Inside Some More Ukuleles

Tinkering with the borescope today to get a feel for taking pictures inside some more ukuleles. Here's a selection I have previously reviewed.

If you missed that article - have a look here to learn more about the borescope...

These were taken through the sound hole and are in the right orientation - i.e that the top of the picture is the underside of the top of the ukulele looking towards the bridge plate and tail. Due to the design of the camera it seems tricky to get a good shot of top bracing as it's too close to the camera, but you can see the back, linings, tail blocks etc.  I think you should be able to click on these to enlarge them. Not the greatest image quality but they do the job.

First up, this is the DJ Morgan Mini Pineapple Ukulele which I reviewed in 2017. For this one the camera was slightly offset through the similarly offset sound hole. A tidy build and nice to see that Dave signs his name on the bridge plate - I had no idea that was there! The black piece in the tail block is the removeable strap pin that Dave fits to these - for the simple reason that the way it is constructed, he has to attach the neck through a hole in the base (there is no standard sound hole!). Note also the transverse brace piece rather than a lateral one on this ukulele.

Next up, another from my personal collection. This is the Rob Collins 'Tinguitar' Reclaimed Mahogany Soprano ukulele reviewed in 2017. Another example of a ukulele that is as tidy inside as it is out.

Next is another luthier build and my KM Ukuleles Dreadnought ukulele built by Kevin Mulcock. This is uber tidy inside and really interesting to see that v-shaped brace behind the bridge plate - not seen one of those before. Kev also signs his like Dave Morgan does and the piece you see in the tail block is a strap button made from Pear wood. Nice.

This next shot is inside a very early review model - my wife's Pono MHC Pro Classic Concert Ukulele from back in 2011. This is very tidy inside too as you would expect from Pono. Particularly interesting to note the shaped tail block. The dot you can see in the middle of it is the strap button screw (fitted by me) poking through!

And I had to give you a howler didn't I? Let's look inside the Gear4Music soprano ukulele reviewed earlier next year. This one scares me. You may first be drawn to the screws holding the bridge down. Actually, that's not all that unusual, and not just on cheap ukuleles either. I'm more concerned at the dubious staining that looks like somebody's cat has used it as a litter tray, the lack of linings or bracing and the tail block that looks like it was sawn off a piece of rough timber. Ugh...

So there you are. Hopefully I will feature more innards in future reviews too. Why not?


© Barry Maz
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