Hinkler Books Strum Box Ukulele Building Kit: Instrument Pack

If you are on the fence, this is a lot of bang for the buck for a surprisingly decent ukelele.When it says”kit”, it simple means you have to string the Ukulele and place the bridge. You will not be glueing. I believe the product developer is British and they are using British slang “kit”.The instructions are decent, but I did something very different that I highly recommend doing.When you string the instrument , you start with the 4th string ( it’s labeled ), not the first. Depending if you are right or left handed , the 4th string ( as the instructions say) is closest to your chin with how you’ll play the ukulele.The biggest thing I recommend deviating from the instructions is how you attach the strings to the tail piece. The instructions ( and YouTube video) say to double knot one end of the string and then send it through the tailpiece hole, over the bridge and to the tuner. I did originally, BUT the ukulele wouldn’t stay in tune. The reason was the knots would dig into the tailpiece ( changing the tension) and the tuned note. The solution is what my picture is - similar to how a classical guitar is strung. I copied the knot ( pictured) that classical guitars use (and ukeleles). Since this ukulele has two smaller strings ( 1st and 4th), I looped twice through the tailpiece hole before the “ around the tree , and under, under, under the roots” knot. After I did this the ukulele stayed in tune. It is normal for a ukulele to have to be retuned ( a lot) with new strings for a couple of weeks, so don’t be surprised or think something is wrong. When I did my instruction deviation , the new strings still stretched , but the note was just flat , not two or more whole notes lower. Before I made my deviation, The sbg ukulele would literally drop several notes flat with less than ten strums.No bag comes with the ukulele, and I’m still searching sir something ( I’ll update this when I find something).Sound - it’s decent, full and warm. The developer has a YouTubes of him playing it and that sound in the YouTube is what the sbg ukulele sounds like. Mine does, I just don’t have enough practice to do what he does in the YouTubes.To keep the strings from buzzing on the frets, make sure the string wraps down on the tuner - so the string slants down from the nut to the tuner peg. The instructions mention this also.If you don’t know if you’ll catch the ukulele bug, this is a decent instrument to see if this is for you. Use the money ( you saved, getting the sbg) to get a really good tuner - you’ll still be under $100 . Will this compare to a $400 Martin ukulele- it’s close ( in sound), but the action and comfort of the neck will be far superior on the Martin and other brands . The sbg will definitely get you started for not that much - and you can see what you like ( tenor, concert, or soprano, string brand, neck shape ) when you eventually want a better instrument to match your abilities.I’ve bought two of these , just to have ukulele near me ( and one at home) that won’t make me cry if something horrible happens to one.I highly recommend this, especially if you aren’t sure if you’ll catch the ukulele bug. Even if you don’t, it just looks cool to hang on a wall or place in a corner.Don’t skimp and not get a decent tuner that you find easy to use. Even after this ukulele, you’ll still have a tuner you like. A good easy to use tuner will also get you actually playing quicker , as tuning and retuning won’t take a hardly any time. A bad tuner that is not easy to use will use more time , and get you frustrated before you actually “begin” practicing .Better strings probably will help the sound of the sbg ukulele. I haven’t found anything wrong with the black nylon ones it comes with. But again , this gets you started (with a decent tuner you purchase separately ) for under $100. Also , the provided nylon strings lets you practice stringing your instrument without potentially messing up a ten dollar string pack before you know what you’re doing.If you play, you’ll eventually need to replace your strings- and can try different string brands and experiment to see what you like.

I loved the Ukulele, it was easy to assemble it also has a good sound when playing.

Playing my soprano ukulele for 2 years, and building 2 more, you might say I know a bit about ukuleles! (Pronounced "ookoo lay lay" NOT "yuke-a-lay-lee")If you want a good quality ukulele, buy one. However, if you want one to learn to play, bang around, or turn into a project, buy this one! You could easily replace the body and use the neck, bridge, and hookups. I built a heart shaped one!It's cheap. If you're not sure a ukulele is for you, you should buy it, and learn to play. You won't regret it. If you want to turn it into a project, buy it. It's good quality for what you pay for it, and easily upgraded. I've been playing mine for 8 hours, and I just got it 9 hours ago.Side note: The first track on the CD that introduces it slaps! Who knew?Bottom Line:Can't go wrong. It's no Kala, but it's great for a bang around you toss into the back seat.

With a kit I expect to actually build stuff. You know, attach the neck. Add in the electronics. Actually build something. With this “kit” all you do is place the bridge on the spot printed on the face of the uke then add the strings. That’s it. There is no building involved. I wanted the experience of building my own cigar box uke. This ain’t it. Extremely disappointed..

This box ukulele is so much fun, cannot put it down. Great item get it.