lauburu
Well-known member
In an inspired moment last Christmas, my beloved bought me a “build your own ukulele” voucher from a local luthier, Trevor Binford. Trevor, having worked for Bob Benedetto, is a skilled archtop maker so the voucher was really a “build your own archtop ukulele” voucher. Trevor was somewhat bemused as to why anyone would want an archtop ukulele and figured “how hard could it be?” Obviously we were both in for a big learning curve.
Over 114 hours between February and November this year, in Trevor’s workshop, the instrument slowly took shape and we both learned a lot. I learned that I will never make another archtop ukulele and Trevor learned he should never agree to teach anyone else how to make an archtop ukulele. Even with a few uke builds under my belt, this was just another level of difficulty and complexity.
However, the result is very gratifying. It looks great and it sounds even better. I have a number of ukuleles, big brands, lesser brands and self made. This beats them all hands down – no contest. Sound clip to come.
Specs are: Flamed maple back and sides; birds eye maple neck; sitka spruce top; Ebony fretboard, tailpiece & headplate, plastic BWB binding, Waverly tuners.
I think strings are going to be very important as the sound is so rich and much more mellow than I anticipated. Current strings are Aquila with a wound 3rd & 4th (low G tuning). I have a number of experiments to do with Living Water strings, South Coast and Aquila reds. Also more experimentation to do with lightening the bridge to see how that affects tone.
Miguel
Over 114 hours between February and November this year, in Trevor’s workshop, the instrument slowly took shape and we both learned a lot. I learned that I will never make another archtop ukulele and Trevor learned he should never agree to teach anyone else how to make an archtop ukulele. Even with a few uke builds under my belt, this was just another level of difficulty and complexity.
However, the result is very gratifying. It looks great and it sounds even better. I have a number of ukuleles, big brands, lesser brands and self made. This beats them all hands down – no contest. Sound clip to come.
Specs are: Flamed maple back and sides; birds eye maple neck; sitka spruce top; Ebony fretboard, tailpiece & headplate, plastic BWB binding, Waverly tuners.
I think strings are going to be very important as the sound is so rich and much more mellow than I anticipated. Current strings are Aquila with a wound 3rd & 4th (low G tuning). I have a number of experiments to do with Living Water strings, South Coast and Aquila reds. Also more experimentation to do with lightening the bridge to see how that affects tone.
Miguel
