Tahitian Influenced 8 String Ukulele Build
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 มิ.ย. 2016
- A over the shoulder view of my 8 String 'Kohoi' build in the 'shed'. Made mostly from upcycled Rimu. Influenced by Tahitian/ Cook Island Ukulele/Banjo's, with my own design and scale length.
Basic plans here: mikehawkey.com/projects/kohoi...
Music by longzijun ('Hidden Place' and 'Dreams') - Thanks. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Beautiful instrument! Awesome work!
Thanks!
I know Im kind of off topic but do anyone know a good place to watch newly released movies online ?
@Konnor Zayn try flixzone. You can find it on google :)
You can look at three things endlessly: how the fire burns, how the water flows, and how others work. ;)))
Nice quote! - my viewing habits would totally agree! Thanks for stopping by
Fantastic! It makes my CBGs seem crude. I think I learned a few new things watching that build. Thanks.
thanks for the kind words. cigar box guitars rock. something I'll build another of when i get time.
Oh my god, that is gorgeous! Great work, mike!
Thanks!
Great job and a fine video. I admire how you did it all- even cutting your own fret slots. Beautiful finish on the wood.
Thanks. After a bit of practice fret slots are not so daunting. I think the measure measure cut rule works well there (As I found on an earlier project where I had mis-measured somehow...).
Have returned from Papeete, Tahiti a few weeks ago and was totally in awe of the locals playing these instruments. Don’t have the tools or talent to build one but should have bought one when I was there! This is indeed a huge project and you did this beautifully.
Thank you! Depending where you are in the world, there is a guy on Facebook, Asonu, whom produces some amazing looking instruments for sale. They are a fun instrument to play.
Excelente
Your videos are fun to watch. Nice edit and really cool builds! Great work.
thanks!
Wonderful! Beautiful! Wow!
Awesome! This is briliant design with en edge :) Thanks for sharing!
Zvika Dror thanks!
Cool! I love 8 stringed ukuleles!
You make amazing Ukes man, and a CB200 in your garage too, you have exceedingly good taste sir !
Lots of ideas and tips in that video, thank you for posting.
No problem
Looks awesome! It has a very cool percussion sound to it too.
Thanks!
Very good, fantastic, superb!
Thank you!
Watched from start to finish. Stunning instrument. My son bought me an eight stringed carved Fijian ukelele with the fishing green luminous strings when he was in Fiji. It sounds so different from my soprano uke. I will have to learn to play it like you. Wonderful.
Thanks. They are a different sound, but I do really like them. I used to play in a little group and the different tone was quite complimentary. Enjoy yours!
GREAT JOB .. You make it look easy :-)
beautiful. I really like the design of the headstock
Thanks. Often the Tahitian style has the reverse of this, but I think this way aligns strings better, and felt right to me design wise.
Looks and sounds really bloody good! Great work! :)
Thanks!
Hermoso instrumento, gran trabajo
Nice job, well done, nice result !
Cheers!
Maravilloso trabajo amigo.
this is the most impressive thing i’ve ever witnessed
Thanks. One go my favourite builds still.
Beautiful work, brethren!
Cheers!
Whenever I could hear Queen in the background I thought I was hallucinating, I heard extracts from at least 4 songs
Apart from not really working with final edits, I wish I could just have my music running throughout as I listened to it when building... but alas copywrite.
awesome job man
Thanks!
Beautiful!
Thanks
So nice
I like what you did with the peg head. Very cool.
The CB200 is a nice bike in flat country. I had one. Didn't like hills or headwinds, but on the flats it was a sweetheart.
Thanks Claude. Yes, the CB200 was my father's from new. He rode it a few years and then put it under his house. I cleaned it up (a lot) and put it back on the road a few years back. As you say, not the strongest performer in hills and headwinds, but a fun little bike for local riding (which is all I tend to do).
sweet job
Thanks!
really awesome.
Thanks Daniel!
Awesome! I love it
Thanks!
Total zen inside and out
Thanks!
Thank you..Master Luthier Mike...
To kind, but thank you! :)
Thank you, Mike - using your supplied drawings, my last (PNW) winter project turned out be a wonderful learning experience. African Mahogany, sound board of curly Maple and imitation red abalone fret dots - I call mine "A au hi" FIRE. Credited you on my Facebook Roger King/Ukulele Build Project.
Sounds nice! - great that you did a build based on the drawings. Thanks!
Congrats!
It sounds very similar to a charango.
Greetings from Chile.
good job it's awesome
Thanks!
Glad you got that laundry footage. I would have been worried the whole time about whether your clothes got dry.
I know right ;)
nice video, very good job, in this time of tecnologie, to make a manual job is fantastic.
