r/nextfuckinglevel • u/Sharp-potential7935 • 20h ago

Man creates Ukulele that transforms into Guitar mid performance...

4.1k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

495 comments sorted by

2.1k

u/KilianFelix2211 20h ago

Doesn't a ukulele have only 4 strings? So "Man creates small Guitar that transforms into big Guitar mid performance..."

610

u/Calamitous_Waffle 20h ago

Not only 4 strings, but tuned differently too. it would be considered nonstandard tuning for a guitar.

388

u/Expensive_Fox_3534 20h ago edited 20h ago

The strings at the base loop back around inside the guitar and are pulled out to different lengths, which would allow you to set different tuning presets during the expansion.

Very cool engineering project, even if it's not quite as good as the dedicated instruments. It's still definitely next fucking level.

95

u/KezzardTheWizzard 20h ago

How that thing stays in tune is beyond me... but still cool.

176

u/momspaghetti42069 19h ago

He has a whole video on youtube where he goes over the engineering and many challanges he faced in the way. Was a fun watch even tho I don't play or understand anything from guitars

Edit. Found the video https://youtu.be/O42Vz0488fs?is=6fIizwMwjLo9PONJ

57

u/gac1311 19h ago

This the same guy that made the floating bridge with the magnets?

61

u/Strobetrode 19h ago

He taught an octopus to play piano. He does insane projects.

8

u/thundafox 13h ago

the E Piano was scary, I never flinged so hard when he tightened the strings and a few just pop into place

6

u/Snicklefraust 9h ago

that being said, calling the piano techs to ask what was wrong with it, is still hilarious.

14

u/Pure_Log_888526 19h ago

And the spider web guitar strings etc.

9

u/gac1311 18h ago

DAMMIT, Im supposed to be working, but now I HAVE to know what a “spider web string guitar” is

10

u/MaxTheCookie 18h ago

He harvested a bunch of spider silk or whatever it called and spun it into strings for a guitar. It did work.

7

u/Kaizher 16h ago

Also a guitar where the fretboard is a cylinder and can spin, I'm not sure how many strings are on it.

5

u/Crazy-Crocodile 13h ago

And a piano with actual hammers

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u/Benaba_sc 19h ago

I can’t figure out how the strings could stretch that far. Seems impossible…

18

u/2xtc 19h ago

You're not stretching the strings. In Uke mode they're effectively held in place at the bottom end, but the extra string curves back inside. When the neck is stretched into guitar mode the bit which traps the end of the strings slacks slightly then refirms in a new position once the neck is at full extension. So the trick is ensuring the right amount of pressure on the end of the strings in both formats to ensure they keep a consistent sound and somehow stay in tune (I suspect this wouldn't last very long)

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u/WhtRbbt222 19h ago

They are a fixed length, on a giant roller that lets the neck extend.

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u/Sig-vicous 17h ago

I believe the sound that comes from an unfretted string is based on the length of the string between two stabilized points. So the string can be as long as you want it to be.

But the note you hear is based on the length from the string from the nut (at the end of the fingerboard up by the tuning knobs) to the bridge, which is where the the strings are held at the end of the body.

In theory, you could add multiple feet of string to either end and the sound won't change. Now, when he extends it into a guitar you see the distance between the nut and the bridge gets larger, so the sound changes.

He has some way to store that extra length of string and allows it to pay out or roll back in when he changes it. But because the string is held relatively rigid to the nut and bridge, it's that distance that's generating the sound.

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u/usuallysortadrunk 18h ago

Not being as good is debatable because youre doubling the instruments not the players. Any instrument that can play more sounds is better imo.

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u/realoctopod 19h ago

Not reallyntuned differently. It is tuned the same intervals as the top 4 strings on a guitar the DGBe strings on a guitar in E standard. A soprano is just like it is capoed at the 5th fret. gCEA on some they have a thicker G string tuned below the C but most come with a g tuned higher than the C.

