<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The result is a unique and playable ukulele.</p> <h4>The Builder: Roy Cox a.k.a. Blues Boy Roy</h4> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Rat Ukes have been played in our local ukulele circle, by a friend during a camping trip and recently CBU-001 was played &quot;backstage&quot; by Del Ray at Jamey's House of Music in Philadelphia, PA.</p>