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What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:26 pm
by Dan Bejnarowicz
Still working on guitar build number two and have been thinking about the next build; I think its going to be a Uke.

I'd love the idea of a scratch build, but don't know if my skills are ready for that... so, what suppliers (production or private) are out there? I've seen the following:

- Grizzly
- StewMac

And thats all I can see or think of at the moment for the kits, and i havent seen much for molds, necks, or anything else (just SM)

I'd like to try an all black walnut uke... just to see what it would be like.

Thanks

Dan

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:30 pm
by mjmeehan
Check out my post below, Dan. There's some good info. there.

I don't know about the Stewmac uke kit, but I did "build" the one from grizzly. It sounds ok, just not much in the way of construction.

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:08 pm
by Dan Bejnarowicz
Those are great sources of information and parts. I do like Kathy's work, and her use of Tru-Oil.

thanks!

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:47 pm
by Tony_in_NYC
No additional info on Uke kit suppliers?

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:55 am
by Dan Bejnarowicz
Hi Tony,

Nothing new to share. I've consolidated the list below based on what I've found: And, thats all I've found. There appears to be a few more bits and pieces at MIMF, but not kits.

Add to the list if more are uncovered.

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:22 pm
by Tony_in_NYC
Dan,
John Hall hooked me up with a guy who will put a kit together for you, but he is a bit more expensive than I was willing to go for my first uke. I ended up buying the back, sides and top from here:
http://www.volcanoguitarworks.com/

I paid $30 for a lower figured set of Koa, but when it got to me, it has decent figure. I ordered the rest of the guts from Hana Lima. $70 or so for the ebony package. Not bad.

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:27 am
by darren
Tony,
did they bend the sides for you?

Aren't you building 2 guitars right now? :)

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:13 am
by Mike Franks
I am happy to provide custom Ukulele kits in Soprane, Concert & 14-fret Tenor sizes. Kits can be ordered as materials only, partially serviced or fully serviced with bent & profiled sides, jointed top & back, slotted fretboard, pre-made braces and fully carved necks. Bent sides will match John Hall's molds. Tonewood selection includes Mahogany, Flamed Koa, Indian Rosewood and Brazilian Rosewood. I can also provide custom inlay.

My kits are not meant to compete with the lower priced Grizzly or Stew Mac kits.

Please feel free to contact me for pricing and availability.

Mike Franks
586-703-2700
www.mjfranksguitar.com

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:33 pm
by Tony_in_NYC
darren wrote:Tony,
did they bend the sides for you?

Aren't you building 2 guitars right now? :)
Hey Darren,
No, they did not bend the sides for me. I am going to have John Hall do that for me in the shape of a Martin concert uke. I am going to build the neck for this uke too. From a Hana Lima neck kit.
I am supposed to be building three guitars right now actually. One for me, and two for paying customers. However, there was an issue with the necks that has just been worked out, so I do not have any parts for those guitars yet. The koa should be arriving any day, hopefully followed soon after by the remaining guitar guts and necks.

Re: What Uke Kits or suppliers are out there?

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:50 am
by petecef
We at RC Tonewoods have a nice selection of Uke
sets,
tops,
parts.
Check them out.