2xbass
Well-known member
I don't usually do "new uke day" posts but couldn't help myself with this one. In fact it was hard not to post it until I had it in my hands. FedEx arrived with my new beauty this morning and I just gave it a quick run through and am about to change the strings.
First off, here are three links with camera work courtesy of Corrie Woods:
Construction photos
Finished photos
Video of Jay playing the uke
The audio clips at the second link are, if I recall correctly, with Thomastik CF30 and CF35 and Hannabach High Tension 815SS.
The video has the uke strung up with D'Addario (EJ45 I think) 4th and 5th for the basses and Oasis GPX+ 2nd and 3rd strings for the trebles.
I'm just about to restring it back to Thomastiks on the bottom but with Hannabach Super Low Tensions on the top.
Let me just talk a bit about the experience of working with Jay. He's a craftsman and a gentleman. He's truly a real pleasure to work with. Most importantly for me, he's not afraid to experiment. The fact that he's a great player as well as a luthier was a huge bonus in all our discussions. There were many things to get figured out and Jay was always very helpful, suggestive, and patient with the many details I would go back and forth on.
The basic premise for this uke was a regular baritone size body with a 22.25" scale giving 16 frets to the body plus a cutaway. I've been playing a Pono Baritone Nui with 23" scale in preparation for getting the uke from Jay but the Nui body was just too damn big for me.
I also wanted a completely pristine top with no fixed bridge, no soundhole, and a cantilevered fingerboard. I figured one large or two smaller soundports and Jay did the most awesome thing and gave me four and even made them progressively smaller along the body.
I chose the woods based mostly on transparency of tone and balanced response across the range with some warmth. The finger rest is Snakewood and Jay made the strap buttons from the same wood.
I feel truly spoiled by this instrument and look forward to playing the heck out of it.
First off, here are three links with camera work courtesy of Corrie Woods:
Construction photos
Finished photos
Video of Jay playing the uke
The audio clips at the second link are, if I recall correctly, with Thomastik CF30 and CF35 and Hannabach High Tension 815SS.
The video has the uke strung up with D'Addario (EJ45 I think) 4th and 5th for the basses and Oasis GPX+ 2nd and 3rd strings for the trebles.
I'm just about to restring it back to Thomastiks on the bottom but with Hannabach Super Low Tensions on the top.
Let me just talk a bit about the experience of working with Jay. He's a craftsman and a gentleman. He's truly a real pleasure to work with. Most importantly for me, he's not afraid to experiment. The fact that he's a great player as well as a luthier was a huge bonus in all our discussions. There were many things to get figured out and Jay was always very helpful, suggestive, and patient with the many details I would go back and forth on.
The basic premise for this uke was a regular baritone size body with a 22.25" scale giving 16 frets to the body plus a cutaway. I've been playing a Pono Baritone Nui with 23" scale in preparation for getting the uke from Jay but the Nui body was just too damn big for me.
I also wanted a completely pristine top with no fixed bridge, no soundhole, and a cantilevered fingerboard. I figured one large or two smaller soundports and Jay did the most awesome thing and gave me four and even made them progressively smaller along the body.
I chose the woods based mostly on transparency of tone and balanced response across the range with some warmth. The finger rest is Snakewood and Jay made the strap buttons from the same wood.
I feel truly spoiled by this instrument and look forward to playing the heck out of it.
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