DIY Ukulele Kit - Build Your Own Guitar with 21-Inch Soprano Ukelele Kit, Includes 33 Pieces Make Your Own Ukulele Acoustic Guitar DIY Projects

I bought one of these as a test to see if it might be a good family craft idea to share with my two pre-teen grandkids. It definitely passes the "let's do this" test. The kit includes everything you will need except for sandpaper and whatever finishing coat you desire. I'll be using a good-quality wood stain on my prototype, but if the kids prefer paint I'll support their wishes.I like the fact that much of the construction is already complete. I only gave the "for beginners" category three stars because the best results will require some understanding of woodworking and/or the basic functioning of stringed instruments. I'm sure my grandkids will do fine with on this with some helpful supervision.One critical observation: the strings that come with the kit are of low quality. For another $5 or so, you can order top quality ukulele strings from Amazon.I look forward to some quality time, creating instruments and music with the grands this summer!

I am experienced with hand tools, wood working and finishing, and as a guitar player am familiar with the design principles of plucked instruments. I expected this kit, with the most challenging part of the build (body assembly) already done, to be relatively simple to complete. Well, it was and it wasn't.Here are a few things that led to issues with the assembly, and a disappointing finished product: (1) the supplied glue was partially cured and so was worthless, but in any event, PVA isn't good for gluing plastic to wood; (2) The peg holes in the head thru which the tuning machines are inserted are oversized, so the machines fit poorly; (3) the quality and appearance (grain) of the wood is not suited to being clear varnished; (4) the precision of the drilled holes for the mating, via the included dowel, as well as the machining of the neck surface to be joined to the body, are poor resulting in a problematic neck angle, leading to an excessively high action; (5) the supplied nut is molded plastic with string grooves that are much too high given the very shallow profile of the frets; (6) some, but not all, of the frets were tarnished, giving the fretboard an unattractive "used" appearance.The 4-year old to whom I gave the finished instrument doesn't care about any of this. But I'm convinced that if more care had been taken in the creation of the parts going into the kit, that it would have been easier to put together, and the final result would have been more functional and better looking.Given that already finished, decent quality instruments can be had for an additional $50 to $60, I rather wish I'd saved my labor time and effort for other, more satisfying projects.

I built a ukulele kit for one of my grandsons two years ago, and found it difficult to get the tuning keys placed correctly. This kit has keys of an improved design and clear instructions on how to affix them. The instructions are also much clearer, but it is important to read them carefully.I just sent one ukulele from the new kits to another grandson, and I’m currently working on one for my granddaughter. I am learning from each iteration. For the new one, I applied sanding sealer to provide a better base for painting, then painted it purple, her favorite color. When the paint has completely dried, I will attach the fret board and tuning keys, then add the bridge. It is important to measure carefully for positioning of the bridge, although accurate tuning might not be critical for an instrument for a four-year old.One thing that would make the kit better would be some instructions on which strings go in which positions. I measured the string diameters with a digital micrometer. The smallest diameter goes on the side farthest away from the musician’s head, then the second smallest goes closest to the player, followed by the largest diameter and the second largest.

These ukulele kits are fun to decorate and easy to assemble. Strings are not labeled, so that was my biggest challenge. Once I brought my other uke and tuner into the workshop, it was a bit easier to figure out. I used both Sharpie markers and stains to finish them.

This was alittle difficult to put together finally found the video and that helped! It sounds pretty good.

Fun project to build with my 4yrold, the neck was difficult to line up with the body due to how it was cut uneven and the alignment hole was off. I had to make a spacer for the bridge to get working. Otherwise quality was fine for 20 bucks.

This was given to one our children for his 8 year birthday. Dad and child had great quality time as they built it together and had it painted in his choice of color.

I am so excited about working with this product.So far the wood is good quality, however it did have a splint in the neck where two pieces of wood were glued together to make one piece. Which will reduce the quality of my instrument. I don't think it will fail, but it isn't worth as much as a solid piece neck.