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neck and setup specs for concert uke
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 10:55 am
by Kary Karahadian
I've played one ukulele in my life so i don't have much to go on. what are some standard parameters for 1) string heights above fret at 12th, and 2) saddle height off top?
Re: neck and setup specs for concert uke
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 4:27 pm
by Rob Collins
I aim for 2.5-3mm air gap between the string and the fret crown at the 12th fret. (I use a drill bit as a gauge).
My bridges are usually about 7-8 mm tall with the saddle protruding by 2.5mm or so.
Re: neck and setup specs for concert uke
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 4:45 pm
by Kary Karahadian
Thanks. do you radius your fret boards? they're so small, not sure it would make any difference.
Being a classical player, I'm struck by how narrow uke necks are. other than convention, why not make them a bit wider for ease of playing?
Re: neck and setup specs for concert uke
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2016 8:20 am
by Chris Reed
My numbers are like Ron's. I use flat fretboards.
The string spacing on a uke is usually 8.5-9 mm, the same as a classical guitar. You can build a neck as wide as you like, but most players find this spacing comfortable. The string spacing doesn't have to match the neck width, so you could build a wide neck with normal spacing, but it would look odd.
Re: neck and setup specs for concert uke
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 5:07 pm
by Kary Karahadian
Thanks for the info. Being a newbie to bolt on necks (up to this point, i've built all my guitars with Spanish heels) and ukuleles i'm going to let the questions keep rolling.
I'm planning on a bolt on, butt neck body join. would one 10/24 insert be enough? 1/4" seems to big. two inserts seems overkill for the low tension on this instrument (?)
Re: neck and setup specs for concert uke
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 12:12 am
by Clay Schaeffer
Some people use a glued butt joint neck - no bolt. Depending on the size of the uke (soprano) you may not need much in the way of neck attachment.
Re: neck and setup specs for concert uke
Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 10:10 am
by Kary Karahadian
that makes life simple!
thanks