Archtop Tenor Uke

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John Clifford
Posts: 180
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 3:08 pm

Archtop Tenor Uke

Post by John Clifford »

This one has been taking up space in my shop for ages, and I finally finished it today. This arguably belongs in "other stringed instruments," but it's really just a little 4-string archtop guitar, so I'm posting it here.

Top is sitka spruce
Back & sides are quilted maple
Ebony fretboard, headstock veneer and bridge
Cocobolo finger rest
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Brian Evans
Posts: 922
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2014 8:26 am
Location: Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Post by Brian Evans »

OK, that is too cool for school! Now I need an archtop tenor Uke... How does it do with nylon strings? Re-entrant tuning?
Bob Francis
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Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:28 pm

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Post by Bob Francis »

That is just sweet!
Nice work.
John Clifford
Posts: 180
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 3:08 pm

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Post by John Clifford »

Thanks. Brian, I think it has a nice, rounded woody sort of sound with the nylon strings. The highs are a little muted compared to a standard ukulele, as you'd expect. It sounds better plucked than strummed. Yes, it has a high G string. I might change that later. No neck reinforcement or bracing on this one - I really don't think it needs it.
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Beate Ritzert
Posts: 599
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:20 am
Location: Germany

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Post by Beate Ritzert »

Very beautiful!
Darrel Friesen
Posts: 265
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:48 pm

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Post by Darrel Friesen »

Very nice John. I built one quite a few years ago similar to yours and posted it here. Inspired by the ones Saul Koll builds. It might be in the old archives. A different sound than my flat tops but pleasing.
Rick Milliken
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Joined: Wed May 31, 2017 10:05 pm
Location: Okotoks, AB, Canada

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Post by Rick Milliken »

Very nice, love the maple! Is the top x-braced or?
John Clifford
Posts: 180
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 3:08 pm

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Post by John Clifford »

Thanks folks. Rick, I actually didn't use any bracing in this one. I thought the arch would be sufficient for structural support, and I seem to have been correct. Of course, it's hard to say how that choice affected the sound. I've built three other archtop tenor ukes, and put parallel (or V) braces in all of those. They all sound different though (different woods, etc.), so it's hard to tell. I like the way this one sounds.
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