I didn't have a lot of time today- had to watch the U. of Wa football game, but I still got a few things done.
I am cutting out the patch of maple veneer that will fit around the sound hole and strengthen it from the possibility of a split. The maple grain is opposite to that of the Cedar soundboard.
And here it is a couple of hours later, glued in.
Next , it was putting in the fret marker dots. These are gold mother of pearl, to match the gold frets that I will soon be adding.
Stu Fuchs requested a marker at the fifteenth fret, a new location for me, but then I am among the amateurs who has not learned to play very far up the neck. Stu plays the entire fretboard and apparently needs this marker up in "no man's land".
Next, I wanted to put the carbon fiber rod into the neck.. This small piece is remarkably stiff and when cemented into the neck, should forever eliminate the possibility of bending the neck from humidity changes.
Yes I know this method is horribly old fashioned, but working with chisels rather than routers is better for the soul.
Stu will never see this carbon fiber rod buried in the neck of his uke, but he will never suffer a warped neck. It will be put in with epoxy.
Now the glue has dried under the marker dots and I can cut the fretboard to its proper size. 1 1/2 inches at the nut, 1 3/4 at the 14th fret. Makes for a slim fast neck.
And to end the day i was able to sand in the radius. This fretboard is now ready to receive its frets.
Another day of good progress. and it is not yet September.