in the WORKSHOP
a peek through the workshop window (if there was one)
Shop Update – The Monkey
First update for The Monkey, a Birdseye and Poplar tenor with a Maple neck. We're actually not sure of the origin of the name but we couldn't resist placing this video to put us in the mood. Shock the Monkey! So now that we have a soundtrack to our update, here we go!...
Shop Update – Little bit of this, little bit of that
I think we did just about everything today. We bent two sets of ribs, braced a soundboard, installed two pickups, slotted some fretboards, installed some frets, glued a fretboard, shaped two necks, glued a neck and worked on two semi-hollows. Not bad. And luckily it...
Shop Update – Chopsticks!
The mad scientist is back at work. It's a new bracing experiment that we're calling chopsticks, because, well... they look like chopsticks. It's not just a frivolous experiment either. In our ongoing search for new and better ways to build our ukuleles we came up with...
Shop Update – It was Fretboard Day today
It was a zen day today. Fretwork is always zen-work. Yesterday we cut fretboards, slotted them and installed frets for our four Keystones making their way through the shop. We dressed the fret-ends this morning and glued up the fretboards. Then we finished the day...
Shop Update – Dislocated my finger building ukuleles
So I was pushing down on some bracing that I was gluing and my ring finger just bent completely backward. If it had been anyone else's finger I probably would have been sick because it looked horrible, but since it was mine I just thought, "Wow, that's weird." I also...
Lots going on in the ukulele shop
As always, a dearth of posts means that lots has been going on in the shop. We've had to adjust our work schedule because the weather is heating up. It's supposed to hit 106 degrees on Saturday so we'll be trying to start around 6:00am so we can finish up in the shop...
Shop Update – “Roni”
Ukulele "Roni" is named for American film star and pinup, Veronica Lake. As such, we've gone all blonde on her wood, with Birdseye Maple on her sides and Curly Maple front and back. Even her neck will be executed in sleek quartersawn Maple. We're moving along nicely...
Shop Update – “Duke”
Duke is flowing smoothly through the shop. Terrific progress. He'll be in finishing this week. Smile when you play that!™
Shop update – “Maples”
May 19, 2012 Maples will go to finish this week. Pretty complex build for a Keystone with lots of little keystone details. The sound hole, side soundport, heel cap and bridge are all keystone shaped. Maples is currently in final sanding and will head to...
Shop Update – Breeze
May 14, 2012 It was fretboard day in the shop yesterday. We were cutting, slotting and fretting lots of boards. Got a new shipment of Rosewood in, one of the few fairly exotic woods we still use. We're still looking for a good, more common alternative. Breeze...
Shop Update – Terrific day in the shop
Busy day in the shop today. We were in the zone. I'm a giant sawdust-ball. OK here's the run-down. Maples Akinori Breeze Duke & More Yep it was a busy day today. Tomorrow we'll be bracing the Duke, installing some pickups and bracing some...
Peekin’ in the ukulele workshop window
We've been very busy lately getting ready for the Reno Ukulele Festival but we're having some fun in the ukulele workshop too. Too much computer work makes Dave a dull boy so we make sure to play in the sawdust a bit as well. Bruce Next up for Bruce, We'll put...