Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

This concert uke was built along with a Blackwood tenor. Using a Spanish heel.

Micheal Connor and I spied this piece of Sheoak in John Maddisons shed. He'll swear that he had plans of carving it, but we both suspected that when the cold Albany winter set in, it was destined for the fire place.

So what to do? Liberate it of course, and put it to a more noble use.

Top is Engelman Spruce. Binding is some Cocobolo that I thought set off the dark highlights in the sheoak. Neck is Qld. Maple. Headplate and back strap are a burl that Tim Spittle sent me some time ago. Don't know the species, but it goes well with sheoak.

Finish is Whittle PNZ Hardwax over WEST Systems Epoxy for a pore filler.

You're not bad at this caper. The headstock veneer looks like myrtle.

Cheers Hip.

Allen wrote:Micheal Connor and I spied this piece of Sheoak in John Maddison's shed. He'll swear that he had plans of carving it, but we both suspected that it was destined for the fire place.

What can I say, Allen, but my loss is your gain . That is a truly wonderful piece you have created out of a lump of (well, almost) firewood. I'm so glad you've put it to very good use - it was one of those blocks of wood that sat there waiting for someone to bring out it's true beauty, and you've done just that. Congratulations!

How does she sound? And what species is the bridge & fretboard? ... and are the friction tuners the ones we scored from David Hurd? They look pretty heavy-duty.

Cheers

Lovely work Allen, it is really good to see WA Sheoak given its due it is a wonderful tonewood in every respect.

Cheers

Kim

Been busy Allen. Nicely done.

I'm glad that we managed to get out of Albany with that bit of wood John.

The tuners are the ones from David. I know that they are more traditional, but I still prefer the greared ones.

Fret board is Ebony with a brown streak in it that I really like. Managed to cut 4 from 1 guitar blank. Bridge is IRW.

Sound is nice, but the A string is a little muted compared to the others. It's getting better as the days go buy. Only 3 now, so hopefully as it settles in the tone will even out.

Looks great Allen. You have been busy lately.

These little guys seem to be popular. Nice looking instruments Allen as always. Two guitars and two Ukes in the same month or so, thats one busy guy.

Actually, 3 ukes Taffy, and thanks for the compliment.

It's been an exercise in planning each step along the way in order to work as efficiently as possible. It helps when I set myself a deadline, so I don't get side tracked.

Allen wrote:Actually, 3 ukes Taffy, and thanks for the compliment.

It's been an exercise in planning each step along the way in order to work as efficiently as possible. It helps when I set myself a deadline, so I don't get side tracked.

I say we call the IOC testers in Taffy, I reckon this blokes enhanced. Seems very strange to me that we've had 5 beautiful instruments from one member in a little over a month and then all of a sudden some bloke (probably Al's HGH dealer) just by coincidence happens to turn up at the ANZLF right on Bob's birthday trying to flog Viagra tabs to us all.......How did he know????

Its all very suspicious if you ask me.

Cheers

kim

Great work Allen - very nice

Hey Allen,

I have found some potential clients for your wonderful Uke's.


youtu.be/

Watch it until the end. These guys are fantastic.... cheers, jb