Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

15" scale concert ukulele in Blackheart Sassafras and Adirondack Spruce.

Blackwood bindings and Pink Recon-Stone highlights. This is the first time I've gone with this style of cutaway. I quite like the look. Strung up with Worth Browns gCea. Finished in high gloss polyurethane.

Hi Allen,

Looks gorgeous - as usual!
That cutaway looks great!
Any comments about the stone? I have often wondered about using (recon) stone for dot markers, etc.

Thanks,
GregL.

I like the recon stone. I cut it with my laser. I imagine it would be dead easy with other tools too. Some of the very figured pieces I've use will fracture / crumble for instance when I do fret markers. The bond between the various colores not being too strong. As long as you use it with that in mind and in the appropriate application, I can't see any issues.

Impressively Splendid colour tones Allen!
In regards to recon tiles, would thin ca glue hold the fragile stone better whole processing?
Does the lazer explode the crumbly tile?

Gaz

No, the laser doens't pose the problem. It's when you go to tap into place something like a diamond fret marker like I have that the occasional one will break apart.

This pink stone was fine, but I have another pattern that has several blobs of different colors that have less structural integrity.

Wonderful work as always Allen, you are an inspiration!
Cheers Cal

And the bar goes yet higher... A beautiful piece of art that happens to also be a ukulele.

I actually don't like the back pattern, but have only admiration for the skill level. Every time I look at your ukes I have to restrain myself from reaching for my credit card. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.

Very nice Allen. I am about to attempt a scoop cutaway like that on a drednaught size guitar. Do you have any recommendations about method? My plan is to reinforce with an extra layer of spruce under the surrounding area of the soundboard, and also double the side in that region. Then to draw the area to be cut away, using a piece of PVC pipe (90ml diameter is about right for my job) cut at a 45 degree angle as a template, and cut it a bit inside that line with a saw. Then sand out the scoop using sand paper wrapped around a similar PVC pipe. Finally glue in a veneer of the same timber as my binding. Is that anything like your approach, or have you got a better way?
Mark

I follow Kent Everetts method of doing the bevel cutaway. The process is pretty much the same. His video is available on Robbie Obrien's website. I highly recommend you follow the steps he outlines as missing one will really make the process a nightmare for fit and finish.

This style was far easier than the previous ones where the veneer flowed around the horn more like a venetian cutaway. That one was the most difficult woodworking I've ever done.

OK, I actually already have the Robbie/Kent dvd for the arm bevel (don’t we all?), so I will go with that concept. Thanks for the guidance.