Difficulty: Advanced
Cost: $$
I decided to make a ukulele for my mom for Christmas. She liked the look of my other transparent red instruments, so I gave it a “heritage cherry” finish. The scale length is 15.5 inches, so this is a concert sized uke.
The body and neck are made of cherry wood. I’ve never used purpleheart before, but I used it on this fretboard. This a very hard wood with a beautiful color.
The top is made of cedar wood.
I sealed the body, then sprayed red nitrocellulose lacquer on it. After that, I applied about ten coats of clear lacquer.
“Twinkle, twinkle little uke…” (Who can guess what the symbol on the green bulb represents?)
After the lacquer cured, I buffed it and glued the bridge and fretboard on. I strung it up with Aquila strings.
Just in time for Christmas! Add a eBay soft case, and my application for “son of the year” is complete.
See it in action!
That fluke style guitalele i’m working on will have a semi hollow body.