ukelele - guitar

soo just now i was like, i really wish i had a super portable, small guitar. so i was wondering if i could take a ukelele and tune it like a guitar (yeah i realize id be missing 2 strings) but would this totally destroy the neck or anything?

I don't see why you couldn't, but ukulele strings are tuned to different pitches. Something like high low low high. If you replaced them with guitar strings I think you'd be good.

There are 3 types of ukes. Saprano, tenor and baritone. The tenor and baritone could be tuned like the bottom 4 strings of a guitar. I have a slightly bigger tenor that I tune like this. You need the right set of strings though. Normally on a ukelele, the top string is nylon and tuned at the higher octave but you can buy strings that the top string is a steel wounded nylon string that could be tuned to the lower octave.

could you use just light acoustic guitar strings?

The tension might be to heavy for a uke and break the instrument. Unless you find one that's made to use guitar strings.

The strings will be really floppy if you use a small uke in standard guitar tuning. I recommend macandkanga's info, but for portability you have to go with a Concert or Soprano size. The tenor is going to be too big to carry around.

Also the nut will probably need a little widening at the top string to fit a 'wound G' string.

If you set up a Concert size (my favorite) with the low G string, the tuning will be like a capo on the 5th fret of your guitar (with no low A or D).

http://liveukulele.com/gear/strings/low-g-strings/

arr this is getting too complicated, i just want a tiny guitar =p

Ask and Ye shall receive!



LOL I ordered mine today.
Phip

Awesome Phip!

There's always the Martin Backpacker guitar

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=martin+backpacker&src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0&gclid=CPfrxN-Ur6ECFRyfnAod9U_4-Q