All Rat Ukes are one of a kind. They are assembled when the salvagable uke parts (neck, bridge, etc.) are found that match a particular cigar box in color and size.

Established instrument building methods are used along with techniques that are developed as the need arises. Parts are obtained from various sources; catalogs, on-line suppliers and best of all, the local hardware store.

The result is a unique and playable ukulele.

The Builder: Roy Cox a.k.a. Blues Boy Roy

Armed with one semester of wood shop class in high school, a short stint as a bowling alley mechanic in the 70's and a love for acoustic stringed instruments, the builder has arrived.

There are dozens of repairs and restorations completed in guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, banjos, etc. Many successful and failed projects have given the builder a knowledge of how stringed instruments come together and make sounds.

The modest workshop (in the corner of the family room) contains most tools required for Rat Uke assembly, a collection of parts (new and used) and associated literature. The completed Rat Uke is a player. G C E A tuning is used unless the size goes up to baritone.

Rat Ukes have been played in our local ukulele circle, by a friend during a camping trip and recently CBU-001 was played "backstage" by Del Ray at Jamey's House of Music in Philadelphia, PA.