Thank you
awesome video and very cool bike!!
thanks!
Love the stile man
Thanks!
Absolutely gorgeous. I've begun work on one, copying your design. My skills are still crude but I'm learning.
Great! - all skills start somewhere. Hope it goes well!
@@MikeHawkey here it is - music.paullieberman.net/content/home-made-tahitian-style-uke -
que lindo, hermoso su sonido
Du talent !! Super travail !! Je vais essayer d’en faire un moi aussi, merci pour cette vidéo !!
Bonne chance et merci!
wow wow so cool
ALLEN MORGAN thanks!
MASHAALLAH khub valo
Dhan'yabāda
so beautiful looking, but really tinn y sound.
A few factors at play - one being my Sony's less than perfect sound recording. But the high CE tuning and very small volume for sound makes this a typical characteristic of Tahitian Ukuleles. If you youtube a few other production models, mine sounds the same in person - I just may not have captured on film. Thanks!
Really enjoyed you Video. You have done really nice job I make Ukulele on CNC Might have to write a program to cut one of those , looks cool Thanks
Sounds fun! thanks for the comment.
Nice...I love the 8 strings! Great job....I want to make a baritone one!! You don't happen to have any plans do you?
Sounds good. Hope the build goes well! - here is a basic plan one could scale for baritone: mikehawkeydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/kohoi-8-string-by-mike-hawkey.pdf thanks for stopping by!
Would love to see and hear one of those as a baritone with the tuning DGBE . . . or how about adopting the 12 string idea for a uke with, say, the DG strings as octaves?
Now THERE'S a project.
Great job. Very unusual.
Thanks! I like the idea (and would dread my limited playing skill sound demo haha)
Great movie! It's so hard to find Tahitian Ukes, especially in Europe. At the end, I've ordered one custom made in Indonesia (Pelem Ukuleles). I use fishing line (Fluor Carbon) 0.45mm/30lbs. What type of "strings" do you use? I love the sharp sound from yours, mine is a little warmer which I normally like, but hey it's a Tahitian Uke, so it should sound snappy (if that's the right word for it 🙂 ).
Thanks! I had 25lbs fluro (fishing) on this one. The body is on the far end of slim which I think adds to the ‘snappiness’. This one is with a new owner, but i miss it so have plans for a new version I will make after I complete a handful of other projects!
Wasn't expecting the Holden sheet over the bike but uke looks rad
Cheers. Yeah, sheet was just something laying around I used for dust cover...been intending to make a custom one for years now!
If you could build an 10 strings (5x2) ukulele, it becomes into charango.
One day maybe!
awesome 👍
thanks
Thanks!
Great job, I'm impressed! Just one question: where did you order the frets?
SwissHeadbanger thanks. In this case I ordered from stewmac, but lots of sellers on ebay. also if you have a local guitar shop or repairer they should have some. On a budget I have also made them from wire and nails in the past.
Nice!
Thank you!
That sounds really beautiful! And it looks great? Is there somewhere a person can find plans or instructions to make one?
Thanks. Still one of my favourites that I will rebuild again in the future as this one found a new home. Very basic plan here: mikehawkeydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/kohoi-8-string-by-mike-hawkey.pdf Good luck with build!
It's a beautiful build! What was the song you were playing at the end, however? I'd love to give it a try on my own uke, or if you have the chords to it.
Hi. Thanks. The two main ones I played at the end were one of my own little ditties im half done on, and then a version of when I'm 64 (which is prob the one you are looking for)- tabs should be on one of the main free uke tab sites; but I can dig out if you can't find. Cheers
Awesome vid and amazing build! Great tone and the volume is very impresive!Three questions if I may. What adhesive are you using to attach the backplate and what adhesive for the nut and bridge? Most importantly to me is what stain are you using? Right now I'm in love with boiled linseed oil but I need to expand my horizons.
Hi, glue wise the back was polyurethane glue . I've generally moved away from using it, but it has its benefits. Nut was from memory superglue /cyanoacrylate. Finish was thinned down polyurethane varnish. Lately I'm quite liking linseed beeswax paste. Not as protective but feels great and applies easy (and looks good). Thanks
Thanks sooo much! I am digging your other videos as well. Sparking my creative juices for sure!
Thanks!
beautiful!!! great job!!! Do you have the plans in pdf to share? I would love to be able to make one similar to yours
Hi, Sorry for delay - I keep meaning to link plans in the description, which I have now done. Good luck with your build!
Awesome work, question what size/type string is that can you show me a picture of the strings you have
Hi. Following traditional Tahatian uke builds, strings are 20lb fluorocarbon aka quality fishing line. Actually the same material as many strings on the market. Approximately the diameter of the A string. Thanks!
