Ukulele: An Illustrated Workshop Manual

The Ukulele is the first comprehensive book on building all styles of ukulele, from the little soprano ukuleles of 19th century Hawai'i to concert, tenor and baritone sizes. The book will lead the first-time ukulele builder through the various steps of crafting a ukulele with detailed written information complemented by nearly 350 photographs and diagrams. Full size plans of all the ukuleles are available to download and print. A full list of tools, hardware and timber required is included. The first chapters are devoted to making the individual parts of a ukulele. These are followed by chapters which focus on combining those parts into completed instruments. Various finishing methods are canvased and there is detailed information of setting up the instrument for optimal playability. Three different methodologies are used for the assembly of the instruments, and these methods can be mixed and matched as the reader desires. There are options for using power or hand tools for most procedures. Author Graham McDonald has almost 40 years of experience building stringed musical instruments and has published two books on the construction of mandolin family instruments, as well as The Mandolin, a highly acclaimed history of the mandolin around the world.