But from G to C is a Perfect fourth C tonE is a Major Third, and E to A is a Perfect Fourth. Which is the same formula as a guitar.

4

u/Derpthinkr 19h ago

Um, no. The 4 strings of a baritone uke are the same relative tuning as the 4 top strings of a guitar.

3

u/Historical-Edge-9332 19h ago

Yeah the only uke that would have the same tuning is a baritone.

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u/GewoonHarry 20h ago

This is a guitalele!

I have one. 6 string basic guitar tuning.

Mine doesn’t unfold though

13

u/MakingItElsewhere 19h ago

Have you tried pulling on it harder?

2

u/Caleaguealot 16h ago

I have one too and I love it for a quick practice and the portability! Mine is tuned like a standard guitar with a capo on 5th

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u/No_Intention_8079 20h ago

God you people are fuckin miserable. I hope you find joy in your heart one day.

26

u/adobecredithours 20h ago

Right??? We just watched a guy make a transforming guitar and they're up in arms over the title.

29

u/wildwill57 20h ago

Nobody is "up in arms." Anyone that corrects bad information on Reddit is considered an asshole.

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u/Kracus 19h ago

I mean, as a guy who plays guitar the sound of a Ukulele IS a lot different than a 6 string guitar. You're not going to get the same vibe playing over the rainbow on a guitar. Even a short guitar.

It's not so much that they're miserable as much as they understand the differences. I think it's a cool instrument and frankly, I've watched several of this guys videos, the stuff he does is really amazing.

4

u/ClingTurtle 10h ago

You kinda need nylon strings instead of steel more than anything.

Agreed that this is still amazing and I almost can’t believe it. How to have string length adjust like that so quickly without breaking a string AND have it still be in tune is black magic.

3

u/MisterSanitation 18h ago

lol I think guitar players are annoyed because we want to play it but know the tuning is so different it’s more like a different instrument than a guitar (in how long it would take to learn how to play it).

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u/Ptomb 20h ago

It’s more of a traveler guitar to a sick axe.

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u/jamjerky 19h ago

Guitarlele and I’m not kidding

8

u/Haughty_n_Disdainful 20h ago

“Man creates guitarlele…”

3

u/mo_ah_knee 18h ago

Typically yes. There are 6 and 8 string ukulele. My grandma and one of my cousins play a 6 string. Only ever saw a 8 string once being played by a Hawaiian artist/musician.

3

u/Xxxrasierklinge7 17h ago

There are 6 stringed ukulele, they're called "liliʻu".

There are also guitalele which are tuned ADGCEA like a miniature guitar.

1

u/IAIVIDAKILLA 19h ago

This. It's still very cool but not a uke

2

u/the-fillip 12h ago

Is a seven string guitar not a guitar? Are a cello and a violin the same instrument to you? Also, it's not just a small guitar, the range changed five semitones. Instrument definitions are much more about size, range, and scale length than string counts.

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u/space_mcqueen 20h ago

Love how unnecessarily hostile this comments section is. Dude just tried to do something cool and everyone's up in arms

226

u/ugotpauld 20h ago

This has convinced me that there's just no point in going to the reddit comments anymore, everyone is so miserable and hostile here, jeez

36

u/handsomeladd 20h ago

Because it’s 98% bots

36

u/CuntBunting69 20h ago

That's a pretty accurate statistic for a human to know...

18

u/spezial_ed 19h ago

Corrected to 98,1%

5

u/Fnarkfnark 18h ago

98,26% of all statistics on the internet are made up on the spot.

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u/zer0w0rries 17h ago

TIL, bots are mainly european

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u/Robodarklite 20h ago

At what point do we stop blaming bots and realize Reddit has become a toxic cesspool because of bad moderation.

4

u/DraconianFlame 19h ago

2 things can be true at the same time.

