The traditional, standard width of the fretboard at the nut is 1 3/8ths inch. How was that decided?, who made the decision?, Why has the tradition continued all of these years.
These questions have been asked by those of us with thick fingers that have always had trouble playing the B flat chord. I began to question why such narrow fretboards and began gradually making them wider. I now understand that some major manufacturers are building ukuleles with wider fretboards.
These questions have been asked by those of us with thick fingers that have always had trouble playing the B flat chord. I began to question why such narrow fretboards and began gradually making them wider. I now understand that some major manufacturers are building ukuleles with wider fretboards.
You might not think an 8th of an inch could make much difference, but it surely does. I have been slowly increasing the width of my fretboards at the nut. I am convinced that for most folks 1 1/2 inch works better. I have recently made several tenors that are even a 16th wider I like them.
For the immediate future I plan to make my ukes with a 1 1/2 inch width. I can see no reason why even a bit wider might be better for those with large hands.
For the immediate future I plan to make my ukes with a 1 1/2 inch width. I can see no reason why even a bit wider might be better for those with large hands.
Yesterday I had the delightful experience of meeting Gordon Robinson who had driven up from his Seattle area home to pick up his new Claro Walnut/ Redwood tenor. We had a pleasant couple of hours in the workshop talking music, ukuleles and life in general.
Gordon, I wish you many years of pleasure playing that ukulele and hope one day to be playing with you. Thank you so very much for buying a Griffin Ukulele.
Gordon, I wish you many years of pleasure playing that ukulele and hope one day to be playing with you. Thank you so very much for buying a Griffin Ukulele.
Today, Sunday, Marya and I drove to Seattle to have a little time with our Great Grand-daughter Tallulah. She is now 7 1/2 months old and the apple of the eye of parents, Grand-parents, and Great Grandparents. Here she is astride the Rocking Bunny that I made many years ago for her now 27 year old aunt Laura when Laura was about that age. That is getting to be an elderly bunny. And now Laura is about to Marry. She will marry Kunal Khanna, a native of Mumbai India this coming February.
Tallulah"s daddy Evan and I are posing in our wedding attire. We figure if the election does not go as we hope it will we will be equipped to move to India. (just kidding).
