solid body tenors

After a whole lot of designing, prototyping, tinkering around, figuring out, trying this and that and so on and so forth i think i have my two custom solid body midi ready tenor ukuleles about sorted and am now at the point where i am setting up the RMC Acoustic Gold saddles and wiring up the DIN connectors. Here is a photo of the pair on the bench today. One is a 4 string long scale tenor. The other is a 6 string long scale tenor. They should finally be ready to ship soon.

Designing and prototyping a new model is much more work than just building a standard model from an existing design. It really only makes sense if you can amortize the cost of the development work over a number of instruments. Over the last several years, i've probably developed 3 different soprano ukuleles, 4 or 5 different concert ukuleles, 4 or 5 tenor ukuleles, 2 baritone ukuleles, 2 solid body ukuleles and been thru several iterations of bracing and graduation designs on each acoustic instrument. I've also undertaking some bracing and graduation design evolution on my classical and flamenco guitars. The theme has been one of gradual incremental improvement. But its been very expensive in terms of time and productivity.

Next year i am limiting my custom work to 6-8 builds. I've opened my 2010 build list and several slots are already taken. I have a single new instrument design in the works for 2010, intended to become a standard product i can sell from stock. Stay tuned and thanks for the click.