Grizzly H3125 Ukulele Kit

by Grizzly

Product Description

Pronounced "U-KU-LELE" ("OOO-KU-LELE" by Hawaiians), these tiny "guitars" originated in Hawaii and became very popular on the mainland after the fifties. Our Ukulele kits feature mahogany parts and make a great instrument. The 4 nylon strings make it easy to play and a wonderful starter "guitar" for that youngster or adult..

Product Details

• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• ASIN: B0000DD4ME
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,158 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #87 in Musical Instruments > Folk & World Instruments > Stringed Instruments > Ukuleles

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A fine introduction to building a Ukulele, October 24, 2005

By 

David A. Smith "musicalcraft" (Dearborn, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grizzly H3125 Ukulele Kit (Misc.)

If you consider that the body of the Ukulele comes ready built, the fretboard comes finished and with frets installed, and the neck/head are already formed this is a great kit for the price. Don't expect a top quality instrument, but use this kit as an introduction to what building a Ukulele is all about. The top and bottom of the soundbox are made of beautiful striped sapele mahogany plywood that is really stunning. The sides are not particularly attractive luan plywood. The body is well assembled with internal liners but no bracing that I can see. All the parts are well sanded and ready for finish sanding, staining and finishing. The tuners and strings are inexpensive but adequate. The directions are badly translated Chinese, but the construction is easy to figure out. The neck is to be attached by a simple butt joint, but I would suggest additonal strengthing with dowels. I would suggest shortening the nut to first fret distance by at least 1/16" for better intonation. The string height is not specified in the directions, so you better know how to adjust that properly for good playing.
The instrument I built worked out fine, the sound is not particularly loud compared to better instruments. I changed the strings to Aquila Nylgut with much better results.
I have provided construction photos on my website at:

[...]

Enjoy

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes for a good little ukulele, May 23, 2010

By 

HDS "stewcanoe" (Wheelersburg, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grizzly H3125 Ukulele Kit (Misc.)

Ukuleles are irresistible. I don't know what it is about them, but everyone loves ukuleles. And this is a great way to get into one. Inexpensive and fun to build. It isn't hard to put together at all. The hard parts have already been done for you. The body comes pre-assembled. The fret board is finished with fret wires already attached. Basically all you need to do is glue it up, sand, and finish.
The instruction booklet is well written and has plenty of information, including instructions for setting string height.

It is relatively easy to assemble.
1. Step one is to pre-sand the parts, paying attention to not sand any glue areas. I suggest you don't waste time with a sander. This instrument is so small it is easier to hand sand.
2. The neck comes ready to glue to the body. It is pre-shaped making it a cinch to glue up. There is no pinning necessary, but if you use a good quality wood glue it should be OK. The only bracing I can see inside the body is a block attached at the neck join that was probably intended for stapling the side lap. But if don't trust glue alone, the block is robust enough that you can add a dowel or two. I chose not to dowel mine. So far no problems. I used a number of heavy rubber bands to secure the neck to the body while the glue dried. I tried a strap clamp, but it was more trouble that it was worth.
3. The fretboard is just as easy to attach. I suggest you re-drill the holes for the position dots. As they came on my kit, they were much too small to accept the dot. A piece of 320 grit sand paper wrapped around a Popsicle stick works great to file the dots down flush with the fretboard.
4. Once the neck and fretboard are down you can final sand in preparation for finishing. You will need to tape off a spot on the front of the body for the bridge. Measure carefully as position is important. The instructions are very detailed so you shouldn't have any trouble.
5. Now you can carefully tape off the fretboard, and bridge and top nut areas.
6. Apply the finish of your choice. The front and back of the body are mahogany plywood and would look great stained and lacquered. But you can choose to paint it as well. (We opted for a bright yellow enamel.)
7. Finish up by attaching the bridge and top nut, then install the tuners and strings.
8. Tune it up and make music!

This is a fairly high quality kit, and all the really hard parts have already been done. The price is certainly right. And if you take your time you will end up with a quality instrument. The sound is good and it is fun to play. A great project to get into with the grandkids. I highly recommend this kit.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Instrument, October 13, 2007

By 

George E. Laswell "FOLKSTRINGS" (El Paso) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grizzly H3125 Ukulele Kit (Misc.)

I built this inexpensive kit and added just a few "extras". Gold tuners and upgraded strings. It is a beautiful instrument. Went together well, and sounds fine. I am ordering more as everyone who sees this can't believe I built it myself and I am now using them for gifts. If not for a uke player, I dress it up with something that relates to their hobby and it makes for a great wallhanger for anyone. (I added sea turtles for my daughter.)