Source box: A Turrent
Scale: Soprano

This is my take on the Fluke ukuleles which have a flat bottom,

The box is borderline too small for the scale length as the bridge is far too near the end of the top. In order to keep the logo I have used four side sound holes.

I also tried a different neck fitting with no heel.

As the box was not modified much it does not sound very loud and is a tad thin in tone.

Source box: Oliva
Scale: Soprano

This is the first one where I tried to thin the box top.

Source box: Brick
Scale: Concert

This one attracted me because of the Brick theme. Even the sound holes are meant to represent brick courses. As is the veneer work on the headstock.

I tell people it is my tribute to Pink Floyd

Source box: PRD 1878
Scale: Concert

Continuing the tribute theme this black box could only be for Eric Clapton (Blackie). so it had to have a Fender headstock.

I think one represents the best I have achieved so far in sound and playability.

Source box: Padron
Scale: Soprano

This project was prompted by the rise in so called travel ukulele. These are supposed to be smaller than the traditional ukulele for easy packing. Some just have a thinner body, others more extreme, have no body and a neck with fret board and differing locations for the tuners. Having no body means they must rely on pickups and amp to provide the sound.

Now I think this defeats the object a travel ukulele. It’s purpose is to be able to be packed in a small space, pulled out and played no matter where you are.  Relying on an amp, no matter how small means an extra item and extra batteries to be packed. Sod’s law will ensure that if you have no spare batteries or the one in the amp will be flat when you need it.

So, this project uses a small cigar box with fairly traditional locations for the tuners. It is actually quite loud for such a small box, probably due to the reduction in top thickness. It is also much more compact than a traditional soprano ukulele.