Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

My latest quirky instrument hope it brings every one a smile

The Cigar Box Sardine Tin Resonator Ukulele This little blues machine features
Funky Cuban Cigar Box.
Norwegian sardine tin found in a paddock very old, special alloys for improved tone
Black Bean neck recycled from a cabinet.
Fret board and head plate Rosewood
Copper tail/and bridge cover.
Tuners off an old Japan made (Canora) Baritone ukulele.
The bridge is Vic Ash with rosewood tip.
Scale is 14" low G concert strings.
Very happy with tone considering just strung it up Aquila strings take awhile to sound there best I reckon. I shall record a sound sample latter in the week. Thanks for looking.

Just way cool as usual Luke. Can't wait for the sound sample.

I may be stating the obvious here but, ... what sardine tin?

Great use of materials .

John Maddison wrote:I may be stating the obvious here but, ... what sardine tin?

Sardines, cigars what's the freak'in difference, there both better smoked than used as a sex lubricant...not that I would know from any kind of personal experience at all.

P.S. Probably the bridge cover and tail piece I would expect.

Cheers

Kim

No, it says the tailpiece and bridge cover are copper.
I want to see the guts, the resonator/bridge coupling. C'mon you're hiding the magic.

Joe

John Maddison wrote:I may be stating the obvious here but, ... what sardine tin?

Great use of materials .

Hi John and others the sardine tin is inside acting like a traditional resonator cone like in a National guitar.
It sits on a little frame inside the box all very simple.

looks pretty cool as usual.

How did you get rid of the big government warning "smoking is bad for your health" sticker?

I'm going to start calling you "Cool hand Luke" as this is another cool build, I like how your mind works Luke.......outside,yet inside the box .

liam_fnq wrote: How did you get rid of the big government warning "smoking is bad for your health" sticker?

Have made a couple of these cigar box ukes and used shellite on cotton buds to dissolve the glue and gently prise the stickers off.

liam_fnq wrote:looks pretty cool as usual.

How did you get rid of the big government warning "smoking is bad for your health" sticker?

Thanks guys, This box had the government labels already off had some glue residue on the top that came off with some eucalyptus oil. Didn't bother to much with the back as you can see. Its nice to find an old box that is pre health warnings have used a few that I have came across.
I like that these box's have some imperfections some times the art work is not perfect the box might be a bit beat up etc all ands to the Recycled Strings theme.
I have a collection of instruments ready for my first ever market stall display next Sunday at The Yackandandah Folk Festival (North East Victoria) so I hope a couple might find a new home I am sure I will be busy with the punters wanting to have a play and talk about the instruments, its getting there credit card out is the challenge.

I hope a couple might find a new home I am sure I will be busy with the punters wanting to have a play and talk about the instruments, its getting there credit card out is the challenge.

Preachin' to the choir Luke.

Yes 'Cool hand Uke'

Steve

I have recorded a sound sample and hear is a link. Sorry in advance for this hosting sites pop up adds etc but will have to do for now.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/880870782887167a/

happy with tone and will improve as strings settle in enjoy.

Cool uke Luke!

Thanks for the sound sample.
Be careful though, just play the sound on the page that shows first and don't hit the big PLAY-button or, if you can't resist do not accept to download VLCSetup.exe as it seems to contain a virus (Artemis).

Speaking about the health warning label, I have seen some cigar box ukes which had not the label removed but altered to something like "Warning: Ukulele playing can be addictive".