Above are the components of my 4-string E A D G instrument thang I am building.

I’ve named it Old Handsome Joe. I just now carved and glued in the hardwood nut I fabbed up out of scrap, walnut maybe. Here’s the clamp setup.

This shows how I grafted a Rogue baritone ukulele headstock to my homebuilt hardwood neck (ash? maple?) Thanks to my ancient daddy who is giving up woodworking because of advanced age, for the wood, clamps, sandpaper, screws and tools.

The rest of the parts needed. I want to use the stainless steel sink strainers for sound hole covers.

I’m unsure if I will paint the bridge, modified from a guitar bridge I found, or sand it down to bare wood.

Not too much left to do: cut down and attach the neck to the box; grind down and cut nut and bridge, and attach bridge to box top; install strings. Tune up, troubleshoot. Go a busking. Profit $!

Or else, you know, just play it.

Unless note, all text and images by todgermanica.com.