fretboards and straps?

Is there anywhere that I can order a pre-slotted ebony fretboard? I know Hana Lima Ia used to sell them, but they are out of stock.

If no one sells them that way, then can someone point me in the direction of a fret saw that isn't too expensive? Stew Mac has a couple, but I feel they are very overpriced.

And lastly, do any of you use a strap with your uke, and if so where did you get it?
For some reason I don't feel comfortable without one, but I can't find the right one for the uke.

Thank you in advance!

~F

Hi! F,
you can buy them at lmii.com
you just need to order the ukulele/mandolin fretboard and add slotting service.
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpr...eProdHeader=Mandolin+and+Ukulele+Fingerboards
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpr...gerboards&NameProdHeader=Fingerboard+Slotting

I think they have some instruction in these pages.
Good luck

JC

edit:
about the strap, I just use regular guitar strap. It works fine with my ukes.
I did get some smaller strap buttons though. I think the one I got is 3/8" wide, which is smaller than the guitar strap buttons. I think....

I like using the Uke Leash - I have a vintage ukulele so I didn't want to drill any holes or stick anything to it. I was also worried about the straps where you stick a hook in the sound hole. It's very comfortable to wear, easy to use, I'm not worried about dropping my uke ever.. I'm very pleased with it.

Harbor Freight sells a Japanese flush cut saw that works for fretting. Keep in mind that if you slot your own frets, it is pretty imperative that you use a template of some kind. I bought a preslotted fretboard and used that instead of shelling out the $35 for the template from Stewmac. It works, but obviously a real template would work better. So, if this is just a one time thing (which probably won't end up being the case...) it might be better to just buy it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/japanese-flush-cut-saw-39273.html

It's on sale though...hard to pass up!

The "Uke Thong" that lovingforkful mentioned above is similar to a classical guitar strap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A4fxUluWgY

Thanks for the help everyone!

The japanese type saws work well for cutting fret slots. I have a stew-mac saw that I don't like much (the only item I've bought from them that I didn't like)
Go the the MIMF.com and download the wfret calculator program. You'll have to sign up as a member and go to the library section but its all free. It will print out a template for you on any printer. Just paste it to your fret board and cut on the lines

http://www.mimf.com/library/catalog_programs.htm#top