringed instruments being built and never knew you built this. I'm gonna have to check out the entire series.
I watched the original series two years ago. This was a nice distillation of that series. Great job!
Reediting your old videos is a great for us newer viewers! Really enjoying the videos so far
Very nice Matthais! Who cares what the pros say. Everyone started with the first one of anything. Making your own instrument goes back in history a long way. And if sounds good to you, then enjoy. Music should be "homemade" anyway!
Helped my kids make instruments for grade 4 school projects. Got carried away of course.
Rattle can lacquer worked great for a finish. Just sprayed on a coat everytime I walked thru the shop on the way out or the way back from the barn. Ended up with 27 coats on the instrument before the can ran out. Looks great and there was no sanding required!!
Somehow I missed it when I watched your earlier builds, but this time when you made the soundboard out of construction lumber I was like "WTF?" Then I checked, and it turns out spruce is one of the most common woods used for ukulele soundboards. You learn something new every day.
Hi Matthias, I don't know if you will look at this comment, but one tip that I use to get that "butter-looking" finish is to first seal with "Sanding Sealer". It is a very hard lacquer that drys fast (hot solvent). You then sand this smooth as it cuts fast and leave a hard surface for your clear coat. The sanding seal will then seal the wood so that you do not get the "orange peel" look on your wood. Also, you will not need as many final coats. Finally, for your last coat keep the wind away that carries sawdust so that you do not get little particles on the surface. After the final coat is very hard, you can use car wax to get the buttery gloss on the sound board.
I enjoyed both the old video series as well as this condensed video. Honestly any video your interested in translates well thru your videos and your humour...always looking forward to all your content! Keep up the good work
09:35 "I've been fretting..." Well played Matthias.
Your creativity and ingenuity continues to boggle my mind. well done!
Very good.
With more accuracy in choosing woods and varnishes, professional instrument builder make the difference in sound and power output.
But it seems to me that your unhortodox version, play very well.
I'll see you in your next video!
True fans have already seen this but are still watching this edit
From start to finish, baby. It was pure therapy.
Hey, that rhymed lol
Been watching you for years and didn't know about this project. Thanks for another cool wood video.
Old workshop .... I miss it
Missing any workshop, but enjoying the vids all the same.
The Ukelele was my first stringed instrument. I was 10. I am a woodworker and have a smaller amount of toys..I had been thinking about building a guitar..
Maybe start with a primative design and use it as a prototype.
My dad was good friends with Mr styles in Hialeah, Fla. He was a true Craftsman and was featured in various articles. He had an amazing amount of machines. They were huge. i subscribed.
.
Your work never ceases to amaze me!
I love your videos! This one caught my eye due to the fact that our youngest daughter just started playing the ukulele about a month ago and she's doing really well with it. After seeing this video, I am inspired to build her a custom one now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, ideas and adventures with us. :-)
Been building Guitars & Ukes for about 7-8 years, I would not call some your methods conventional but hey the result is good. There are a few things you did that might be an issue if you played it every day but he sound is there. There are many ways to get to the same end too many people get fixated on the "right" way to do things...
I hate that shit, the RIGHT way it thought of by humans as well there is no such thing as the right way just because that's how other people do it
I built a traditional gourd banjo. For the bridge, my design was similar to the old guitar you showed.I made a wooden piece that resembled the metal piece on the guitar to hold my strings. The wooden piece is held on using some juke string and wrapped around the bottom peg.
Thanks Matthias. I watched from start to finish and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Definitely a different way of doing it. Always interesting to see your take on things!
Your original build inspired me to start building one of my own, but so far I haven't finished it. I used a wooden cigar box for the body, because it's Spanish cedar, which is a traditional wood for classical guitars, and I made the top out of western red cedar. The neck is birch with a mahogany veneer on the top of the headstock, and the fretboard is curupay, with ebony fret markers that are also alignment pins that kept the fretboard straight when gluing it up. It's actually about 90% done, I ought to finish it up one of these years.
Great work Matthias! Very inspiring and the results were way better than I expected. Again, great job, and great video!
For a clear coat, consider Solarez I Can't Believe It's Not Lacquer. Cures in sunlight in 60 seconds, sands easily and buffs up very nice. Also, zero VOCs, nonflammable and almost no odor.
Great build sort of inspires a person to try ever harder projects.
One thing I've always loved is the really ingenious ways you clamp different things together... That would make an interesting video ;-)
That ukulele is a beautiful thing, and watching you make it makes me happy
Nice build and fun to watch. The final result seems far superior to what I would expect from the typical beginner's ukelele.
I think it also helps that the guy is an amazing woodworker and engineer.
