Firstly, to all of you that said so many kind thing to me, I want to say
Mahalo Nui Loa from the bottom of my heart.
I feel so happy that my first Ukulele is received so well from all of you.
Now, on to the questions.
Seeso:
Today, I started shaping and gluing the headstock veeners. Soon it will be on to final shaping the neck.
Rubbertoe:
There are three main ways to become an Ukulele luthier.
1. Is to become an apprentice to an already established luthier. ( Hope to do this once I move to Hawai'i )
2. Is to take classes, such as from Hana Lima Ia School of Ukulele Making ( where I will be attending this fall)
3. Is to get an Ukulele Construction Manual ( like the one that Hana Lima sells that I am using ) and follow directions.
This Ukulele build is strictly from what I have leaned from the manual, and the members of the Hana Lima forum.
To learn more about Luthiery you could look at
www.hanalima.com and also check out their forum, I have learned so much from then.
Ukulele Junkie:
This is my first build, so I am learning and pratcicing on all things including inlays.
Yes, I have 3 honu ( turtles ) inlayed into the soundboard.
davooac:
I don't have any vids of myself woodworking, b/c I'm trying to save space on my memory sticks.
I do however have over 2000 pics from my process so far, and I am considering making a blog after I am done to explain the journey of a beginer luthier.
I will decide on that later.
Ukestar:
I will be finished within 2 weeks
la ingrit:
Yes, that is why my wife, son, and I are moving to Hawai'i, so that I can learn, go to school, and then become an Ukulele Luthier. ( plus my wife was born there, and we both love it there)
menehunenyc:
See above what I said to Ukestar.
tripl3thr33
See above what I said to Davoo about maybe doing a blog.
As far as selling this Ukulele, I had given it some serious thought, and this is what I came up with.
You know how in small business sometimes you see the 1st dollar that they made framed and hung up?
Well, I am going to display this one in a similar way.
I plan to keep this one, and the one that I make at Hana Lima Ia ( see above to know what that is ), But I am going to start selling Ukuleles, as soon as I have enough knowledge and practice to provide my potential customers with a top quality product.
I plan to start selling probably early 2009, and I will keep everyone posted on this forum.
Thank you again for inspiring me to continue and do better.
More updates to come in time
Aloha
Acabo'oe