I used to enjoy playing a wash tub bass called a "Gut Bucket". Decided to make a bass of wood so this two string bass I call "Son Of A Gut Bucket"
Most important is cutting the fret slots properly, but once that is done it is time to insert the frets. Here is what I use to do that Glue, nippers, a deadfall hammer with brass head, and an arbor dress with a fitted 12 radius fitting. It is also helpful to tap in frets on a steel no bounce surface like the saw table. Notice two empty slots. They will be filled later, now they will have brads to steady the fretboard when glued to the neck One the fret are installed the ends are nipped off close as possible to the wood Let the glue dry for an hour and then smooth off the ends with a slight angle on the sander. Now, with a fine file you round off and smooth the fret ends This special file has a flat edge and on the other side a rounded edge to prevent damaging the wood. First the flat side on the edges, then the rounded side making circular strokes over the top. Result, a smooth fret end. The final result, The fretboard is glued to the neck with the 14th fret meeting the edge of the uke body
I like a "hook" at the heel of the neck. That requires a heel cap of wood matching the fret board and black/white/black fabric under it that matches that of the binding . Now with plane, a sharp exacto blade and scraper the heel cap is carved to fit
first you must shave down the bindings to level with soundboard and back. This is done with a small plane held at a slight angle outward Next is fining up with a sharp scraper. This is a super scraper from Stewart MacDonald Next it is time to install the end piece. Select a piece that matches the binding Then sand it down to fit into the gap bordered with pieces of purfling just glued in And you sand and sand and sand until finally it fits. Whew, this uke is coming along
And now it is time for the bindings. but first we must trim the overhanging edges with a routerNext the binding grooves must be cut, always a scary job, but router did a good job. Finally the bindings are glued in, held with sticky tape and clamps until the glue dries.
Boxing up #224 takes lots of clamps. This tenor has back and sides of Brazilian Tiger Wood. (Astronium graigolens). Lovely dense wood purchased long ago from LMI. Toughest wood to bend that I have ever met. This will be a bullet proof uke.PLAYING WITH JAKEWhat a thrill, Our group, Community Ukulele Players, played the pre-show at the Mt. Baker Theater and we invited Jake to join us in Mele Kalckamaka. He was gracious enough to do so. What a guy!
BOXING HIS UKEEric Warner, General Manager of Pacific Rim Tonewoods is building his first instrument. Here Eric is applying glue and about to clamp on the back. He is a natural woodworker and doing well as a luthier.
A UKE DELIVERED That lovely Quilt Maple uke I showed you yesterday was picked up today by its new owner Steve Noe. Steve has a vast collection of ukuleles and is an accomplished player so I was honored and pleased that he bought #220.
This has become a keeper, The body is Palo Escrito, a Mexican Rosewood, The soundboard is Englemann Spruce. A marvelous combination of beauty and sound. I hope to get some more Palo Escrito from my friend Ricardo in Paracho.
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