Red 20" Scale Chess Box Steel String Electric Baritone Ukulele. Spalted Maple Neck.

This HiGuitarsUK Chess Box electric baritone ukulele is handcrafted from a real chess box, using quality materials and components, in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire. It is probably the last of these Robert will make.

It has the same quality neck construction as more expensive HiGuitarsUK instruments, with a simpler oil finish to the headstock. The intention here is to offer an interesting looking quality electric baritone at a more accessible price.

This instrument has an all steel adjustable bridge with high mass stainless steel saddles and an electric guitar like bridge string spacing (32mm D to E).

The scale length is a slightly extended 20" (507mm) which will work well with the top 4 strings from a set of D'Addario EJ21 electric guitar 12s with a wound 3rd, tuned D-G-B-E with a low D. The gauges used are also easily individually purchasable online via eBay, etc.

Body: Real chess box, custom ordered from Hungry. Plywood top and back with real wood sides. The box is glue sealed for better sound transfer and the original hinges and catch have been replaced with nicer chrome plated ones. The ends of the box could have been sanded a little better before the addition of colour and lacquer (sanding lines are visible at both ends - see photos) but with this style of instrument this just adds to the charm.

Neck: 3-piece thru-neck, spalted maple with an ebony core. This goes all of the way through the box, stopping at the inner face of the box end. This is glued to the top and back of the body, throughout its length, forming a solid centre section. There is an adjustment free low profile carbon fibre neck rod for long term stability. Multi-coat Danish oil finish.

Fretboard: Hyedua with high grade 6.5mm white/yellow abalone shell fretboard dots. Slightly oversize 2.5mm side dots (for better visibility). Fretted with high grade hard American fretwire for longer fret life.

Neck width at nut: 36mm

Neck depth at 1st fret: 20mm

Neck depth at 11th fret: 20.5mm

Top nut: Bone (not reconstituted)

Pickups: Mini Humbuckers

Controls: Volume, tone, 3-way switch

Bridge: All steel bridge with high mass stainless steel saddles

Tuners: Sealed gear

Hardware: Chrome plated. Bourns pots and Switchcraft jack

Scale length: 507mm (20”)

Total length: 776mm

Body width: 158mm (excluding hinges and catch)

Body thickness: 47mm

Weight: 1.5kg

Strings: D'Addario electric