Hi Here’s the backpacker uke my daughter made for me. The link I’m using is: https://circuitsandstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/concert-travel-ukulele-template.pdf. (I.e. This isn’t ideal for backpacking, but for car camping it’s not a problem. A few minutes of preparation can save you the headache and price tag that accompanies a broken instrument. If you are headed to warm, humid climates, you will need to dehumidify your case. Home ( Log Out /  I like to use bigger fretwire for the 0 fret. https://www.google.com/amp/s/circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2016/12/09/backpacker-ukulele-waiting-list/amp/?client=safari, Since your need is time-sensitive, we might be able to work something out. I’ve even used tenor strings. Read our About Acoustic Soprano Ukulele Build PLANS AVAILABLE. There is no guarantee what will happen in the great outdoors. Below is a guest post by Colleen Kinsey that will guide you to protecting a guitar or Ukulele in the backcountry, and a few tips on which model might be best for your travels. I always am working on some project or another… whether it is a musical instrument or something else depends on my current mood. Even if you aren’t banging your guitar or uke around, one of biggest enemies for a wooden instrument is the weather. First off, thanks much for the inspiration! I am thinking of making one of these… I am wondering what your thoughts would be on using a top soundboard in addition to the back one, and having the bridge mount to it rather than across and attached to the thicker sides? That said, you’ll want a mighty one to keep up with you while you’re moving around. I would assume that this approach would give a bit more volume… I suppose the tuners would have to be adjusted to fit properly in that case; is that why you went with this design? It’s loud enough for practice, but most people are going to have their “normal uke” at home. As an alternate to your expensive guitar at home, consider investing in a smaller version that’s more compact and easy to take with you. You can’t get much smaller than your average uke size. I’ve thought about adding some kind of soundboard too. Are you using concert sized strings or soprano? When you hit cold, dry weather you will want to humidify the inside of your case with a humidifier containing hydrogel. Having your instrument out in the hot sun is also dangerous. Colleen loves to travel and spread music education wherever she goes. The extra cushion will protect the instrument in case you hit a giant pothole while you’re off-roading in your car, or take a tumble on your hike. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. https://youtu.be/enNepO55D9I, You can buy 1 at a time here. Daniel Zweier is Editor-in-Chief of Backpackers.com. Hello, this ukulele looks perfect for the trip I am embarking on in April. Send an email to circuitsandstrings@gmail.com. I took my travel ukulele design and cut off the back portion. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The heat from the sun can melt the varnish on the wood. She routed it out of one piece of oak and added a teak fingerboard. I also omitted the pickup and jack. Good luck! If you follow this website, you know that my Travel Ukulele plans are popular. I’ve used both larger feet wide for some builds and normal sized for others and both work fine. Just make sure that you either build an access door, or make the back removable. The main wood is maple and the back piece is basswood. You did a great job with the rest. My friend Pat Hawley encouraged me to try to build a ukulele.. Having an experienced guitar builder such as Pat to turn to for advice gave me the courage to build one. Colleen has a passion for guitars and ukuleles, enjoys jamming, teaching, and getting others involved in music. Good luck with your project. Make sure to read up on the resources below (and others), which will help with protection, instrument choice, and what exactly you could be singing around that campfire. This uke has a concert scale length (15″) but the overall length is just 17.5″. This will give you extra protection against instrument catastrophes. This way, should mayhem arise, no tears will be shed if your precious guitar or ukulele is destroyed. No s’mores while backpacking, but that jam session is all the richer for your isolation. This ukulele is a variation of that design. Ok, so its Christmas 2013 and this project is a long time coming! Extreme changes can cause the fretboard to warp, seams to open, cracks in the wood, or the pegboard to lose its grip. Try printing it in “poster” style at 100% size. It’s beautiful looking and I’m intrigued with it. Hit jast sew yure youtube video and i want to buy a travel ukulele jast like the one here! Visit his website if you want to learn more about his authorial pursuits. I used bass fretwire for the 0 fret, and guitar fretwire for the rest. But once I got started, I experimented with how I could build it without … How with basic tools? Nov 30, 2016 - This Pin was discovered by Alan Mackintosh. Backpackers.com is a participant in multiple affiliate programs, including Amazon Services LLC. What am I missing? