Second Ukulele Build Townsville

[ozziebluesman]

Hi there to you all,

Joel from Kingfisher Furniture and my self have run another successful five week week Ukulele Build. We learnt much from the first build course, made a few jig changes and we were able to complete the builds comfortably in five weeks. I am very proud of the efforts here, some very nice builds so congratulations to all the student instrument builders.

All Ukulele's used Black Wattle back and sides with, Silver Ash, Silkwood, Black Wattle and Queensland Walnut used for top material. Appointments where varied from, Jarra, Mango, Black Wattle, Gidgee and Walnut. The necks where all silkwood with a Spanish heel neck join.

Here are a few pictures and thanks for your interest...

Cheers

Alan

[kiwinoz62]

Congratulations to the students and tutors. . . the choice of tonewood compliment the builds, well done.

[ozziebluesman]

Thanks Wayne, we had a great deal of fun and it is very rewarding to be able to pass on some instrument building skills and maybe find some new budding builders.

Cheers

Alan

[ac124]

Student in this course and new forum member here, hello to all.

Big thanks to Alan and Joel for their guidance, skill, professionalism and good humour throughout the five session course.
Having always wanted to build an instrument over the 37 years I have been playing I finally got the chance for my 50th birthday (thanks to my better half).

When I saw the sign outside the Kingfisher shed about a ukelele building course I knew I had found the perfect way to celebrate a half century and it proved to be incredibly engrossing, totally enjoyable and immensely satisfying, particularly holding and playing the finished uke.

I enjoyed the experience so much that I gently coaxed Alan into taking on another student guitar build at his home workshop when he probably thought he wasn't going to be taking on any more and might actually have time to concentrate on his own projects. This is also courtesy of my beloved brothers, sister and wonderful mum who have banded together to make this happen also to mark my half ton year. I'm a lucky lad and feeling very spoilt to have both of these build opportunities and Alan as my mentor/tutor over the coming weeks.

I have chosen to do an 018 style 14 fret to body in Blackwood sides and back, Lutz top and Silkwood neck (same timber Joel has used for his neck on his Paperbark OM build with Alan - thank you Joel!) with most likely Indian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge. I want to get some Huon pine in there somewhere so thinking maybe a central strip in the headplate between some Blackwood and also for the binding.

We are due to start our first 4 hour session next week and I am so looking forward to starting the journey.

Here are a couple of pics of my finished uke - I must admit I was a bit envious of some of the other timber combination choices. Donna's (bottom uke in pic 2 at top of thread) and Hans' (3rd from top in pic 2) in particular caught my eye once finished in shellac and looked fabulous. That said I do love mine and am particularly pleased with the neck which I put a lot of effort and patience into shaping. Here she is.





Cheers

Greg

[ozziebluesman]

Welcome Greg to the forum.

If you can do as good a job on the 018 as you have on the Ukulele you will have a winner mate.

Looking forward to getting started on your build.

Great photo's of the Uke too!

Cheers

Alan