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Has anyone built a headless uke bass?

JACink

JACink

Mar 9, 2011
5,271
7,363
Spain
#1
I haven't managed to find any photos of one online, but that doesn't mean that they don't exist ;)

Now, the longer explanation...

I travel a lot, sometimes I can take an instrument case with me, which means I can take a bass, but sometimes this is not possible, or I am making a trip where I don't want people to see me with an instrument case.

I am really interested in a solid body uke bass for this, but they are longer (overall) than the typical dimensions of a suitcase. I really need something that is 25" long maximum.

I therefore thought about getting a neck (building a neck is something I don't feel confident enough to do) and building my own body. I have various doubts about this though, so any input would be very welcome.

First, all the necks (note, I am looking at the cheap end of the price range for at least the first attempt at this) seem to be for building acoustic ukes. I am thinking I can reduce the heel and then set this into a soild body, or is this crazy?

61Lns9Xb2YL._SL1200_.jpg


Second, I can find plenty of soprano, concert and even tenor and baritonee, but none specifically for a bass uke. Do you think using a Baritone (or even a Tenor) neck would cause many issues being a 19" scale instead of 20.5"? I am mainly asking due to string availability.

Finally, I have been looking at some of the regular headless ukes, that all use standard tuners mounted to the back (or top) of the body. Is this the best way to go about it, something like this?

8c8afd0b8f53475950d3b4ffd05987da.jpg


I have plenty more questions, but for now I think those are my main starting points.
 
#3
If you are using the thick strings common on those instruments it might be a real tight fit for the tuners. Plus, if I were thinking of doing it I would use some rollers to make the turn.

I think it is possible but those strings stretch for weeks so you will have to be able to pull them through the tuners to stay with one layer on the posts.
 
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#5
n4vgm said:
If you are using the thick strings common on those instruments it might be a real tight fit for the tuners. Plus, if I were thinking of doing it I would use some rollers to make the turn.

I think it is possible but those strings stretch for weeks so you will have to be able to pull them through the tuners to stay with one layer on the posts.
Click to expand...

When you say it may be a tight fit for the tuners, are you referring to the example I posted, or using the method used by Alder?

I am also not completely against not having tuner keys at all, just using an allen head type and having one "key" for all tuners, but that would involve more diy on my part.
 
#7
Does anyone know where I may be able to source a neck for a uke bass with a truss rod?

Or, tips on how to retro fit a rod (or metal laminate etc.) to an existing neck, in order for it to withstand steel strings?
 

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