Yet another build started, .... a de Houtwinkel baritone

[Doc_J]

Body is just about ready for binding.

 

[Bill Sheehan]

Pretty darn amazing! Utmost respect to the ladies and gentlemen who have the skill and the determination to build something like this!

 

[raoliveri]

Looking great!

 

[Tiger Camo]

Stunning.

 

[Doc_J]

Ready to be bound.

 

[Wildjoy]

Wow, that is beautiful! What wood did you decide on for the binding?

 

[CTurner]

Hodge, just found this thread I'd missed. What beautiful wood and the construction looks super. Congrats!! Looking forward to the finish line.

 

[Doc_J]

Curly mango binding, cocobolo heel cap and cocobolo sapwood end graft.

 

[frets alot]

Gorgeous!

 

[ukudancer]

Gorgeous stuff.

I just finished recording with my own de Houtwinkel bari this afternoon.

 

[Doc_J]

Curly mango fret markers are in.

 

[Jim Hanks]

What's the fretboard? Zircote?

 

[Doc_J]

What's the fretboard? Zircote?

The fretboard and head plate are Macassar ebony.

 

[Jim Hanks]

The fretboard and head plate are Macassar ebony.

i saw that earlier in the thread and thought he must have changed his mind. I wasnt expecting that much figure from ebony. Gonna be a stunner

 

[Doc_J]

Frets are installed, ready for leveling, beveling, and polishing.



Daryl got the fret work completed. There’s still some neck carving/profiling and bridge making to be done before the final sanding and finishing can be done.

 

[Doc_J]

Another step closer to a finished uke. Daryl, completed the bridge. It fits well with the overall design. This bridge will have through holes for a clean look and good structural attachment.

 

[mountain goat]

looks gorgeous Hodge!
what's w/ the fret marker on the 9th though?

 

[Doc_J]

looks gorgeous Hodge!
what's w/ the fret marker on the 9th though

Thanks Jon. Builder’s decision on the 9th vs 10th fret marker. I mostly just use the 7th and 12th markers. Favilla baritones have a 9th marker instead of 10th. Guess the difference is if a player or builder is primarily a uke or guitar player.

 

[doctorapatite]

The back is together with its active bracing. The swirling figure of the cocobolo is gorgeous.
View attachment 163093
View attachment 163094

Hey @Doc_J, what's "active bracing"? I tried to look it up in the forum but didn't have any luck. Before I go down the google rabbit hole I thought I'd just ask you.

 

[Doc_J]

Hey @Doc_J, what's "active bracing"? I tried to look it up in the forum but didn't have any luck. Before I go down the google rabbit hole I thought I'd just ask you.

My understanding is that the back bracing used in this build contributes to the overall sound box vibration. So, it makes the back more "active". "active" is how the luthier described this back bracing. The more interesting bracing design on this uke is the V-Class style top bracing. I believe it was adapted from Taylor.
https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/v-class-bracing/story