Nice
Thanks!
dude thats so cool omg i want it hahaha do you ever sell any of your products?
Thanks. Occasionally I do. This one is actually one such example. Sellers remorse - I'll have to make version 2.0 haha
hey mike, awesome video! just a little question. whats de diametre of that hole saw? thanks
Thanks. 99% I used my largest which is 130mm. If you had a router however, its not too difficult to make a jig or template up to cut that size or larger. Thanks.
Beautiful work. Complements. Can you tell me what the nut is made of. Thanks
Many thanks. Nut made from bone on this unit. Thanks.
Could you make the template available for download? Specifically the fret board.
Thanks!
Hi, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page of my Mk1 version (linked below) you will see the plan for the one built in the video (print 100% PDF + can also check against measurements in the chart on the PDF): mikehawkey.com/projects/kohoi-aka-slim-jim-8-string-tahitian-style-uke/
how much time did you take to make this ukulele ? because i want to make one or two with a swiss friend that is good with the wood, thanks for your answer.
HI. I made it over several weeks outside of work and when free in weekends.
Planned right with two on the job and depending on glue and finish one might be able to build over a long weekend. Good luck!
Beautiful work brother. Where are you based?
Thank you. I’m down in New Zealand.
How thick do you normally make the bodies? Is it 1inch thick stock your using or is it 3/4 inch thick stock?
We are technically in metric here, not that that matters- I'd use 1 inch if available and do away with a separate back plate, routing out the sound cavity. But 3/4 with backplate added is possibly the easier construction route so also fine. Thicker will give you more volume but the high octave tuning can come with thin also . Good luck with build!
what is strings size or all r same size?
buenas como se llama el instrumento.? gracias..
Hi! I love your stuff! Is there anywhere where you sell it? I would love to have something like this
Hi, I occasionally sell bits and pieces but nothing currently sorry.
So it's basically a madouke mandolin ukulele that's badass
Pretty much. The core difference is the tuning of GGCCEEAA vs the mando GGDDAAEE and also that its fluorocarbon vs steel string. Some also refer to these as Tahitian Banjo's. Ultimately, they are all closely related instruments - the Tahitian Ukulele is just a very new sibling in the family tree. Thanks.
Would it have been easier to use Mandolin Tuning Pegs? I guess possibly, but that would be beyond your scope of upcycling what you have. Great build!
Absolutely. I might just do that in the future on a v3.0. Budget wise I think the singles can be picked up cheaper and with some more design options (for the price), but getting a 4 a side tuning setup would make for easier mounting. Thanks!
the mando-ukule-lin
I always liked 'mandolele', myself.
@@moosetopherrobin6147 shit thats better
I do notice that you have just used a piece of wood you had lying around. You wouldn't happen to know what type of wood and where you would get it or something similar would you? From NZ as well and I love this design. I made one using this design using just some standard timber but definitely doesn't look as good as yours. Also made it as one and sanded away
Hi, It was some probably 30-40 year old Rimu from the house - just nice old wood. One up cycled way of getting wood like it is old perhaps damaged furniture no one wants. There are some specialist wood suppliers around, but you do pay for it. Occasionally on Trademe, smaller bits good for projects like this sold too. Cool to hear you have made one. Still one of my favourites of all the designs Ive made. Thanks!
Awesome ukulele what kind of strings do you use
HI, fluorocarbon strings on this unit. Could use any say 'a' strings on all, or buy some quality fishing line fluorocarbon -20pound strength. Thanks.
Very cool. What did you use for strings?
Thanks. Strings are fluorocarbon aka fishing line 20lb. Although Im sure different grade, a lot of uke strings on the market are also flurocarbon - just usually a more sedate color. From what I gather all traditional Tahitian Uke's use fishing line - but that was probably more an availability thing than technical choice.
nice!
Thanks
you sell?
I occasionally sell when I need to make space for new ones at home I build. Nothing to sell at the moment sorry.
alright thanks
Awesome instrument. How long did it take to build?
[57th]_Col_搾乳される thanks! I built it over the course of a few weeks in between work and family duties. depending on one's skill levels I think it could be largely done over a long weekend - depending on finish choice and glue type.
pretty :3
Thanks!
Lindo proyecto lindo instrumento te felicito gran trabajo
Great job what's the neck width of your uke?? Pls
Hi. Sorry, i dont have this instrument in my possession anymore, but if you scroll partway down my site here there are to scale pdf plans. If wider than a standard 4 string, only just a little. mikehawkey.com/projects/kohoi-aka-slim-jim-8-string-tahitian-style-uke/
What kind of strings did you use? It's sounds very cool
Thanks. Strings are fluorocarbon - which is used both for some brands of ukulele strings, but also monofilament fishing line. Traditional Tahitian ukuleles use fishing line. From memory 20-39lb strength.
