Here’s my parts hulk donor for today, a $5 thrift store child’s decorated toy ukulele I bought for the tuners and bridge.

Here’s my bridge and non-compensated, non-adjustable saddle.

‘Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him, Horatio…’

This L-shaped repurposed bridge frame will hold the ball-ends of the strings. I’ll round the corners of the plate with a grinder to prevent injury.

I’m beefing the box up with scrap wood screwed into place for reinforcement.

I built this small block below to further stiffen the headstock against the strain of the string pull. I’ll screw it in after installing the uke tuners.

Below is the scrap wood I’ll cut to size and screw in to brace both box sides. The 4th scrap piece here on top will brace the front of the cigar box as well.

Here’s the whole kit: ball-end holder, nut, bridge and saddle, tuners, strap pins, strings.

So I have all the pieces necessary to finish except for a block of strong wood I’ll find in my woodpile to connect the neck to the back end of the box.

My next task will be to trim the box and the neck to sink the fretboard flush with the top of the box.

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