Matthias! We needed an original composition at the end of this video... "My name is Matthiiiiiias"... *strum strum strum* ... "I make gears and mouse mazes out of wooooooood"... *strum strum strum* ....
a better second line would be "I make wood into gears and mouse mazeeees"
@@RubixB0y I'm sure if viewers combine our efforts we can come up with a good Matthias Wandel ukulele song.
To the beat of Bruno Mars' Nothin' on You song
@@Yonatan24 I think he was thinking of to the tune of "My Name is Jonas" by Weezer
Good job. Once I had the opportunity to repair the old ukulele with toys. But making an instrument from scratch is just art.
Matthias, you never cease to amaze me! Keep them videos rolling on out brother!!!
The ukulele-series was why I subscribes to you back in 2014. If only I would have found your videos earlier. Keep up the great content!
Matthias Wandel
Excellent video.
There's a beautiful little 4 chord song for this called "MAKE MY HEART FLY"
it's a song from a Musical called Sunshine On Leith made in Edinburgh Scotland.
The whole musical is heartwarming.
If you've never seen it, it's well worth watching and you'll be surprised at some of the actors and actresses that make an appearance in the movie.
But that song Make My Heart Fly is D..G..A..Bm chords for the ukulele.
Tune up and play along ☺
It's awesome ☺
I thought "Sunshine on Leith" was an album by The Proclaimers. o.O
Compared with the pipe organ build, zero challenge with this project. Glad you're taking it easy and i hope you're feeling better lately, but please put your great skills to use- let's see a hurdy gurdy or a harpsichord!
LoL, what a challenge. I for one, would like to see it done. (Hurdy Gurdy) Have anyone seen Patty Gurdy...?
Wait. Pipe organ build? How have I not seen this? DAMN YOU CZcams! Searching now.
Great job. you can do anything.
I worked with a CNC cutting touch and hand held torches for years.I was cocky one day and told my co worker I can do anything with this hand torch. I had a 1/4" plate of steel ready and said ,give me anything you want me to cut out and I can do it,, by hand!!!
He thought about it and said,,,,,," cut a perfectly straight line!!" lol
Dang it!!!!
So this is the TL:DW version.
No, this is the version that should solve the problem of the _old_ one being the "TL;DW" (semicolon) version.
With oil base poly, I use 600 grit after the last coat and then use a rag with mineral spirits to give it a good wipe. It tends to melt the final coat and ends up amazing. I've never had good luck with water base poly.
And it still has an amazingly sweet tone.
While I'm sure we all wish your arm would let you get building new stuff, I love what you are doing to still make fun and interesting content, keep doing you Matthias!
The rice cooker steam was a good idea - easy to refill, which is a problem with other DIY steamers.
I watched the original series and found it enjoyable and informative. I've made several ukes since, none of them very impressive but fun to try.
The last 5 seconds of the video was the cherry on top! Just epic :)
I really enjoyed the ukulele build, i was surprised it didn't make success, hope this video will get the attention it deserve
Hey Matthias - beautiful work man! Love the rice cooker/steamer idea haha. I've been planning to build a simple Torres inspired classical guitar but was "fretting" about how to bend the sides...rice cooker it is! Also, there is nothing wrong with your building methods here - there are plenty of mortise and tenon bolt-on necks out there - even some really expensive guitars! Also, most people don't know but over 100 years ago in Canada and U.S. white oak was a very popular wood for guitar back and sides! Good choice. The only thing I would say for next time is don't varnish the fretboard...just oil it up nice every year or so. That is, of course, just my personal preference.
I watched that video when it was first put up and I am glad to see it has weathered plus it still sounds very nice.
Hallo Matthias, ich habe dich schon lange abboniert und finde es immer wieder erstaunlich, was du an neuem Zeug "raus haust". Wahnsinn, echt klasse. Danke!
....man....you never ceases to amaze me. Your simply amazing at everything you do lol. This build is definitely in my bucket list for 2019
Uke series was how I found this channel..good job
A suggestion if you want to play the instrument: It will sound better and louder if you remove nearly all the finish on the sound board. Custom guitar builders use very little finish and then remove most of it by sanding and polishing. The finish retards the vibration of the sound board. The less there is the more vibration. Sanding off most of the finish and then finishing with polish and a buffing wheel will also produce a better looking finish.
I saw all the long videos and I really liked them. I hope i can make one some day.
Mattias, you may not be a musical virtuoso but you are certainly a Wood Working virtuoso.
Liked both versions, I enjoy watching you make stuff
"So let's see how it matches" - Perfection as always Matthias
Matthias, very inspiring video... I have been dabbling with building a guitar off and on for a while, amongst all the hundreds of other projects I have on the go.....
You have a lot of great, astute methods here....Far better and more persevering than I...as you completed.....I will offer my ten cents though, in the hopes of helping a little, if I can.....