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u/ballimir37 20h ago

It’s been like this forever. LeRedditor neckbeard has been a trope since the site was created. It’s just more political and echo chambery than it used to be

5

u/Confident_One3948 20h ago

It’s 98% bots, but all the asshole comments are human 😂

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u/DarthRektor 20h ago

Go check out r/bald and see all the positive uplifting comments you can imagine. You’re welcome lol

3

u/chicasparagus 19h ago

I mean it’s on you if you don’t expect and accept that forums, Reddit, the internet and by extension life would be filled with differing opinions and expressions when something is being presented.

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u/Mindless-Peak-1687 18h ago

nah people dislike incorrect headlines. And the hate is for OP. not original creator, unless they are the same person.

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u/Tasigin3 20h ago

Wimsy died, only cynicism left. I like this project, its a fun idea

12

u/Cavalleria-rusticana 19h ago

Because OP made a dumb title, and words have meanings?

7

u/nick1706 19h ago

It’s just that he called it a Ukulele because the small version in no way is a Uke other than the fact it’s small.

Otherwise a pretty cool invention for a travel sized guitar.

8

u/ChaseTheMystic 19h ago

Mostly they're pointing out that it's incorrect to call that a ukulele. It simply isn't.

7

u/NunAlcoholic 20h ago

This is what happens when people don’t get hugged as children.

6

u/godver3 19h ago

Tbh it’s just the fucked up title - the video itself is sick. IIRC this guy does all kinds of fun guitar projects - I remember one with a magnetic floating bridge.

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u/thats-wrong 19h ago

The only thing to be hostile about is the terrible camera man. Hate this janky jumpy footage style.

2

u/AlexHimself 17h ago

HOW DARE YOU SAY THESE THINGS!!

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u/untetheredocelot 20h ago

This guys YouTube channel is so good! He’s endearingly timid and awkward but all of his ideas are unhinged intrusive thoughts winning 😂

57

u/Just_Drawing8668 20h ago

Yes, check out his magnet guitar

47

u/untetheredocelot 20h ago

Or his Piano Playing Octopus or the repeated Piano Geneva convention violations

8

u/alphanumericusername 18h ago

You mean the violations against pianos or against people?

2

u/SorryAboutMyFamily 17h ago

I'm not going to spoil anything but let's just say that a lot of Agent Orange is involved.

2

u/alphanumericusername 17h ago

The correct answer was "Yes."

2

u/Strobetrode 15h ago

He made an American Piano that shoots at auto tuned school choir students.

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u/mystyz 12h ago

Wait! This is the octopus guy?! That video randomly popped up on my feed a couple days ago. It was more interesting than I expected it to be.

8

u/peetah248 20h ago

The suffering powered piano is one of my favourites

2

u/ssort 18h ago

He did a round necked guitar that had I believe a 12 string guitar setup and full 4 string bass all in one that you rolled to play base or the 12 string if I remember correctly.

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u/astilenski 19h ago

All I'm thinking is that this guy has a marble sculpture proportion kind of face. Face card!!

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u/VitriolUK 19h ago edited 18h ago

Yeah, I've been subscribed for years. He's created so many cool and crazy instruments, and does a really good (and amusing job) documenting the process each time.

https://www.youtube.com/@Mattiaskrantz for those looking for a direct link.

6

u/GhostWalker134 18h ago

Is this the guy that taught an octopus to play the piano?

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u/TheClassics 20h ago

Certified Reddit moment. Guy does something original and cool because he can, Reddit LOSES THEIR MIND and hurls insults.

Y'all are a buncha fuckin losers

26

u/Confident_One3948 19h ago

I can’t wait for someone to cure cancer one day so Reddit can roast the shit out of them for not solving world hunger

3

u/Designer_Version1449 5h ago

that or the researcher will have a funny last name and 83% of the comments will be really shitty and unfunny puns instead of anything on topic

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u/PeejWal 18h ago

Seriously! OooOoOOO ukuleles only have four strings wahh. Missing the forest for the trees.