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); © 2020 Backpackers.com. I dunno… so many projects, so little time… . I kept the basic shape of your design, but adjusted the proportions to fit my preferences. Instead of taking the risk and exposing your $1,000 guitar to the elements, consider getting a cheaper, lighter version to take with you on your adventures. Any for sale? The template picture does not give spacing guides for the frets. Sorry for the late reply. I’m still wworking my way down the waiting list. 4 steel strings, tuned DGBE, 24″ scale length… check it out at https://hackaday.io/project/26034-cigarbox-ish-guitar for pictures and (so far) a couple short sound sample videos. Thanks, Daniel. Guide To Camping Or Backpacking With A Guitar Or Ukelele. Hi there, Images in order: Silhouetted Men via Pixabay, Busker in Berkeley by D Coetzee via Flickr; All Guitars and Ukuleles courtesy respective manufacturers, All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. I took my travel ukulele design and cut off the back portion. A number of the rules below overlap for camping and backpacking, but with the latter you’ll want to take even more care, and take a smaller instrument. If not, changing strings will be a nightmare. Look for silicon packets that can be placed inside your sound hole. I’ll be sure to keep you updated with what I end up doing. Not sure what kind of weather you’re about to encounter? Building a ukulele. Pingback: Travel Ukulele (3D Model Files) | Circuits and Strings. This ukulele is heading on an epic trek. This absorbs any moisture and prevents the wood of the instrument from getting moldy or damaged. I’ll post again when I’m done. If you’re lucky, a couple s’mores are warming up for when the song’s over. I’m excited to see what you make. I also omitted the pickup and jack. You still need to be able to change strings. It will also prevent your case from popping open at a less than favorable part of your journey. other hikers and campers along the way that also have their instrument in tow, Busker in Berkeley by D Coetzee via Flickr, The Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking of 2020. ( Log Out /  You can’t get much smaller than your average uke size. I found this really interesting and I will try to do it this summer but I’m a little bit confused with the 0 fret, is the same size of the others? This will ensure no moisture leaks into the case. Her website, Coustii, focuses specifically on guitars and ukes. I am currently contemplating doing another ukulele, applying the things that I have learned in this one, although this time it would be a larger one (probably baritone) with a more traditional design… although I recently heard about tenor guitars (4 string guitar around the same size as a baritone uke, with steel strings) and am wondering how much more difficult that would be (the steel strings would obviously apply more tension, requiring a stronger design). your own Pins on Pinterest Look into getting a hygrometer. There are plenty of hygrometers made specifically for wooden instruments, and they aren’t too expensive either, so consider this as an investment if you plant to be camping a lot. I do have a home ukulele, but I want one for camping / backpacking, and something like your design looks like it would fit the bill very well. The bridge and turnaround were fabricated using the scrap wood. – Matt’s Woodworking Blog. Good point on the string changes… I’ll have to make sure I think that through. I’d love to see a picture of your uke. That’s why I’ve ultimately opted to just have the back piece. Your idea should work just fine. The smallest size is the concert ukulele, which is also the most popular. I hope to make a batch this fall. Requiring an amp definitely make a ukulele less portable. ( Log Out /  I am hiking 2,660 miles from Mexico to Canada via the Pacific Crest Trail and am in search of an ultra light instrument. I’ve purchased my materials and I’m excited to get my project started. Did you put a back on it? Recommended Travel Ukulele. The turnaround is a tattoo grip. Beyond orchestrating the daily flow of Backpackers.com, Daniel writes surrealistic short fiction and novels, adventures into the backcountry and abroad, surfs, reads, drinks tea, and obsesses over gear. There are a couple measures you can take. Our mission is to empower all walks of life to be ambassadors of the outdoors. The humidity, or lack thereof, causes the wood of your stringed instrument to swell or shrink (respectively). Discover (and save!) You won’t get quite the sound, but it’s compact and lightweight as they come. If you are selling these I would love to purchase one for my trip. Pingback: Making a home made travel ukulele. Hi David. Mine is daniel.hulbert, Pingback: Construction of the Travel Ukulele begins! When precipitation is eminent, I’ve found this trick really keeps your gear dry. Just an update, I am (mostly) finished my latest instrument. – Matt’s Woodworking Blog, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” Travel Ukulele. noticed that the PDF is set to one page print…can you upload a full-size two page printable to use as a template? Change ), Building a Travel Ukulele | Circuits and Strings, Travel Ukulele (3D Model Files) | Circuits and Strings, http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Pro-Aluminum-Alloy-Non-slip-Lightweight-Tattoo-Machine-Grips-w-Tube-/232089444250?var=&hash=item36099bdf9a:m:mRfADa4qZZ9oD9FfTKs5Ueg, https://www.google.com/amp/s/circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2016/12/09/backpacker-ukulele-waiting-list/amp/?client=safari, https://hackaday.io/project/22273-ukulele-building, https://hackaday.io/project/26034-cigarbox-ish-guitar, https://circuitsandstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/concert-travel-ukulele-template.pdf, Construction of the Travel Ukulele begins! Beautiful design and the compass is a nice touch. Put duct tape around the seal and the hinges. Those taking instruments on a backpacking trip should consider a lightweight, rugged soft case, and potentially bringing a uke instead of guitar. You either build an access door, or make the back and where the headstock would normally.... 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