Official Luthiers Forum!

Since I've only made steel string guitars before with domed soundboards and a slight neck angle, this was my initial thought when planning the u bass project.

My question is, is this necessary on a low tension instrument like the u bass?

Can I leave the soundboard flat and have a straight neck as per a classical guitar?

What is the norm folks?

Cheers

Steve.

On a uke I usually use a flat top, though Martins had a slight dome and some of the top makers dome their tops.

The U basses I've seen definitely had flat tops.

Neck angle depends on fingerboard thickness and bridge height, so I'd start from these plus your desired action at the 12th and then work out the angle from that. You might need a slight back angle, or be able to go flat, depending on your choices.

Cheers Chris,

So no fixed approach; that's good to know. I'll build it as I would a guitar and see how it goes.

Do people fit truss rod to ukes?

Regards

Steve

Truss rods are practically unknown. Some fit carbon fibre reinforcement, most don't bother (but for a U Bass? Pretty low tension, so I wouldn't).

Rob Collins at Hebden Bridge (tinguitar.com) makes excellent ukes, so if you need supplies he's your local man.

Thanks again Chris.

No truss rod then. Saves a bit of time and cost.

It never ceases to surprise me how many instrument makers there are locally. Never come across Rob Collins before, but good to know he's there.

I think I have everything now, I struggled to find tuning machines in th UK so I've ordered some from the US.

All the best

Steve