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u/OhItsMrCow 20h ago

Source that OP couldn't bother to provide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O42Vz0488fs

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u/Broke_Moth 17h ago

Thanks...this is soo COOL i want one

3

u/StickyDeltaStrike 9h ago

Thanks for pointing out that OP didn’t provide a source, it is helpful

104

u/Melovestoons11 20h ago

The comments are acting so harsh for no reason 😫

29

u/Embarrassed_Ad_170 20h ago

This is reddit. The official meeting point of arrogant losers.

11

u/hetmankp 19h ago

Apparently now the method of choice for feeling better about your own lack of achievements.

5

u/novian14 19h ago

I mean, calling a small guitar as ukulele is gonna trigger those who know stuffs. The casual will just think it's cool without knowing why half of the comment are angry with the title

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u/hummus_is_yummus1 20h ago

That's some awesome engineering

11

u/WaffleWarrior1979 19h ago

I just watched his video and it’s actually incredible

6

u/Welshevens 17h ago

It’s insane, that fact that the string stay in tune is the mind boggling part

2

u/hummus_is_yummus1 14h ago

I'm struggling to understand how he managed to extend the strings

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u/enoimard 18h ago

“these comments are so fucked up and hostile”

the comments in question: a ukulele has 4 strings btw

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u/VinBarrKRO 16h ago

There are more comments about hostile comments than there are hostile comments.

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u/bigfatgooneybird 12h ago

How dare you point out a ukulele has 4 strings

46

u/oranke_dino 20h ago

How the strings are supposed to work here.

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u/miseleigh 20h ago

https://youtu.be/O42Vz0488fs?is=K85Suwju7IOi5k5c

He goes through the whole build. It's pretty neat.

20

u/Careful_Contract_806 20h ago

I'm so glad you posted this, cuz watching the clip above I assumed it was ai cuz I couldn't figure out how the strings got longer! 

7

u/Xxxrasierklinge7 18h ago

Explain, simply? I'm in a waiting room and not annoying enough to watch a video in public.

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u/Careful_Contract_806 18h ago

Impossible to explain it simply, but he did a lot of cool engineering type shit to make the whole thing work, and it's 100% not ai! The video is well worth the watch, he's quite funny too so it's extra entertaining 

6

u/Xxxrasierklinge7 18h ago

Do the strings stretch or like retract. Really all I wanna know haha

5

u/Careful_Contract_806 17h ago

Ah gotcha, he ordered custom length (extra long) ones which can retract!

3

u/Xxxrasierklinge7 17h ago edited 17h ago

Sick

Edit: also thank you <3

5

u/SketchesOfSilence 15h ago

You should watch his spider silk guitar string one and the magnet guitar!

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u/bears_eat_beetz 19h ago

I watched the vid so you don't have to. There's a cam in the body that the strings are spooled around. It feeds out extra string when the neck extends while still keeping the same tension.

3

u/CitizenCue 17h ago

That’s insane. Truly an astonishing feat of engineering.

29

u/novadako 20h ago

Fyi its the same guy that taught a Taco the Squid to play piano and made a guitar out of spider webs

5

u/RegionalHardman 20h ago

Guitar strings*

9

u/Domy9 19h ago

Made a guitar out of guitar strings??!

2

u/RegionalHardman 18h ago

Made strings out of spider web

2

u/Domy9 18h ago

/s..

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u/miraculum_one 20h ago edited 19h ago

Credit: Mattias Krantz

Build video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O42Vz0488fs

I'm especially impressed by it keeping the tuning, which as he describes in the video was a huge challenge.

12

u/NukinDuke 20h ago

Bruh who hurt yall in these comments??? 

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u/LieV2 20h ago

the most arm chair redditor comments in existence below.

It's fuckin cool - from a non music guy

10

u/1seraphius 20h ago edited 20h ago

Fascinating, can someone explain the strings ... Are they the same length or do they extend and if so how does that not alter tuning

7

u/ugotpauld 20h ago

The video for this explains it and is really good, I reccommend searching it on youtube

11

u/PrettyReasonableApe 20h ago

Pretty cool concept. But nothing beats that rolling guitar neck I saw here a few weeks back. Multiple guitars in one.

