Monday 19 September 2011

In The Local Paper.

There is a feature in the current Salisbury Journal about my ukulele Building exploits.  The lovely Anne Morris and Tom Gregory came and spent some time in the workshop.  I talked them through my process of building ukuleles and showed them around the workshop.

The article is also available online:

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/leisure/entertainments/9250695.Crafting_music/

Making The Neck


Having cut the fret slots I began to rough out the shape of the neck....


Using a rasp to rough profile the neck....


Planing the headstock flat....


The neck is now ready for fretting....

Monday 12 September 2011

Cigar Box Soprano, Bracing The Top


Soundhole cut, top ready for bracing...


Douglas Fir braces glued in place, Cherry bridge plate.

Cigar Box Soprano, Continued


I've selected a lovely piece of American Cherry for the neck.  The plans show the scale of the neck.  This will be a 14" scale, slightly larger than my normal sopranos.


I've changed my mind on the top, abandoning the Cedar for a piece of English Cherry.  It will be rather more hard-wearing and will be a better match for the Cherry neck!

Cigar Box Soprano, Continued


I've removed the top of the box, tidied up the joints and glued the lid shut...


Top of Western Red Cedar being planed to thickness.

Monday 5 September 2011

Next Project...


This battered old Henri Wintermans box will soon be a lovely soprano cigar box ukulele.

I'm going to try an English cherry top this time...