Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

This one was a commission for a returning client in the USA. Asked if I ever made Bass Uke's and it just so happened I had just finished the previous one. He saw the pictures and wanted one similar. So after dealing with ukulele class's both for the festival and then in my workshop, I finally had enough time to finish this one.

Back and Sides - Tiger Myrtle
Top - Western Red Cedar
Fret Board - Ebony
Neck - Spanish Cedar with CF truss rod
Bridge - Gidgee
Head Plate - Jarrah
Finish - MIrotone
Tuners - Hipshot Ultralites
Pickup - K&K twin spot internal
Strings - Road Toad

I did not know there was such a critter. Gorgeous work!!
I wonder if there is a sound clip of one of these?

I'm no bass player by any stretch of the imagination. However they are tuned EADG just like a regular bass is. They really need to by amplified to work, though there is a surprising amount of volume out of this one. It just doesn't carry though.

When you pluck the strings the entire instrument purrs to life.

Another triumph, Allen. It looks fantastic. Elaine absolutely loves her one.
Miguel

Love your work Allen, Schmick as ever and I like the shape. The larger lower bout area, is this the 'norm' for Barron River guitars now or did you just up the area for some bass & volume boost on these beauty's?

The body shape is a scaled down version of the first guitar I drew up. And I switched my entire ukulele line over to this. I far prefer the more feminine shape.

I started off like most people doing Martin copies because those were the plans that were available, but I've never been a fan of the squared off tail and neck block. Makes sense if you are going with a bolt on or dovetail neck, but when you build with a Spanish Heel, doing something like those nice rounded shoulders is no big deal.

I've got 3 sopranos in various stages right now, and doing one that small is a challenge. That upper bout and waist takes some finesse.

Allen wrote:The body shape is a scaled down version of the first guitar I drew up. And I switched my entire ukulele line over to this. I far prefer the more feminine shape.

Like that pulled in waist myself Allen, gives the shape a more sensual look.

Another great looking Barron River Guitar Uke Bass!

In the frontal view the balance between rosette an binding thickness, and also between the soundhole, upper and lower bout seem just perfect to me. You can be sure that when a couple of centuries ahead some historian will pick up this instrument he will start mesuring rosette elements and binding thickness, hoping to find the secret of the uke's outstanding sound (with then so-called historically correct strings) by doing strange calculations to deviate golden ratio rules etc...



(No, I did NOT say your bass-uke was fat )

Yep I agree with the great looking shape.

Innovative and first class again Allen.

Cheers

Alan