Formica is a light weight material that is relatively weatherproof and also easy to work, but acoustically not great (not bad as a reflector), so for back and sides of a backpacker not a bad choice. Western red cedar is rot resistant, dimensionally stabile, and with a modicum of care makes a good soundboard. I have used plastic garbage bags to protect instruments from rain while hiking - lightweight, waterproof, multipurpose. LMII has plans for a parlor guitar which are fairly small. Ukes are fun to build and fun to play - I can see a guitalele in my future. It might be where you research eventually points you.
|