How To Make a Homemade Ukulele

I made a homemade ukulele for my nephew, Judd. It's intermediate between a cigar box instrument and a traditionally made one in terms of build quality and complexity.
Free Templates - Makify.com/stuff/Ukulele_Templ...
Helmholtz Resonance - newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/Helmh...
Supplies:
(following these Amazon links and buying anything helps fund this channel)
Spray adhesive - amzn.to/1o2yQJe
Stanley Surform Tool - amzn.to/1KUh1kv
Dremel Sanding Kit - amzn.to/1UGp75G
Epoxy - amzn.to/1o2zJkW
Tung Oil Finish - amzn.to/1KnECPE
Tuning Pegs - amzn.to/2rNUXFS
Ukulele Strings - amzn.to/1o2AGtG
Lanikai LU-21 - amzn.to/1nO9mzt
Twitter - / makify1
Website - Makify.com
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[@MsJessieTomlinson]

I would die to have my uncle spend this much time making this for me

[@imsorry3648]

Jelly Y my uncles are dead

[@aanikaur4164]

+Cy Derp ironic, much?

[@stevenhuang4674]

+Cy Derp spiderman?

[@sellihoozhun]

no ukulele for you

[@redcr33perproductions]

Jelly Y I bet your uncle loves making things

[@robertjzhao]

Somehow I find it very refreshing to watch a ukulele being made from scratch.

[@kevinflugge5331]

that plot twist at the end, when you realise that he played the backgroundmusic of the entire video with the ukulele...

[@luxas9454]

and you gived me a spoiler ;--;

[@gameboy8220]

That plot twist at the end, when you realise that he video the played of entire ukulele with the background music...

[@S3CT0R49]

I like how you made it without trying to make it look like another generic ukulele. Awesome job!

[@ScrapwoodCity]

It came out awesome! Using nails as frets was awesome I thought they wouldn't be strong but if you managed to you use the file on them I guess they are pretty strong! To increase it's loudness I would suggest thinner top (made of pine, cedar or spruce) with supportive braces just like a guitar. Plywood does not vibrate nicely and as a result it is quiet! Overall I really enjoyed the video! Greeeeeeat work! I love DIY instruments!

[@Makify1]

+Scrap wood City Thank you, I'm flattered! Good tips too. I figured the plywood wasn't the best option for the top but I went with it anyway. Next time I'll try something better.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

+Makify1 it's tone was pretty nice though! Acoustic instruments are really way more difficult from the electric ones! You did a really good job in my opinion!

[@csl9495]

What the hell made me think i was about to learn how to make one for myslef

[@Matt-eg8wr]

Chia Lee dude, take a tissue box, and a piece of cardboard, and then add elastic bands, Voila

[@sheayoung2837]

viola*

[@PILOSOPAUL]

I thought you guys were talking about the ukulele. where did the Viola come from?

[@shrek299]

+Shea Young he didn't mean. He meant vwah-lah

[@Matt-eg8wr]

Barack exactly

[@101boertjie]

Great build. To be honest, i prefer the sound of the one you built to the sound of the store-bought factory made one. Great video.

[@Makify1]

Thank you!

[@Rafaelqvist]

Awesome I've been looking for a easy ukulele build all over and now I've finally found. Imma start building this ukulele at school tomorrow I will give u and update on how it went. Thanks so much I'll defenetly subscribe. 👍

[@Makify1]

Awesome! Good luck. Can't wait for the update.

[@Rafaelqvist]

+Makify1 how high/tall are side pieces?

[@rameshtiwari7849]

goooooooood

[@Makify1]

ATM TV Just saw your last comment, it's probably too late but the sides are 2.5" tall.

[@Rafaelqvist]

Makify1 The ukulele is still in making how TALL and THICK are the bedsides in CENTIMETERS or MILIMETERS? Thanks!!

[@dejahdanger]

What a great gift, and he'll always appreciate the time and love you put into it. Awesome!

