Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi All.

Another commission; another uke... A little different this time round though.

This is the first six string Tenor Ukulele I have had commissioned, or made. It is not six individual strings or notes like a Guitalele, as the pictures will show. Two courses are octave doubled like some Bouzouki's, so it is tuned - G, High C, Low C, E, Low A, High A.

David Hurd warns builders that going from a standard four string tenor ukulele at 39lbs tension, increases the cumulative string tension to the six string version at not quite double that - 65lbs. A big jump and one that requires careful consideration of bracing and a proportionate increase in bridge size/gluing area.

Anyway, this is what I came up with. I am very happy with the resulting tone of this build. The added courses certainly give a rich texture and full sound to the ukulele, but I'd really like to hear it in the hands of a talented player as opposed to my clumsy attempts. I hope the customer will do some recording - if so, I will post a sample.

I used Pegheds on this build, to limit the weight and size required in the headstock. I think they suited well. Also in reference to a recent thread on the subject, this unit had a K&K Twin Spot installed. I mounted this directly under the saddle, on the bridge plate and it is certainly loud, even and clear.

Specifications are -

Back, Sides, Binding, Headstock, Fretboard : Ziricote (stunning set!)
Soundboard : Englemann Spruce
Neck : Mahogany
Rosette : Amboyna Burl
Bridge : American Walnut
Purfling and Inlay Details : All 0.8mm Maple
Logo : Paua
Pegheads : Pegheds!
Pickup : K&K Twinspot
Finish : Mirotone High Gloss
Strings : Combination Worth High Tension and D'Addario Wound
Thanks for letting me share it.

Jeremy.

Immaculate, as ever, Jeremy!

Stunning workmanship. Thanks for sharing it with us
Miguel

Sweet as Jeremy.

I've had to do some repairs to a couple of 6 string tenors in the last year. I think all of them relating to that extra string tension you mentioned, and the builder not really understanding or accounting for it.

Yum

And this is why I love this forum. You luthiers are an inspiration! Lovely work Jeremy. I don't know if I would even take on something with this much risk. Maybe one day, but you have set a high standard.

Martin

Really nice Jeremy, an inspiration, beautiful timber. Wayne

I'm looking for a smilie who's jaw drops all the way into next week! Absolutely stunning work Jeremy and that headstock, I'll be happy if I only ever saw that photo for the next year!

Beautiful work Jeremy. Makes me want to learn to play uke

Top shelf, Jeremy!

Are the tuning pegs of the Stewmac variety? And is there any noticeable 'slip' when the Uke is tuned up?

Regards and job well done ...

Thanks gents.

Truly appreciated individual comments. Very generous ones at that...

Allen - well, I hope mine does not end up on your bench too! I had only ever seen pictures of six string ukuleles prior to making this one, so never heard or held one, let alone studied what others did to counter the extra tension. I did not realise they were common enough to have have a couple reach your bench for repairs. Hopefully my take on construction proves to be enough. Time will tell, but testing and initial impressions are good.

John - The tuners are "Pegheds", as in, that is their trade name. They are not a traditional violin style friction peg, but so called mini 'planetary geared' tuners. They are 4:1 ratio I believe, which seems coarse, but works very well. I found them quick and easy to tune with no "noticeable slip". The only thing I did find is that a couple of them 'felt' a little more difficult or 'rough' to turn than the others - but they all did their job admirably. I don't believe Stewmac stock them - you get them direct from the maker.

Thanks again all.

Jeremy.

There is a bit to installing PegHeads correctly. They require a tapered hole and you will need a violin peg taper reamer. I got mine out of China at a fraction of what StewMac wants.

Several places that I know of getting PegHeads, with simply outstanding service from Bill Thompson at PegHeds.net. He's not the maker, but I believe one of the biggest distributors.

There is also a bewildering variety of options on PegHeads. And they are not an inexpensive option. I charge an upgrade price on using them as do many other builders. They are very light, so good on soprano's and concerts. The gear ratio is only 4:1 so not all that fine, but a lot better than plain friction tuners.

Allan is on the money with that link. I had a quick look for it last night but could not locate it. Bill @ Pegheds.net is indeed where I sourced this set of Pegheds.

There are many options to choose from and more being created. This set is one of the latest incarnations - it has a new cut and finish to the knobs that gives them an enhanced ebony look and feel.

For the latest info, try their facebook page. I believe they update that the most frequently - http://www.facebook.com/Pegheds

Cheers,

Jeremy.

Thanks Allen & Jeremy for the info! So, are they a friction fit, or do they come with an anchoring nut?
Chiz

May have answered my own question by looking at the FB images; seems there is a thread machined into the outside of shaft.

Like this:

The ones I have are a very fine thread (something like 40 tip) and you are recommended to put a dab of glue on the threads prior to installing them. Like I said, they are a bit of a task to get to fit well. You have to ream that hole just the perfect amount or they will not seat deep enough, or just a hair too much and they will come through too far.

There is also a right side and left side, and it's impossible to tell the difference just by looking at them. Unless your eyes are a lot better than mine.

A bit late but what a knock out!

Jeremy, what were the sides like to bend? Did you have any problems? What thickness were the sides? Sorry for all the questions, i started a Ziricote OM today and want to make sure i don't bugger the sides when it's time to bend. A lot of info out there says Ziricote is very brittle, did you find that? Thanks Wayne

When I've used it (4 times now) I bend at 1.8mm thick and it's really quite stubborn to bend. No fractures or splits, just really tough. LIke many tropical hardwoods, it bleeds resins from the heat and steam. It can be difficult to glue as well. It's one of the woods I don't use HHG on.

Well, much as Allen has said.

I've done a few in Ziricote now. My sides were all about 1.8mm when bent too. Bending itself went without a hitch with a heat blanket on form - that is, no fractures or creasing etc, though as Allen says, it is tougher. It does not just 'want' to bend as other timbers do. But mostly I would have said no issue and approach in the same manner as for other timbers. There was a bit more 'springback' than with some, requiring some hand finishing on the pipe.

There is no doubt it is a brittle timber. I'm not sure how you intend to bend it, but if it is by hand - pay special care to supporting the ends of the sides. If you apply uneven pressure anywhere here and 'twist' the end at all, you may find it wanting to split.

It is also prone to cracks apparently, but if glued in a suitable environment you should be fine. I've had no issues and it's beauty makes it worth the effort.

Good luck.

Jeremy.

Oh and PS - Thanks Bill!

That`s beautiful Jeremy.

Thanks Jeremy, Allen. I'm going to use a heat blanket to bend it so hopefully i'll have no issues. I'll make sure i thickness them to at least 1.8mm. I've glued the back plates together with titebond, gave them a good wipe with acetone and left them for about 4 hours before unclamping seems to be ok. Thanks again guys. Wayne

I've never had any luck at all with acetone. It seems to contaminate the surface rather than get it clean. I just make sure that I've scraped or freshly planed the glueing faces first.

Hi Jeremy, I don't know why, but I have not seen this one before. What a beauty!

May I ask, what kind of material did you use for the tie block borders?

Cheers,