Tony Watson, Abigail Watson donates big ukulele to Toowoomba Bandland

Towns across Australia are known for their ‘big things’ drawing in tourists from across the country. Now Toowoomba may just have its own special icon to add to the list. Read all about it here.

Tony Watson with the giant ukulele he made for a friend. It now resides at Bandland in Russell St. Picture: Nev Madsen

You may have heard of the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, the Big Pineapple in Woombye and the Big Prawn in Ballina, and now Toowoomba may just have its own special icon.

Toowoomba man Tony Watson has constructed what he has claimed to be the world’s second largest ukulele.

The hobby musician initially gifted the piece, which is seven times bigger than the standard instrument, as a 50th birthday present for his friend Dave Neilson in 2017.

“Dave was learning to play the ukulele at the time so I had this concept of building him an absurdly large one as a bit of a joke,” Mr Watson said.

“It was a surprise so when we wheeled it in past the band the whole party just stopped.

“My son Sam delivered it to the party and had it strapped to the back of an old falcon ute and he had no where to display his P-plates so he had to Blu-Tac them to the base of the uke.”

Tony Watson with the giant ukulele he made for a friend. It now resides at Bandland in Russell St. Picture: Nev Madsen

Measuring in at 3.65m, Mr Watson’s handmade uke falls just behind Guinness World Record holder and Michigan, US man Lawrence Stump’s design that came in at 3.99m.

“Theoretically you could actually play it if you had a seven-to-one scale human,” he said.

“The low notes approach the threshold of human hearing so it’s a bit impractical and the sound is more of a twad than a twang but it’s all just a bit of fun.”

Made out of common construction materials including plywood and pine framing, as well as PVC-coated clothesline for the strings, Mr Watson said it was a mammoth group effort and took about three weeks to complete the backyard project.

Tony Watson's daughter Abbey Watson painting the giant ukulele in the family's backyard in 2017.

Mr Watson said while it was initially set out to be a gag gift, when his daughter Abbey finished painting it, he realised it was far too beautiful not to keep it in some capacity.

The pair mounted it on Mr Neilson’s living room wall “with great difficulty” and the assistance of others, where it remained for five years.

When the time came to find the giant instrument a new home, Mr Watson immediately thought of Russell St music shop Bandland.

“Dave said it was the best and biggest present he’d ever received,” Mr Watson said.

“It ended up in my garage so I couldn’t park my car in there for the entire year.

“We just wanted to find it a home where it would be appreciated and we believe it will be at Bandland.”

Tony Watson with the giant ukulele he made for a friend. It now resides at Bandland in Russell St. Picture: Nev Madsen

The giant item was installed in store on Tuesday night and while Mr Watson said he did not know its exact weight, it took at least three people and a lot of strategic thinking to carry it.

With only house renovation experience, Mr Watson said it was one of the most interesting projects he has ever carried out but he never expected the concept to become as “big” as it has.

He said while he wonders if it will measure up against Australia’s other big tourism drawcards, he is interested to see how far it goes.

“It’s a pretty outrageous thought,” he said.

“I never intended to break any records, but I really hope this becomes an icon for Toowoomba.”

Referring to himself as a “campfire guitarist” Mr Watson and Mr Neilson also formed part of A Mate’s Banjo – the band which received the People’s Choice Award at the 2022 Toowoomba Busking Festival.