[@FlorisGerber]

that effect when we find out that the background music is actually played by you on the instrument was very well done! I had an inkling, and was really happy that indeed you did what i thought would be a cool thing to do!

[@samswiegers6266]

What a wonderful labour of love. Good looking little uke with added meaning due to the love poured into it. Smart that it's a quieter uke than usual as well. Kiddie's going to be 'practicing' a lot! Very special gift.

[@sparkspark833]

Nice tone and sustain, great job!

[@yogurtandgranola143]

I'm making this for my physics assignment for soundwaves and music. My teacher is going to be super impressed with this! Thank you for the clear guidelines! Edit: For the meme, It went really well, I got a really good grade almost 4 years ago. I still have it sitting in my garage, although the strings didn't stay tense for long without collapsing in

[@magalym4201]

Sasha Gomes howd it go

[@justinmathew5359]

Sasha Gomes howd it go

[@pelin2599]

howd it go

[@timrauch8910]

howd it go

[@hmph3262]

howd it go

[@capnskustomworks]

Nicely done, brethren!!! I hope your nephew had a blast with it!

[@lcf7662]

This is awesome! Great build!

[@dynocoach]

Perfect demonstration video. Very complete. Good explanations about why you did things the way you did! This is a very good video for beginner builders of stringed instruments. Thank you very much.

[@ProspectorBill]

Loved the bonus track. I have a 4 yr old grandson who might be getting one of these for his birthday this summer. Thanks!

[@DerekCadmus]

...and the hits keep on coming. Nicely done! Judd is going to love it

[@Makify1]

+Derek Cadmus Thanks Derek!

[@johnmitchelljr]

Nice job. Very doable with a few tools and patience. Anything worth making and keeping takes work and overcoming unexpected mistakes or problems. Anything fast and easy is disposable. Thanks for sharing.

[@lilyfrappier602]

This is a beautiful instrument!!!

[@ruibrandao3674]

thanks for the class... I learned several tricks to use in my project. Congrats!

[@mdjahidislam252]

amazing work you men

[@montyterry]

I actually applauded at the end when I saw you playing the instrument. Well done!

[@teachermarksmusictutorials824]

That was a work of love. Best uncle ever and neat little uke too!

[@Ana-gu6sg]

It looks great, good job!

[@RevolverAnthology]

well done mate! Loved the video

[@MrMilarepa108]

Love it! Amazing project especially with the limited resources!

[@gemmaskate]

This is so cool! I wish i knew someone with a woodshop!

[@ping82002]

we really appreciate this video tony . thanks so much!

[@SrikantGadicherla]

I see love in this video. Love for nephew. Love for music. Love for doing things perfectly! This came straight from my heart. You made my day bro! Thumps up! (I'm secretly hoping you can make of this for me. )

[@hilelhaleluyabenaharon6173]

Beautiful work... Amazing talent! I wish to learn that one day.

[@gubby740]

Great work dude

[@lmchoisser]

Thank you very well explained. I’m new to instrument making and love it.

[@ThePaulus2010]

Cool build!

[@davidskimin3471]

Nice job, turned out well.

[@dorenemellene2201]

That's awesome. I love the ukulele.

[@maiagarcia6526]

learn how to make a ukulele all you need is 50 machines ya I don't have that just lying around 😂😂❤

[@erogeguy8887]

You can just as easily make a uke with basic (and inexpensive) hand tools, especially if you're not bending the sides. All you really need is a hand saw (or if you wanna make your job easier, a hand saw and a coping saw), sandpaper, and clamps for gluing (which can be improvised in a pinch). The process would be mostly identical to the one in the video, just a little slower.

[@stevencsawyerss]

Eroge Guy thank you for your tip. :-)

[@GlassicGamer]

What did you think it would be made out of Popsicle sticks and hot glue :)

[@TheMindskinner]

Obviously he's a woodworker.

