Driftwood LP Style Uke

Whilst on a work trip to pick up trash from the beaches (supported by: sustainablecoas... ) I grabbed a few pieces of driftwood to see if I could give it a second chance of life. Result, the LP Style Uke.
Neck - Probably Mahogany
Body - Unsure - Heavy New Zealand Wharf wood... (weight might also be chemical chance from drifting in the ocean)
Steel string tuned GCEA
Cut down Strat bridge
Half of a P Bass style pickup
*Wear protective equipment if you have a go as driftwood is a but more nasty to work with. Also don't use your best blades etc!
Music By Bensound - "Smallguitar"

[@borislavaivanova359]

Qkooooooooooo

[@windchaser333]

Brilliant! Love your build videos!

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. Hopefully another coming in the near future!

[@dandowning2217]

So cool!!!

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks Dan

[@leonardobatistarocha7956]

Aooo caboclo 🤠 que lindo esse seu ukulele Ohana. Valinhos SP.

[@MikeHawkey]

Muito obrigado

[@patrickmarrone8565]

hey man, im really impressed by your work. how are you making these templates? and how do you know how thick to make the neck and body?

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks for the nice words. Template wise, for both X style or my own shape creations I tend to make a template from illustrator or inkscape. When making a style version it means some alterations to the shape for smaller versions like Ukes to fit size needed for necks. Templates in paper then glued to mdf if needed for routing - or onto the wood for bodies if a one off. Thickness is a mix of comfort, look and application (eg if need depth for a pickup). Necks generally 18-20mm stock not including fretboard, then shaved down to profile that feels good.

[@patrickmarrone8565]

@@MikeHawkey thank you. im building my first one ill show you when its done

[@MikeHawkey]

@@patrickmarrone8565 nice one! Hope it goes well!

[@CircuitsAndStrings]

Spectacular! Such a cool project and story.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks Daniel!

[@josephjang3181]

Michael. You have done it again!!! Your beautiful handmade Uke is my girls' most faviourate one to play at home. We should catch up soon and do a gig together as we used to do 7 years back.

[@MikeHawkey]

Too kind, thanks Joseph. 7 years!- I think I was more in practice then!

[@grahamburgess4054]

That’s so cool. I used to be able to play a few chords on a Uke. Would love to build one like that! How many hours do you think it took you?

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. I didn't really keep track of time. A few hours here and there as I had time free. Processing and working with the driftwood added some time over other reclaimed lumber (wood was not 100% dry when I initially started). Its taken me ages, but a couple of focused weekends and weekday evenings for ones chosen coatings and you would be there.

[@BigBrainCoding]

That is awesome, man ! Great piece of work.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!