Comment

Comment by Habanera Hal on August 30, 2012 at 8:30am

Thanks Digly!  Scale length will be 17" (tenor uke), 14 frets to body joint.  The body measures 11" x 8" and is dreadnought shaped after my Kamoa Grand Concert.  Right now I'm a bit stuck as to how to finish the poplar neck and I ran short of binding so waiting for that. 

Comment by Diglydog on August 30, 2012 at 2:48am

That's a really tidy little Uke Hal. The pic with the clothes pegs gives a great idea of the scale.

I recently tried water soluble black stain (the liquid concentrate) but I had problems getting it to take. It worked a lot better when I diluted it with meths instead of water. No idea what wood I was using. May be worth a try on a scrap bit of wood.

Comment by Habanera Hal on August 30, 2012 at 2:39am

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your comments.  After all, you're the ones that have inspired me on this journey.  As this was to be a prototype, I really just used woods I had in the shop.  Not really sure how the walnut/lacewood combo is going to look when finished.  The neck is a problem, too, as poplar doesn't take stain well, and with the wenge fretboard, I don't want to just lacquer it black.

I'm a little encouraged by a piece of scrap I treated with Minwax Wood Conditioner then stained with Water-based Rosewood stain.  Came out looking okay, so I may try that process with Walnut to match the sides.

Comment by Mark Lillo on August 30, 2012 at 12:35am

Nice work Hal, I really like your choice of woods too.

Comment by Bluesheart on August 29, 2012 at 7:31am

Wow, that is some serious building! Very nice.

Comment by Uncle John on August 29, 2012 at 7:14am

Yup. Hal is a real luthier.  Uke is looking good,