in the WORKSHOP
a peek through the workshop window (if there was one)
Headless or not? That is the question.
Headless or not? As we've been playing our first solid body electric basses, we've definitely noticed the weight, particularly after playing ukuleles. Our v1.x basses, while lighter than most full-size basses, still are quite hefty. So the notion of going headless, as...
Finished up the bass body
Base Layer The finish started out with a layer of deep red. This is Milk Paint and it has a very, very flat finish. This is the base layer. Top Layer The next layer is Oyster White This will be the final surface. Milk paint starts out very flat but with a...
the iPbass pickups just arrived
More progress on the iPbass. We just got in our Geezer Butler signature pickups from EMG so we'll be routing the body to get it ready for the electronics. We're progressing on the neck and the truss rod gets installed next. Good fun.
Our Little Bass is Taking Shape
We're working on a solid body, short-scale, electric bass. Here's where we are so far. The solid body is plywood. Since she's a prototype, we're going with simple utilitarian wood. Not too heavy, not too light, but very stable and strong. It's something we can really...
Lots going on in the shop these days
We're working on a lot of Keystones including a very special chopsticks braced one. We've just added the finish on the interiors of this set and we'll be closing them up this week. We've added this step of finishing the insides to increase the weatherproofing of our...
Shop Update: ukulele_Triumph
A new chopsticks braced ukulele is taking shape in the shop. Named "Triumph" for a number of reasons, it represents the pinnacle of our chopstick bracing development. There are two key improvements to our design shown here. The first is clearly visible. We added two...
Shop Update – “Maria”
Updates on ukulele "Maria" December 26, 2014. Soundboard has been braced and the bridge plate is in place. The interior of the body has three coats of finish and has been final sanded. Also the K&K Sound Twin Spot internal pickup has been installed. Next...
New semi-hollow soprano “Maria” is underway
She looks a little like a candy bowl at this point but her semi-hollow body is taking shape. Progress! Smile when you play that!™
Shop Update – Sakonnet
November 7, 2012 Ukulele Sakonnet got her soundboard installed today. We cut her 'wobbly' soundhole, installed her bracing and her soundboard is in place. Next we're actually going to apply some finish to the inside. Since "Sakonnet' may be subjected to some unusual...
The Mutant Ukulele – A Candid Look at the Creature
September 22, 2012 Beauty or Beast? Or both perhaps? We've completed the "Mutant" ukulele to a point where we can string it up. It's not entirely finished because we'll be cutting on it and adjusting it for awhile, but it's playable. Over the next few weeks...
We Learned a Lot at Napa
After chatting with lots of folks at the Wine Country Ukulele Festival, we came away with good information about what people are looking for in ukuleles and we went right to the workshop. We're building up several new Keystone tenors and a couple of concerts to start....
Shop Update – The Monkey
August 28, 2012 The Monkey got his fretboard yesterday and now we're fine-tuning the frets. We're almost ready for finishing. Here are some update pictures. August 23, 2012 And so more updates to The Monkey. In this episode we attach the soundboard and backboard...