These important ukulele parts play an important role in what an instrument looks like, and after all, eye appeal is important to your enjoyment second only to sound.
I have sawed the fretboard to shape, sanded it, installed marker dots top and side, and installed the frets. Now it is ready to marry to the instrument. Here you see it firmly clamped to the neck as the glue sets. This is always an exciting time in building as we are getting close to the finish line.
I chose Honduran Rosewood for the fretboard because of its predominant brown color. The Bubinga back and sides will finish a lovely reddish brown, the Port Orford soundboard has a brownish tinge as will the Spanish Cedar neck. The Hon. Rosewood looks just right. I used gold "evo" fretwire and gold mother of pearl for the dots, This is going to be a very pretty uke.
The bridge will be Hon. Rosewood of course, The last choice is the peg head plate. I tried dark wood for contrast but didn't like it so I turned to my large stash of Spalted Maple. I selected these two candidates. Both would blend nicely, add interest and beauty. Which should I use?
I think this will be my choice. Got to inlay the g and then I will know. I kind of like that little scroll work on top done by the spalting process.
Plus- it is a lovely piece of wood. Looking forward to shaping it to the head stock tomorrow.