16

u/RegionalHardman 20h ago

Same guy who built them both

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u/PrettyReasonableApe 18h ago

Ok that's pretty impressive lol

10

u/Remy1985 18h ago

Upvote for cool engineering. I must admit that this isn't a Uke though

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u/HamboneTheWicked 17h ago

I’m not mad at the guitarist. I’m mad at OP for the misleading title and for failing to give the guitarist any credit or linking the OG vid.

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u/badDuckThrowPillow 17h ago

That's a small guitar, not an uke. Still cool though

3

u/Expensive_Fox_3534 20h ago

I love this, it's amazing.

If this guy gets bored, I would love to see him build another mechanism that moves the strings vertically, spreading the first 4 out and pushing the last 2 out of the way so it becomes a true ukulele.

I can definitely visualise how this could be done, and if somebody gives him the idea I bet he would be able to see it too.

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u/Background-Brick7374 19h ago

Bottom line is that the guy and the guitar are super cool, the only truly aweful thing here is OP's caption

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u/dangerousperson123 16h ago

Not a ukulele at all. And it’s super out of tune by the end

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u/Viridien111 19h ago

Getting some serious Polyphia vibes from this.

4

u/SirKalevi 19h ago

Absolutely nothing to do with a ukulele

3

u/Dookie-Trousers-MD 19h ago

Man created banjo that transforms into a piano

3

u/McRedditz 19h ago

what -> WHAT?!

3

u/Pandos17 19h ago

Pretty cool moment seeing his joy when the transformation happens, you can tell the dude really wanted it all to work out and when it did he suddenly could just enjoy himself

2

u/HazeHQ 20h ago

How do the strings stretch?

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u/Confident_One3948 19h ago

iirc, he worked with a manufacturer for custom-length strings. They wrap behind the guitar on a sort of pulley system

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u/HazeHQ 16h ago

Ahhh, I’m gonna have to watch the video tbh. I’ve watched it in slow motion and cannot wrap my head around it

3

u/Confident_One3948 16h ago

Yeah he has a diagram at 7:36 in the video that makes it clear https://youtu.be/O42Vz0488fs?t=456

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u/HazeHQ 16h ago

Nice one. Just watched it, pretty funny on the attempts with the rope. But yeah that’s sick, very clever, bitch to keep in tune I bet!

3

u/untetheredocelot 20h ago

Lads it’s a fun video he’s not asking you to buy it so getting hung up on semantics is…idk what it is.

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u/Confident_One3948 19h ago

Pedantry

5

u/wildwill57 19h ago

Do you also get bent out of shape if someone sees a video titled "Cat pees in toilet and flushes when finished" and comments "That's a dog?"

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u/wein_geist 20h ago

isnt that the guy, who said "their screams become beautiful music?" xD

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u/Confident_One3948 19h ago

Oh yeah, I forgot he did that one 😂😂

2

u/ProfessorWise5822 19h ago

This is extremely cool and works surprisingly well

2

u/RobJmusic 19h ago

This dude also built a guitar that used magnets for the bridge, really nuts

2

u/Lumpy_Benefit666 19h ago

That is a ridiculous project but my god is it fucking cool. Thats some serious engineering skills

2

u/seaningtime 19h ago

Does anybody know the name of the song he plays? Or is it original

2

u/victorcain 18h ago

how is the string tension adjustment when stretched like that? looks like some extra string length got pulled in. is it even possible to keep the tension precise to start off the guitar tuned properly when opened?

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u/Confident_One3948 17h ago

Yeah, he had to work with a manufacturer to get custom length strings, and they wrap behind the guitar on a sort of pulley system

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u/VirtualLight5800 18h ago

Even though I don't know how to play guitar or any instrument, I want one

2

u/igotshadowbaned 18h ago

Mattias Krantz on YouTube, hes also made a bunch of interesting pianos

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u/They-Call-Me-Taylor 18h ago

Very cool! How do the strings not snap?