[@eriamalyak3547]

Lucky for me, my dad does. Unlucky for me, he wouldn’t let we use them over his dead body...

[@eledulu01]

wow!!! you did a awesome job! it looks great! congrats.

[@reneegarrido7]

This is sooo amazing!

[@Makify1]

Thank you!

[@aliklulejian8889]

I loved every second of the video!! Awsome job ! bravo 👍🏻

[@infinitesmall]

This is great I love the woodburning idea

[@joaopaulopinheiro4582]

Trabalho incrível! Parabéns!

[@bogusbandit3700]

I enjoyed watching this video. Thank you for posting it and the free plans. I will have a go at making my bro one for his birthday. Cheers.

[@MichaelLawing]

Wow -- I'm really impressed with the sound quality. Great build/video!

[@Makify1]

+Michael Lawing Thanks Michael! Glad you liked it.

[@hernanpaga]

he´s being sarcastic...

[@Makify1]

Sometimes it's better to ignore the sarcasm.

[@MichaelLawing]

+Hernán P. I wasn't. But thanks for being rude enough to think so.

[@hernanpaga]

Was a joke, thanks fo the answer

[@zeropower4051]

nice work man a really nice work

[@elpepperinogris]

beautifull work!

[@pierre5325]

Dear friend, Thanks for a very excellent video on making your wee Judd a Ukulele. Very professional audio and video. Also the friendly tone and smiles. I shall indeed try this. Blessings, pierre from New Mexico

[@lFireFlyFoxl]

It was a pleasure to watch it :)

[@kiraisamess]

This is very cool! I don’t have the time around the holidays to make this, but I’ll definitely try this sometime!

[@meezayrameez]

Oh!! Will await the new template from you soon.. Many thanks!!

[@Makify1]

+Rameez Shaikh Are you using Windows 10? I bet you are. So, here's the deal. There's nothing wrong with the pdf. The problem is with Windows 10 or the print driver in Windows 10. If I print the template from Mac OS or Windows 7, it prints perfectly but if I print from Windows 10 it prints too small. This is really annoying! The only solution I've found is to print at a custom scale of 104.23%. I don't know if that will work for all printers but it works for mine. I only have one printer to test it on. Please let me know if that works for you and I'd love to know what operating system you are using and what printer you have.

[@meezayrameez]

Well Vinnie, it was printed from a Win7 OS and from a local stationery shop with some HP printer model. However, lemme check with the custom scaling as you advised and will let you know if that works.

[@pierre5325]

Dear Mr. Vince Makify1, This is quite a lovely thing you've made, I very much enjoyed the video and your friendly conversational tone. pierre from New Mexico

[@Makify1]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it!

[@DanDDirges]

Nice work and well explained!

[@msmmr3018]

That's great you are so skilled you know what to do!

[@valveman12]

Nice Build, lucky nephew!

[@Elfstrack]

Dude you got some skillz right there ....wowwwwh

[@Cactusworkshopchannel]

Interesting calculations! Nice details in the fretboard and bridge, the threaded rod use is very cool! great job man!

[@Makify1]

+Cactus! workshop Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@Machiavelli00]

awesome job

[@crystalkashat]

Wow! you're awesome making that for your nephew! it sounds great to!

[@MollyTheUkulele]

I was so satisfied when at the end it was the build playing the whole time!

[@Makify1]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked that :)

[@hunttooley1417]

Mesmerizing. I really enjoyed this.

[@Makify1]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

[@skipapa3064]

I was VERY IMPRESSED !!!

[@ronaldooldmacdonaldo]

First good tutorial what I found on youtube👍

[@scomar6045]

Absolutly Excellent. I learned so much about woodworking from this video. 10 on 10!!!!

[@Makify1]

Wow, thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@CraftAndu]

Awesome build!

[@Makify1]

Thanks!

[@kay.7864]

ITS AMAZING ONG💖😭

[@joethompson5748]

Wow, this is amazing! Well done, and beautiful!

