Dave's Extravagant Ukuleles: December 2018

Ukulele Manifesto

While most ukuleles look like mini guitars, other popular forms have emerged--the Bell, the Pineapple, the Fluke. The variety may be due to the uke's reputation as a whimsical, "fun" instrument, inspiring non-conformity in design; and the uke's small size makes design experiments cheaper and easier.

For someone like me who likes to design and make things of wood, and who also likes ukulele music, the uke's design possibilities have proven irresistible. I have not been immune to the whimsy factor either. The results, you see here on this blog.

I make ukuleles at 2nd Chance Wood Co. in Durand, MI (https://www.facebook.com/pg/2ndchancewood/posts/?ref=page_internal) . The ukes are made entirely of recycled wood from old Michigan barns and urban reclaimed wood. The instruments are for sale at the 2nd Chance store in Durand, MI. Individuals or dealers may also contact me at raberdavid@yahoo.com.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Camp Style

Recently built ukes in the so-called "Camp" style, first popularized in the 1920s. I like the simplicity of the body shape--it's round, as you probably noticed. The one at the top has a bigger body, though this is obscured by the fact that the one at the bottom is a tighter close-up picture. Both are concert-sized. I like the bigger body because it produces somewhat higher volume, though I think they both sound pretty sweet. This is the first type I've made that includes some wood that is not reclaimed wood: the sides are made of 3/8" bendable plywood, a commercial product, which I think works well for this application. I don't mind not being a 100% purist with the reclaimed wood, especially since this will probably be my only departure ever from that 100%.