A full day in the workshop, Just a perfect place to be on this cold wintry day. The goal was to get the two Kasha Tenors strung up. It began with carefully positioning the bridges in the right place and surrounding them with blue tape. Then scraping the shellac finish off with a razor blade.
Next I made these little guards to fit over the saddle to provide a flat place for the clamps to apply pressure on the bridge. They worked just great. The bridge is slightly rounded and these spread the pressure from end to end.
Now for the glue on both pieces- and clamp er down.
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Once both Ukes were glued and clamped it was time to turn to the buffalo bone for nuts.
Lots of work with the sander and jewelers saw to get the bones ground down to the right shape and size. This nut fits in the slot now but needs to be trimmed and shaped with a file.
 I'll get two nuts out of this piece. |  Here is a little device I made to hold thin pieces of bone to the sander. Saves fingers. |
 Shaping the nut with a file. |  Now it's time to install the tuners. The rubber band helps to get a grip on them as they are screwed in. |
Finally, the holes were drilled for the strings and at 5;15 I brought them upstairs to string them by the fireplace as I sipped a martini. The two new Kashas joined #100 as I eagerly strung them. Always a fun moment when you tighten the first string and hear the instrument sing. I was thrilled- these Kashas are very good. I really have no idea which one I will decide to keep. I will sell two.
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Here is #100. I have been playing it for about a month now and I really like it. It continues to mature , sounding smoother and more balanced by the day as I play it in. The Redwood soundboard and East Indian Rosewood sides and back result in a rich warm tone that I find very pleasing. It would be hard to part with this tenor.
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This is Kasha Tenor #102. It has a Torrified spruce top from Pacific Rim Tonewood, and incredible Cocobolo back and sides. The wildest grained wood I have ever worked with or maybe ever seen. This one would be tough to sell because I will never find wood like this again, plus it sounds wonderful. Deep and rich with huge resonance. It will be fun to listen to this uke mature as I play it over the next several weeks. Truly a unique and beautiful instrument.
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This is # 103, and it may turn out to be the best of the three. I had never used Port Orford Cedar before but I was expecting a brighter instrument. I was right, Perhaps the lovely Bocote back and sides contribute to its clarion clear precise trebles yet the bass strings are rich and mellow. I really like the looks and the sound and I am going to be hard pressed to sell this baby. I will try to get some more Port Orford Cedar for soundboards. I think I am sold on it.
This has been a long and satisfying day and I have been alternating between these three Kashas for about two hours now. Number 100 has been singing, "Keep me-Keep-me".
#103 keeps saying "hear my crystal clarity, and see my beauty" and 102 just sings in her sultry voice and says "you will never find another like me" What am I to do, but play them all til I can decide. Think I will pour myself a little night cap and play just a bit more.
#103 keeps saying "hear my crystal clarity, and see my beauty" and 102 just sings in her sultry voice and says "you will never find another like me" What am I to do, but play them all til I can decide. Think I will pour myself a little night cap and play just a bit more.