What makes this a Uke instead of a Mando? It's a very nice piece.
Tuning and string type is the main difference really in ggcceeaa. Thanks!
OK,thanks
Arthur i have a plan were going to TAHITI we just need MUNEH
¿What was the white thing you worked near the end? I thought it was marble, then i thought it was some polymer.. But i dunno jsjk
Hi, its bone, but any solid material will work - even hardwood. Thanks for the views.
Mike Hawkey ohh, i have never worked bone before, thats why i didn't knew what it was, thanks for the reply, keep up with the inspiring videos :》
No wonder, I cant make my own, needs a hundred over tools and parts
But why it has a metallic sound??
With a modification of the plans, it could be made with a simple coping saw (of if have power, a cheap jigsaw) and 1 drill bit + sandpaper on a block. Easiest way with those tools would be to make a one piece neck/body - just adding a back piece when you cut out the sound hole. Would take longer, but very possible. Maybe I'll take up that challenge one day. Sound - its a very thin sound area and quite high octave tuning. Also sounds vastly different whether you have sound hole against body or away from it. Thanks!
Крутая получилась балалайка!
большое спасибо
could you share the measurements of the spaces between the strings(the bigger and the smaller gaps)? Going to try make my own but not sure how ill space out the strings, thanks! :)
May have figured it out, 6mm between each pair and 4mm in the middle of the pair? could work right? hahah
Nice one. I originally based on a 4 string neck with the gap being where the string would lay. You could even narrow between the pairs a little more. Mine are close to a 2mm gap once all installed but not far off 4mm when you cut and take string thickness into consideration. Good luck with build!
Thank you :)
Que medidas tiene?
what are your strings tuned to?
Hi - ggcceeaa tuning. Same as a standard ukulele, but the c and e are octave's higher than usual.
How do you tie the string at the bottom?
Hi, its got a metal loop at the bottom that you tie to. Older traditional units sometimes had a peg doing the same.
very nice,the are strings thread or wire?
thanks - Fluorocarbon strings (non wire).
Hi Mike. I built one a couple of years ago using this "hole straight through" principle instead of the traditional carved-out-bowl. It's so much easier! I used a circular soundboard as well as a circular backboard. I think yours looks more elegant, but then my soundboard is painted black & my body painted red for a different effect! I left my bridge floating so I can adjust the intonation. I've used fishing line for strings. Is that what you're using? I do like the tone of these Tahitian ukes, but you can't get them here in the uk, so I had to make my own. I don't have the equipment that you've got, so mine are a bit more crude, but improving. I think the next one might be best... I might pinch your design for string anchor - I've used 4 nails or screws up to now, but they tend to get in the way a bit. Thanks for this vid.
Hi, thanks for watching and telling me about yours! Feel free to take the anchor design - it just felt more tidy to me. Hole through is a lot easier than carving. That said, if you had a router, making a template for a hole cuter not quite through is also an option. I did it in reverse on this unit (well sort of - not a circle):mikehawkey.com/projects/wurhui-wolfie/
I have found 20 pound line for the 8 stringers pretty good. Cheers
Ukulele ficou bunito parese a quele estrumento antigo que chama alaude parese
Talvez um dia eu construa.
One tip if you carved whit a foster bit the hole body and just por a tap sounds even deper right there you a waistline half of the Sound leaving so mush wood unused detween mauth and neck give it some day a try and instead of one hole just try to carv everything inside leaving 1/4 of an inch all the contour of the body and put a aveto tap or ceder bout very sonorous woods you are going to noticed a big very big sound quality change , excellent job if yo ever come to Baja cal plis stop by .
Many thanks. Ive made something similar to what you describe for a friend (no video). This design was keeping with the Cook Island design tradition, but agreed, for a different and fuller sounds, bigger cavity. Being the tuning is quite high octave on these, they carry sound surprisingly well for a small cavity - bass would be useless though.
Wow
Thanks for the wow
Hi Mike, what is the wood you used for make this Ukulele?
hi andre. for this unit I used rimu and merbau. soundboard was a 2.5/3mm laminate of unknown origin. Thanks.
Thanks mike, it was a beautiful work.
What kind of glue is used in instrument making?
HI. lots of traditional instruments made with hide glue or occasionally fish glue. many electric and mass produced use various general wood glues. this instrument uses general wood glue. hide glue can be heated and taken apart for repair easier. thanks.
Do you happen to sell these or 4-string Ukes?
Hi, Sorry, I don't generally sell - only when I need to raise funds for new projects. Nothing at the moment. I really like this guys work, and semi-regularly on facebook he seems to have new ones for sale: www.asonu.com