If you think you can't do something, damn well do it anyway :)

Beau Hannam Ukuleles

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On a thread started, i think by Pete, the question came up if its a good idea to strive to attempt things which the outcome is not 100% certain.

This end graft is like that- i didn't know if i could do all the joints well, but i did it anyway.

The miters and fading purfling turned out perfect! Lucky me.
This is a Zen fading line end graft designed around what will be a pickup jack in the middle.

Also, arm bevel in walnut burl fading into ebony (with the help of stain).


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For first time/new builders reading this, there is a limit to pushing the limit. Dont bother with bevels and scoops, but go a little further then you think you can.
 

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Pete's right. Beau. You're doing the kind of work I envisioned doing 30 years ago, but I couldn't even envision it well, let alone do the work. Hat's off to you!
 
After seeing the walnut burl armrest and then the scoop................I need a private moment with myself. Stunning absolutely stunning
 
I have a good friend who will never do anything unless he is absolutely sure that he will be successful. He never does anything.
 
Wow Beau, wow. A little less than a year ago after I bought my first bass uke, I got a bug to convert a short electric guitar to a bass uke (the Les Paul in my signature). At first I hesitated, worried that it would be too much to handle, then I joined the Talk Bass forum and read a thread on modding. The participants encouraged me and I went ahead. I have to say, it came out better than I thought, it's a keeper.
 
Thanks for the thread. I have all the bits to make a stick Uke (strings, turners, fret metal, and pattern) but have been putting it off - I'm not sure how long to leave the wood to dry - it was out on a lawn for about a month, and it's been drying about the same amount of time in our lean too. I really need to bite the bullet and just do it.

PS I'm not usually spontaneous - that is until I brought a Ukelele! :)
 
Those walnut burls transitioning into the ebony binding are bloody awesome.
 
hahaha

Walnut burl always brings class to whatever it is on- instruments, inlay, furniture.

Yeah, or how about the dashboard of your car... Mmmmmm, so nice.

Anyway, Beau, your vision and your work are awe-inspiring!

For me it's always a compromise between the scintillating picture in my head and the reality of what my eyes, my hands and my tools are capable of. Nevertheless, the bar has to keep going up - no complacency.
 
Thanks :)

I just make most things up on the spot, just like this butt inlay! - well, i think about it for 10 mins.

Inlay scenes (like attached) have to be thought out though.

Tenor guitar headstock.jpg
 
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