Soundboard thickness variaton on new custom uke: advice needed

I am looking for advice and opinions on the effects of a soundboard thickness problem. About a week ago I received a custom built ukulele from a very well-known and respected luthier. It arrived with rough sanding marks around the bridge, so I sent it back for surface refinishing. The luthier apologized and assured me the sanding marks were just an oversight and a refinish would not effect the wood thickness (a concern of mine). Well after a week at the luthier's shop I was informed that refinish was much better but not to the satisfaction of the luthier, and given several options, of having a new one built or take this one at a discount. The ukulele was returned to me to examine.

The surface finish was vastly improved, very nice, in fact. But I noticed the soundboard thickness had been dramatically altered. The right side of the soundboard on the lower bout (A-string side) now has a taper, beginning at the edge of the bridge linearly decreasing to almost zero thickness at the edge. This is a result of the refinish. I have attached a picture of the lower bout with my engineers square (for reference) showing this. There is a slight depression on the other side of the soundboard too. [The luthier did say that the finish was not up to his standard.]

I have two concerns. One is that the thin section is structurally weak and will lead to cracks in the sound board down the road. And, I swear, it sounds a bit different now.

Are my concerns (and hearing) faulty? Am I being too picky? Is there anything else I should consider? Would you recommend keeping the uke or having a replacement made? I have been given the option of a steep discount or having a replacement built? I am leaning towards a replacement, as I am worried about long term cracking. Advice would be much appreciated.

The luthier has been very good to work with on this problem, a nice person and more than fair to me.

Doc if this were my custom, I would reject it and ask the luthier for a new soundboard. I'm sure he isn't pleased with it as any true craftsman wouldn't be. I'm sure something can be worked out with him but again, I would reject it in its current condition. I don't think you are being picky.

Either a new top or a new square.

New top, or, if you like the new sound, keep it, but ask for a portion of your money back, as you essentially have a "second".

Let me clarify. The luthier has generously offered to build an entire new one for me, or I can keep this one at deep discount.

I do like the current, but flawed uke. However, if this thinned soundboard might be a problem in the future, I will take his offer to build me a new one.

So, my question is: Will this thinned soundboard be a problem (cracks) down the road?

I would be very concerned about that, and would take the "new uke" option, without a doubt.

John Colter.

Depends How much of a discount eh and if you dig the sound, you dig....The new one sounds like a better idea...

How is the sound now? Is it louder? Brighter? Just too curious, I gotta ask.

Vic D said:

How is the sound now? Is it louder? Brighter? Just too curious, I gotta ask.

Click to expand...

Hi Vic,

The G, C, E strings sound the same. The A-string sounds like it has a few more harmonics, just a little. Its "ring" isn't quite as sharp as before. I can only quantify it as just a little more "banjo-like". I don't know that I care for that. I did record a sound sample of the uke before I sent it back. So I can verify the difference is real, not in my head. Oh the A string is a bit louder too.

Doc_J said:

Hi Vic,

The G, C, E strings sound the same. The A-string sounds like it has a few more harmonics, just a little. Its "ring" isn't quite as sharp as before. I can only quantify it as just a little more "banjo-like". I don't know that I care for that. I did record a sound sample of the uke before I sent it back. So I can verify the difference is real, not in my head. Oh the A string is a bit louder too.

Click to expand...

Thank you, Doc.

You might want to think of it this way. Have you hung onto every single instrument you have bought? If not, there may come a time when you want to upgrade, or just become interested in a different sound. When you then offer this instrument for sale, are you going to disclose that it is essentially a second? Will the luthier want this potentially compromised instrument floating around on the market with his name on it? Right now the luthier is offering to stand behind his work & provide you with a discount for your trouble but you both may see things a little differently 2 years from now. When I had a woodworking shop, I refused to even give away something that I wasn't 100% proud of because there will always come the time when someone says, "Oh, I see, that's an example of your work."

I'm sure the discount is tempting but I would opt for the replacement uke and in addition I would expect the luthier to sweeten the deal. He should have never sent you a custom instrument that did not come up to his standards. Sounds to me like someone who is not in control of their business.

I would definitely not want a new top. Tearing the fingerboard off, taking the top off and fitting a new one back on. Odds are it still is not going to look right.

You should not have been put through this in the first place if this is a pro you are dealing with. If he is a new up and coming builder then I might cut him some more slack and expect his price to reflect that.

Thanks everyone for your input. That really helped.

I decided to opt for a new replacement uke.

The luthier generously offered to let me keep this one until the new one is ready.
I don't know when the replacement will be ready, my guess is 6 months from now.

olgoat52 said:

I'm sure the discount is tempting but I would opt for the replacement uke and in addition I would expect the luthier to sweeten the deal. He should have never sent you a custom instrument that did not come up to his standards. Sounds to me like someone who is not in control of their business.

I would definitely not want a new top. Tearing the fingerboard off, taking the top off and fitting a new one back on. Odds are it still is not going to look right.

You should not have been put through this in the first place if this is a pro you are dealing with. If he is a new up and coming builder then I might cut him some more slack and expect his price to reflect that.

Click to expand...

Well said, I couldn't have put it better. In my opinion I think it would be in the best interest of BOTH parties to start over. Even if it seems acceptable now, such a thin spot in the sound board jeopardizes the integrity of the uke that'll only get worse with time.