Thanks guys ! This was my first time working with a gourd. Not too difficult. The gourds were dry and ready to use when I got them. First I washed them. Just scrubbed them with warm soapy water. Then I cut the top portion off with a regular hand saw. Then I cleaned out the inside of the gourd with a small wire brush and warm water. This is to remove the pulp like material from the inside walls of the gourd. Then I traced the gourd on a piece of 1/4 luan plywood to make the top. Cut the top out with a sabre saw. The neck is a 24 inch piece of poplar 1x2. Cut notches (for the neck) in gourd just like you would a cigar box. Glue the top on the gourd with neck in place. I used Gorilla glue. Next time I'll use regular wood glue. The Gorilla glue expands too much. It squeezed out onto the gourd a little bit. I then screwed the neck to the top. Installed toothpick frets. Applied 2 coats of clear spray shellac. It has a 17 inch scale. Threaded rod for nut and bridge. Nylon strings. Overall is plays and sounds nice. I little awkward to handle at first.
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