[@Makify1]

Thank you!

[@quinnleffingwell6628]

Looks awesome!

[@Makify1]

+Quinn Leffingwell Thanks Quinn!

[@JustClaude13]

I like the design, too. I'll have to check out the DIY lathe.

[@BruceAUlrich]

It turned out great!

[@Makify1]

+Bruce A. Ulrich Thanks Bruce!

[@darkochen9347]

AMAZING WORK DUDE!! HOLY ^^ U R A MASTER!

[@pmg7p]

Very impressive. I make Cigar Box guitars, but you are a true craftsman & an even better uncle

[@gradymay465]

AWSOME VIDEO!

[@joaqauz7087]

my god, what a job man!

[@LuthieriaDomestica]

excelente, amei o projeto. Vou fazer um.

[@jamesanthony8438]

Thanks for the info on using the nails for frets. Been wanting to try that but wasn't sure how I should go about trying to glue them in there.

[@michaelthomas4640]

Really nice dude

[@ganytheidiot5892]

How did I get here?

[@dynamitebros1858]

Same

[@mangopotatoes]

You clicked on the video.

[@karlyn238]

+Mia Magøø |-/

[@vampedtone]

Mia Magoo |-/

[@thes631]

by clicking on this video.

[@munemkhan5546]

just awesome!!

[@barryparks4838]

Fabulous. Well done

[@Makify1]

Thank you!

[@zaria.rejean]

That is so cool!

[@emersonfigueiredo8038]

this is awesome!!! great i'm no words

[@jcexotic2380]

Making 3 ukeleles in my wood shop class thing with my group and so far so well :)

[@BrunoSkylab]

I need a uke like this!

[@aaronpaterson1615]

I wanna make the body for a ukulele, as I still have the neck etcetera when my bought ukulele broke.....your video was helpful....i reckon i would burn a cool design on the front sides and back to personalise it before i varnished it....very educational lesson. Thanks from Aaron in Australia

[@hidood1252]

wat a nice uncle that child has

[@hidood1252]

I am cool

[@marivicacebuche7462]

Wow amazing.

[@WatchMeDIYIt]

Awesome ukulele, and it sounds great too!

[@Makify1]

+DIY giveaways & tutorials Thanks!

[@chriserony]

Wow, it came out way better than I thought it would

[@stonkas6302]

That is so sick 👍🏼 👍🏼 Amazing job 👍🏼👍🏼

[@michaelbutner6953]

I liked the sound and look of the one you made better.

[@MCVengeance]

I see everybody using wood finish and wood stain for their finish but I'd be drawing and painting on the White Zombie movie poster like Kirk Hammett's guitar. lmao!

[@willhannusch]

I think that my favourite part of every youtube video I watch is just scrolling through the comments and reading random peoples opinions :P

[@-siranzalot-]

I always imagine myself doing stuff like that when I am old. Good thing that leaves me time for getting all this gear.

[@vince_754]

its really good

[@annaflore7098]

I really want to become a designer and these kind of videos always make me excited to grab some wood and get started.

[@Makify1]

Awesome! Go do it.

[@user-rg4kc8cz9b]

Great and cool... AWESOME

[@brsampa66]

Muito bom!!!! Parabéns!

[@xuan-qk7uq]

Wow that's so beautiful

[@amjPeace]

I am so impressed! Nice work!

[@Makify1]

Thank you!

[@ming.manangan]

wtf, he didnt play the uke, the sound must be sucks

[@Makify1]

ming ming You must not have watched to the end because I play it and compare it to a professionally made one. Plus, the background music was played on it.

[@ming.manangan]

Makify1 didn't watch that last part, thought its already when u said thanks for watching hahahahaha, im so sorry bro, my bad. im sorry

[@Makify1]

ming ming No problem

[@matt0411]

Excellent vidéo, thnx for the cm mesurments

[@mangoheadquarters8134]

Well done