Soprano Ukulele - v5.5

There are already many designs for 3D printed ukuleles. Why another one? My goal was to design and build from scratch an instrument that I could then use to write my own original song.

It ended up taking a lot longer than I originally anticipated, and there were many mistakes along the way. Versions 1 through 5.2 never saw the light of day. But I'm pretty happy with out it finally turned out.

Update - 2-22-26 : Check out my new Soprano 2 ukulele.  Designed to print flat rather than standing up, to make it easier to print multi-color tops.

See below for the rest of the change log.

Sound demo and build instructions available in the video below:

Click here for printed ukulele tuners I designed to go with this uke.

The original video above provides instructions on the first model tuners I designed.  However, the current model 3 tuners are far superior. The video below is sound demo for my new soprano guitalele and includes instructions on installing the model 3 tuners. 

I've also designed a mount to hang the uke from the wall.

In addition to the printed parts, you'll need 

• Strings for a soprano ukulele. I like D'Addario Nyltech.

• 200 mm long, 5 mm diameter carbon fiber rod in the neck for strength. The rod is available from Amazon. If you don't want to use the carbon fiber rod, there is a version of the neck available without the rod hole.

• One Number 4, 1'' wood screw to screw the headstock to the neck

• 8 #2 3/8'' wood screws if using my Model 3 tuners

Print Settings

• Printer : Bambu Lab P1S

• No Supports Rafts, or Brims

• Resolution: 0.12 mm

• Infill: 50 %

• Filament material:  I've printed primarily with PLA as silk and wood PLAs are not as strong as regular PLA.  For example, I use Bambu Lab PLA Basic. The Bambu Lab store give materials properties for different filaments and  bending strength, bending modulus, and tensile strength of PLA Basic are all considerably higher than others like silk.

Notes:

Various parts were glued together. I like Gorilla brand superglue gel. See the video for pictures of the build.

If the bridge isn't glued properly, it can pull off. I found lightly sanding the bottom of the bridge really helps. I also apply pressure using clamps for 10 or 15 minutes to make sure it is strongly attached.

Most parts were printed with 0.12 mm resolution. However, the fretboard was printed with 0.08 mm resolution. For the fretboard, I paused the print at the top of the fretboard to change filament colors, so that the frets print in a different color than the fretboard.

You'll need 

• Body

• Bridge

• Saddle

• Center ring

• Fretboard

• Five fret markers

• Saddle

• Neck

• Headstock screw cover

• Headstock

• Strap pin (if you want to use a strap)

If using the Model 3 tuners (my most recent tuner design), use the headstock specifically for Model 3.  If you want compatibility with Grover 9NB commercial tuners, use the original model 2 headstock design, Headstock - with inlay, or Headstock - no inlay.

If using the carbon fiber rod print the Neck. Otherwise print the neck - no rod hole

The saddle is a compensated saddle. When placing it in the slot in the bridge, pay attention to the orientation. The peaks in the middle part of the bridge should be further from the top of the uke, and peaks on the edges of the bridge should be nearer the top.

Change Log

Update 3/17/25 - I've added a new headstock for model 3 tuners with no inlay, in case you want to add your own inlay to it.

Update 2/11/25 - Need more strings?  Try out my new design for soprano and super soprano guitaleles!

Update 10/26/24 - I've added a version of the body that has been split into a lower half and an upper half for those whose printers can't accommodate the full ~240 mm height.  Download Split Body - Lower half.stl and Split Body - Upper half.stl. 

Update 9/26/24 - I've got a new and improved Model 3 tuner design.  Check it out.  I've added a new headstock designed to be compatible with them. Note that the video instructions were made when the tuners were first designed and it shows the first version of my tuners. The newest and much improved version of the tuners, model 3, no longer have the washers. The washers were fiddly and a pain to deal with.

Update 7/27/24 - Need something a little more flashy?  Take a look at my new design with internal LED lighting!

Update 5/29/24 - Want to crank up the volume to 11? Check out my new design for an acoustic-electric soprano ukulele!

Update 5/6/24 - v5.5  On a couple of older prints I saw some delamination of the body underneath the bridge, so I added a little extra bracing under the bridge to prevent it.