First Uke Finally Off The Ground

[Hippety Hop]

Here's the result of last weekend's little exercise. I finally got a piece of shell (washboard mussel) big enough for the tree trunk.




It was rather dark, because Mark had the blind down to keep the hot sun out. Then one of the stupid globes on the head magnifier died, and I'm buggered if I know where to get them.



Well, it turned out a bit sloppy. I hacked it a bit trying to make it fit. Anyway, Mark's happy with it. That's the main thing. He smoothed it out and wiped on a thin coat of tung oil.



We also have the bolt inserted and it fits nicely. Still haven't got a fretboard and bridge. Nor have I found any suitable screws for the bridge, but I can always scrape and glue.

Hip.

[Allen]

Looking good. You should be able to find those bulbs at Dick Smith's.

[DarwinStrings]

A bit sloppy is good with inlay. you don't want everyone thinking you have a CNC machine Hip. Looks great from where I sit.

Jim

[Hippety Hop]

Assembly instructions included...



This thing is for marking the fretboard. The slider part fits the fret-cutting mitre box. The 13th fret isn't quite right, but that's not the only thing...



And I used Mark McLean's bike tube idea to glue the thing on...



Just the bridge to be sanded, and I'm expecting to have to shape the fretboard extension underneath to fit the radiused top.

Should be able to finish it next weekend. Hope so - there's better ukes waiting to be made.

Cheers Hip.

[Dave White]

Hip,

That's looking good. What is it with you Ozzies and the rubber bondage thing?

[Hippety Hop]

Finished it today. Screwed the bridge on, filed the nut slots and strung her up.









The intonation is good. Doesn't sound as good as it taps, but with any luck it'll improve over a period of months.

Zeke seems happy with it.

Hip.

[Bob Connor]

Nice work Hip. Beautiful looking piece of wood in the top and the palm tree inlay really sets it off.

[ozziebluesman]

Gee that Ukulele looks spectacular. Congratulations Hip!!

Cheers

Alan

[Allen]

Turned out great Hip. I like the design of the bridge and saddle. Do you have plans on starting another one soon?

[Kim]

Great work Hip, very nice wood, great inlay and one happy look'in Zeke.

Cheers

Kim

[Hippety Hop]

Thanks fellas. We are kinda proud of ourselves, but I wouldn't go to sea in it.

The bolt on neck and screw on bridge turned out quite rigid, in spite of the fact that there is a tiny point of light under the fretboard, and the heel section didn't go as flush to the body as I'd hoped for.

Several things went wrong actually. Example - one of the router base lock nuts came loose while slotting the bridge at about 30000 revs, but the wiggly slot helps keep the saddle tight.

Two other ukes on the go.
A concert with maple top & neck, zebrawood back & sides, lace sheoak binding, rosette & headstock veneer.
A soprano with streaky myrtle top, zebra b&s, lace sheoak neck, Tim's rope rosette & purfling, plastic turtle binding.

The zebrawood's a bugger to bend. Looks fantastic though.

Better go to work.
Cheers Hip.

[kiwigeo]

Thats one Hip looking Uke mate. A lovely looking instrument and I love the headstock inlay.

[PHANTOM]

Been following this one since the start mate. The finished uke and the inlay both look great.

[kiwigeo]

Several things went wrong actually. Example - one of the router base lock nuts came loose while slotting the bridge at about 30000 revs, but the wiggly slot helps keep the saddle tight.

Know how you feel mate. I had the same thing happen while cutting a rosette channel with a Dremel in a Stewmac router base. I ended up routing right through a 3A grade Sitka top. On the second attempt I cut one of the channels on the wrong side of the pencil mark. On the third attempt I got it right.