Headless Multi-Scale Baritone Ukulele

This little beast is completely functional and complete overkill for a Ukulele!

The extended scale length for the lower strings makes for improved tuning stability even at lower tunings without the need for heavier strings, meaning this instrument can be tuned normally, or in modified tunings! This example was tuned to GDGC to match the lowest four strings of a traditional guitar in DADGAD with a capo on the fifth fret. If you're going to a small gathering and want to play some folk songs, it can't be beat for appropriate volume or ease of use.

All components excepting the strings and the tuners are 3d Printed. Only 3 standard construction screws are necessary for construction. All other components are glued or press-fitting. 

Print Settings:

Creality Ender 3 0.6mm Nozzle: 0.3mm Layer Height, 50% gyroid infill for black components, 20% lightning support infill for Orange Components.

All parts will fit comfortably on a standard Prusa Mk3 or Mk4. The original was printed using an Ender 3 with an E3d Volcano Hotend and a Prusa Mini for the majority of components. All components were printed in PLA, but if you intend to use the instrument anywhere hot or you just don't want to worry about leaving it in the car, ASA would be a better choice. (Ask me how I know…)

Tuners and Strings:

Strings: https://a.co/d/8HH2x92

Tuners: https://a.co/d/dapfaDt

Proof That It Plays!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5un6qpiBWJaYP8ZL6

Assembly Directions:

Print All components as desired and remove any supports. The neck high and low parts should fit together snugly. Dry-fit them to ensure there are no issues, then either add glue or simply slide them together. If desired, add 2 small screws to secure the neck (recommended if not glued). Glue the upper horn to the sound chamber as shown in the photos or .stp file. The lower structure is an extremely tight fit to the sound chamber, so do not dry-fit before final assembly. Glue is not necessary, but if you want to use it, apply the glue to the sound chamber before assembly. It will take some force to get them together. The neck is also very tight fit and will likely not seat fully until screwed down. Attach the neck to the body fully before attaching the fretboard. The fretboard prints in two pieces that fit together tightly with a dovetail at the 12th fret (which also serves as the 12th fret marker). This may need some clean-up depending on your printer. Both the top and bottom of the fret board should sit flush when dry-fit. Use your choice of glue to attach the low (wider-spaced frets) fret board to the neck such that the end is seated firmly against the nut. Once the low fret board is secured, apply glue to the neck and secure the high fret board to the neck. Add the tuners as shown in the .stp file and the core instrument is done! To string the instrument, tie a knot in one end of the string near the end. I suggest reaming out the string holes with a 1/16" (1.5mm) drill bit to refine the fit before stringing. Run the string to the tuner, leaving some slack and begin wrapping the string as you would on a normal guitar. Once there is light tension on the string, seat the bridge on the body (this requires no glue) and set the string in the slot. Begin with the lowest string, followed by the highest string, then the middle two. This ensures that the bridge is properly held in place. Then. It's as simple as just tuning it up and you're ready to go! My recommended tuning is (low to high) GDGC, but DGBE is standard for most baritone ukuleles. The instrument can accomodate a wide range of tunings, so feel free to experiment!

Remix Ideas:

With some fairly basic modifications to the bridge and lower structure, it would be pretty easy to integrate a piezo pickup! These are common on electric violins, ukuleles and acoustic guitars. That could take this thing and turn it into a really serious instrument! Imagine being able to take an instrument small enough to carry on to an airplane that is still versatile enough to record with direct input, gig or just play a little louder for your friends! I'm looking into this, but if someone wants to give it a shot, I'd be excited to see it!