I just had to have a picture of this very nice Sycamore/Cedar tenor before sending it off to Ali in Bordeaux. I really hated to part with this one, loved the wood, loved the tone, loved the playability. I have a little more Sycamore, maybe I will build another for myself.
Today was odd job day. I resewed a small but pretty piece of curly maple getting two sides of a shaker with each slice. Then I made put together a few shakers just for fun.
Here are all the parts, pieces and tools required to make a shaker. Thin slices of wood, thin strips of maple veneer wrapped around an oval pattern. A clamp, some glue, a weight, and a whole bunch of dried berries from the Madrona tree "Arbutis menziezi". Exactly 25 berries in each shaker makes the rattle.
So here are the last three stages, clamped together as the glue dries- after sanding- and after getting the signature g. It is kind of a fun way to use scraps of wood that you hate to throw away. Besides, people are asking to buy them. Who knew?
Then I decided to get at some re-sawing that I have been putting off for months. A logger friend of mine, knowing I built ukuleles, told me he had been hoarding some fine cedar for years. He was kind enough to give me two chunks cut to the lengths I desired. Today I took it to the band saw.
First thing was to cut a flat bottom.
Now I need to cut this side so I have a perfect 90 degree angle,
Then i could set the fence at the width of cut I desired. This is the first piece, straight and true.
And here is the result. Sixteen pieces wide enough for tenor tops. Two more tops in the narrower pieces.
And lovely Cedar, fine grain, stiff laterally with great tap tone. I am delighted.