Electric Altoids Guitar/Ukulele

I decided to make an Altoids guitar for my class project after seeing something similar online.  It ended up looking more like an ukulele than a guitar, so here it is... my electric Altoids ukulele!

Step 1 Materials & Tools

Materials-

-  Altoids Tin

-  Wooden Slats/Stick (width should be about 2 inches)

-  Guitar tuning pegs (4)

-  Piezo buzzer

-  1/4” audio jack

-  Gorilla glue

-  Electric Guitar Strings

-  Bic Pen

-  Tape

-  Solder Wire

Tools I used-

-  Drill Press

-  Soldering iron

-  Band saw

-  Pneumatic rotary rasp bit

-  Scissors

Comments

[404_Error]

Hi, does anyone know if this would work with nylon strings?

[Sabazius]

A magnetic pickup works by creating an electromagnetic field which is affected by the vibrating metal strings of a guitar, which can be measured and translated into a corresponding sound. Because of this, a magnetic pickup only works with electric strings.

However, a piezoelectric pickup works by translating the vibrations of the sound into electrical signals, which a connected amp converts back again and amplifies/distorts/whatever. As such, if it makes a noise, the piezo will register that noise. Although a nylon string will probably make less noise than a metal string, purely because of the nature of the material, there's no scientific reason I can see to prevent you using a piezo with nylon strings.

FYI, piezos are used on all kinds of acoustic instruments with non-metal strings, such as instruments in the string family which are played with a bow. Hope this is informative and helpful :)

[saramaier825]

I don't think it will since its meant to work as an electric guitar. If its nylon I don't think the sound will pick up...

[FinchbyFinch]

nylons totally work. piezos pick up vibrations. by electric guitar, it pretty much means electric accoustic.

[ScienceWiz]

How does the ukulele sound? Also, do u know if I could simply put the piezo sensor inside my accoustic uke and convert it to an electric?

I'm really lookin to make one, and, if I finally do, Ill upload a video of me playing it so people can hear how it sounds.

Great instruatable! Great idea

[lemonie]

Can you upload an audio-file?

L

[saramaier825]

I don't know if there's a way to upload audio files on this thing but i'll try :)

[lemonie]

You do it the same as pictures (exactly the same), I'd really like to hear how this sounds.

L

[masterochicken]

Yes. I was just thinking that.

[Badger_Man]

Excellent, i now know the basics of making an electric acoustic instrument.