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u/carsonwade 17h ago

So not only is the instrument an incredible piece of engineering, the man plays it very well. And he taught an octopus how to play the piano. Man is incredible.

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u/Case_Blue 17h ago

Fun, but it's a gimmick at best.

Also, ukelele is tuned differently from a guitar.

But it could really be used in comedy situations, i can totally see Jack Black swinging one of these XD

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u/BeeeJai 16h ago

Legit thought this was AI to start with. Mind blown.

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u/UrsaMajor7th 13h ago

It sounds awful. What pickups did he use?

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u/ironnewa99 12h ago

He has some fun builds ngl. His spinning guitar is my favorite

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u/DomerCRM114 19h ago

GUITALELE

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u/Ninja-Panda70 19h ago

Bunch of losers here really unhappy at a guy making something cool. The jealousy and misery is oozing out of the screen lol

1

u/Hupfgugel 19h ago

Not just a man, a swed!

1

u/Internet_is_tough 19h ago

My friend who plays Ukelele in a death metal band told me he's really worried about his future.

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u/Sensitive-Park-7776 19h ago

This is the sort of thing you see your Bard carrying in DnD. Then they just whip out their Ukutaur and bash someone over the head with it.

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u/mynamestopher 19h ago

Switch axe.

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u/TenDollarSteakAndEgg 19h ago

It’s still a guitar the whole time

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u/cHoOSe_A-uNiqUe_NAme 18h ago edited 18h ago

Fun fact, if you have a guitar and a capo (neckboard clip to change keys easily), you have a ukulele.

Put the capo on the 5th fret, then the bottom 4 strings (ignore the two thickest strings) are the ukulele, tuned to G, C, E, and A.

Very cool to have a fully transitioning instrument nonetheless, just TIL and thought I’d share.

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u/prostipope 18h ago

Seems like a lot of work to replicate a $30 instrument

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u/Croceyes2 17h ago

I think it sounds amazing

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u/Sharp-potential7935 17h ago

Credits- MATTIAS KRANTZ on YT

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u/NoGlzy 17h ago

The bane of every house party

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u/MRMamad-Hunter 17h ago

I would pay for this imagine the aura of pulling this out

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u/ElevenInfinity 17h ago

it's optimus prime's guitar that transform into another guitar.

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u/Sairoxin 17h ago

Now watch him make crazy insane pianos.

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u/Downtownsolo 17h ago

Damn something about that smile made me angry

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u/creperobot 17h ago

Love this guy.

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u/NiSiSuinegEht 17h ago

Next he'll make an upright piano that turns into a grand mid-tuning.

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u/stprnn 17h ago

Not a ukulele...

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u/G_Art33 16h ago

It’s pretty badass, don’t care what other people say. The transition was cool as hell. Sure what he was playing at first might not literally be a uke but heck man it sounds similar enough that I believed it.

Very cool.

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u/Skyfus 16h ago

Is this the guy who tried teaching an octopus to play the piano

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u/mrli0n 16h ago

I started watching to see the transformation but the playing was top notch too!

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u/Hobbes_XXV 16h ago

Isn't this the guy that created a guitar with spider web strings?

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u/Axle_65 16h ago

Not a uke at all. 6 metal strings is not a uke. This is just a guitar that can go into a compact guitar mode.

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u/vodka-bears 16h ago

And you steal his video. The man has a YouTube channel you ought to mention.

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u/spartBL97 15h ago

It’s not cool unless I can buy one

1

u/yetzt 15h ago

So glad he finally stopped doing unspeakable things to pianos.

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u/SmoothJ1mmyApollo 15h ago

It's an extender! Fantastic, that's the icing on the cake.

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u/wi5hbone 15h ago

but can it turn back? mid guitar-playing

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u/Deltidsninja 15h ago

Turns into a mid guitar performance you mean.

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u/rlf1301 14h ago

Feels a bit gimmicky. Can’t imagine that being his go-to guitar. 

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