Hi guys,
It's finished !!!
I've finally found the time to complete the uke.
Here are some images. A classic beauty, I think.
Finish is pure tung oil, 7 coats, took me 3 weeks ...
The grommets of the Gotoh UKB's were too small for the predrilled holes in the headstock, had to find a work around, mixing and matching parts from a couple old tuners I had lying around - works well. Total weight strung is 267 grams, it is lighter than all my other ukes and very resonant. Sound is really nice. The spruce makes for a very immediate and precise response with good dynamic range.
It's currently strung with d'Addario black nylon with a Fremont fluoro low g string. My favorite combo I have on two other ukes.
Total building time I estimate at 35 hours or so. Worth it? Yes, absolutely, in my opinion.
Full specs:
Model: JBS 1 uke
Construction: spruce blocks, basswood lining, bamboo bridge plate, 2 dowel neck joint
Body size: soprano ukulele
Bracing pattern: standard soprano
Brace material: spruce
Back and side material: white oak
Top material: spruce
Neck material: okoume
Neck profile: flat D shape
Nut material: bone
Nut string spacing: 28mm
Headplate: khaya
Fingerboard material: rosewood
Scale length: 346mm
Number of frets: 15, joined at 12th
Fingerboard width at nut: 34mm
Fingerboard width at 12th fret: 43mm
Fingerboard position inlays: 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th
Bridge material: rosewood
Bridge string spacing: 40mm
Saddle material: bone
Binding material: white ABS
Finish: tung oil
Tuners: Gotoh UKB friction tuners with white buttons
Strings: d’Addario black nylon strings, Fremont black fluorocarbon low G string
String height at 12th fret: 2mm
Weight: 267g