Definition of a Ukulele

[twsinstruments]

I've built several ukuleles, tenor and soprano over the last couple of years, well at least I thought I had. Recently I tried something different, being a soprano with a floating bridge and tailpiece. But GCEA tuning, 13 inch scale, usual body shape, etc and was informed that it is not a ukulele but a four string mandolin, despite the tuning. This got me wondering if there is a formal definition of what makes a uke, vs a mandolin, or for that matter some other form of instrument?
Trev

[kiwigeo]

Without doing in depth research I believe a majority of modern mandolins have double metal strings or courses while ukes are predominantly single nylon stringed instruments. A lot of mandolins have carved backs and tops whereas ukes are predominantly flat topped and backed.

I've built several ukuleles, tenor and soprano over the last couple of years, well at least I thought I had. Recently I tried something different, being a soprano with a floating bridge and tailpiece. But GCEA tuning, 13 inch scale, usual body shape, etc and was informed that it is not a ukulele but a four string mandolin, despite the tuning. This got me wondering if there is a formal definition of what makes a uke, vs a mandolin, or for that matter some other form of instrument?
Trev

[Allen]

A ukulele wouldn't have a tail piece and floating bridge. What you have is a hybrid instrument that is niether a uke or mando. Uke people are far mor accepting of instruments that don't fit the norm though. Whereas good luck with the mando crowd.