It would be worth your while to purchase the small "hard" components of nut and saddle- as these items are integral in improving sound... Even the fret board is so small, one could throw for a harder exotic or more dense wood without breaking the bank.... A piece of Brazilian cherry flooring for example.......
I bend wood in a similar way...I insulate with foam.....but anything with r value works...
Your methods are practical, and great... I have learned many things from you. Your methods may not be Gibson/ Martin "Luthier".... but they work very well...and they create wonderful instruments, without spending a fortune.... again...very, truly inspiring....Thank you.
The floating bridge was a good idea. Nice looking uke!
very nice technical studies. a great guitar appeared .. I'm thinking about doing violin .. thank you .....
"Getting a smooth finish takes a lot of meticulous work, which is why I suck at it." ...says the man who decides to build a ukulele from scratch and meticulously creates a CAD design, creates multiple jigs to bend, shape, route, sand, clamp the wood, calculates fret widths with a calculator w/out a pre-fab program, and then films, edits, re-edits and posts for us to watch. Ya, that's some super sloppy work there, Matthias, seriously..... :) Awesome video. Thank you.
I quite enjoyed the original, full-length production. I also enjoyed this condensed version. I guess this is why some people upload a short and a long version of the same video. I can't imagine how it could be worth someone's time to essentially edit the same video twice. Unless, of course, they are editing and reuploading it after having gained 6 years of insight.
I watched the original videos and loved them! Just for the record
i had watched it. it was beautiful.
i am watching this version and it is beautiful as always. thanks for sharing your work.
It's so nice how you make it quieter when sawing
Matthias strike again! Very impressive!
You are truly unbelievable man, very well done Matthias😉
I’m speechless, Mr. Wandel.
You didn't need to worry so much about the method used to anchor strings for the bridge section - the strings don't pull that hard (not as hard as on a guitar anyway).
My wife teaches music and one of the bridges on the cheap mahalo ukuleles broke, I made a replacement bridge with a bit of scrap (of some kind of hard-ish wood) cutting needed slots with a hacksaw and drilling holes (the holes where strings are actually tied to bridge) with a hand-drill. The bridge was previously held on with just glue, but I also added a couple small self-tapping screws (screwed in from the inside of ukulele).
The repaired ukulele has held up for over a year (getting its share of abuse from elementary-school-aged kids).
Affectation-free guitar building, who'd have thought it was possible - the luthier mafia will be getting you de-monetised. Thanks for the short version, I liked the long original version also.
I watched the entire thing several years ago. Enjoyed it. :D
Thank you for sharing your amazing video, just saw a professional making guitar. And your work looks much similar. So I thought you had made it before. God bless you and your family
This is definitely going to be my wood shop project when I get back to school.
Awesome, like how every step is simple and it works!
It is funny coz the original buid videos are exactly why I started watching your channel. Those who couldn't handle it don't deserve a Mathias in their life ! :D
Hai, always admire your thinking proces. Rob
Masz niesamowite pomysły, jestem pod wrażeniem wszystkich twoich projektów. Laguna Fan pozdrawia z Polski. 😃
I already watched the long version...and now I'm going to watch it again. I understand most people have short attentions spans but I prefer in-depth videos personally. Hearing fast talk and seeing quick scene changes is not relaxing to me and that is the only reason I would watch someone make a ukulele(or similar)..to relax. otherwise I would make one myself or watch a horror movie lol.
I love music. You are a creative man
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واتمنى لك التوفيق
I've seen the original and loved it ❤
I have seen every part🙈
That's amazing love your ideas I'm into woodworking I find your videos inspirational just came across this channel will keep watching
Well, it sounds beautiful and looks the part, too. Great work!
You definitly are the king of the jigsaw !
Watching your videos and it gives me a Bob Ross kinda feeling. Good show.
Really enjoyed seeing this again mate, one of my favourites of yours. Hope the tendonitis gets better soon, l am sure it must be frustrating not being able to hit stuff with hammers etc. Don`t rush it, You are worth waiting for, all the best. Russ
I watched them all. And I found it very interesting how your approach was different from someone who builds them professionally. :)
You always have solution for every problems, awesome engineering!
your skills is the best in the world.
always i have learned. thanks.
I watched the whole hour long one. I loved it!
That's really nice work Matthias
New sub the ingenuity is one thing but you really have your equipment well rounded and functional for your needs. Great work.
I built an electric bass in HS back in the 70's, it had a clear body, walnut neck and it played in tune, the lucite body was a bit heavy and 40 years later, still don't know how to play. One thing for sure it's a whole lot easier to build electric instruments than that acoustic one you built, although a trust neck is a bit tricky. Interesting side note, when videos are more than 10 to 20 minutes I will generally pass them by unless I specifically searched for the topic. Must be why, even though your channel is one of my regulars, I missed the first run of this one.
It was a whole lot of shorter videos, but back in 2013