Untitled Lou Shields Project update

Finally got around to cutting out the top and back to Lou's Resonator.  I'll post better pics tomorrow on FB.

Going back in time, #005 - Soprano Ukulele

This one I actually started 2 years ago.  I had started it mainly because I had the wood laying around, but it got put on the backburner as I had gotten several commissioned instruments to keep me busy.  After awhile, one of our cats knocked it down, leaving a couple hairline cracks in the back, so I just shelved it indefinitely.

A few weeks ago, a childhood friend came by to hash out the details on a guitar for her oldest son.  Her middle one seemed to take a liking to all the instruments, so I offered her this one for him since I had it already partially done.  I was able to fix the cracks without having to redo it, and got it all routed and sanded over the past 2 days.  Still needs some finish sanding on the top and back before I can stain it though.

#015 - Mahogany Soprano Ukulele

Well, she's finished.  Just gotta keep adjusting the tuning every so often as the new strings break in.  Here's the specs:

• Figured African Mahogany top and back
• Bookmatched Mahogany sides
• Mahogany neck (i'd like to call it one piece, but it has an extension for the heel)
• 13.625" scale Bolivian Rosewood fretboard with mother of pearl position markers, 15 frets
• Rosewood bridge
• Overall length - 20"
• Body Length - 9"
• Upper bout - 4.5"
• Lower Bout - 6"
• Waist - 3.25"
• Gloss finish
• Cream 1/4" x .060" bindings

Took a ton of pics to try and show the grain and figuring.  When you tilt it around, it really looks holographic.

Frank's Mahogany Soprano Ukulele

Almost done, I got the whole thing glued up before heading off to the Pegboy show last weekend, and got the headstock inlaid the next day.  Past 3 days have been all about finishing.  I like doing between 5-10 coats of poly depending on how it looks.  This time I used a new method since the poly was thicker, started off super thinned out, and added more poly with each coat.  Looks pretty good, but pics dont do it justice.

Mahogany Soprano Ukulele *UPDATED*

I got woken up super early today by Regan, and couldn't get back to sleep.  She went down for a nap around 9:30 finally, so I decided to just knock out carving the neck.  Spoke to Frank yesterday, and he wanted it to be rounded, more like his Gibson, so I did my best recreating that shape from memory of how my old Les Paul and ES-335's felt.  If Regan stays asleep, or takes another nap later, I'll drill the headstock and/or start cutting the inlay for the faceplate.

The neck is wiped down with mineral spirits in all pics from cleaning, and to show the grain.

*UPDATE*

Just cut the slots for the tuners.  gonna do the inlay tomorrow

Mahogany Soprano Ukulele update

I took a week off due to both Regan and I being sick (and me throwing my back and knees out delivering a pair of 5-600 pound custom doors), and my bandsaw blade breaking while trying to cut out the neck.

I picked up a new blade yesterday, installed it this afternoon once the heat started to die down, and got it all cut out and sanded.  Ready for carving tomorrow.  The headstock faceplate hasn't been fully sanded yet, I just gave it a pass on the belt sander while I had it set up, I'll do the rest by hand.  Also added a couple perspective shots with the body at the end.

Mahagony Soprano Ukulele update

Today I did some more sanding to clean up the burn marks on the sides and flush up the bindings.  I also fretted the fretboard and traced out the profile on my neck blank.  Here's some pics, although they DO NOT do justice for the figuring on the top and back.  It really has that holographic look that I love, and I'm sure my customer will love it too.