I LOVE THEM ! and put them in every tenor that I build. Installing Side Sound Ports was the project of the day.
First, I want to reinforce the area around the sound port. There is always the threat of splitting the side when you put a hole in it, SO, I glue in a piece of thin ebony veneer with grain that goes vertically in opposition to the lengthwise grain of the side.
Here is where it goes.
Now we must cut the hole. I do it with a Dremel and a drill point. I cut tiny holes well inside the line.
This exacto saw will clear the hole
Then comes the careful sanding and fitting , slowly sanding down the margins until the inset will fit.
Once the oval ring tightly slips into the hole thick super glue is applied
Then with this super sharp old English chisel the ring is trimmed down close to the level of the side
After some sanding, here is the result. When the uke is finished this will be a seamless joint.
