Thick necks

808boy

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*** Moderator's note: This thread moved here in the hope that one of you experienced builders or repair specialists can offer 808boy some advice about this. Thanks ***


Aloha,
I have several ukes that I love but the neck profile isn't as comfortable as the one I absolutely love. Is it possible or feasible to take it to a luthier to have it shaved down and refinished even if it is an assembled unit?
Thanks,.........................BO.................
 
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I've known people have the necks shaved on mandolins, which have much higher string tension than ukes, so I imagine it is possible.

My advice would be to ask in the luthier section. PM me if you'd like me to move your thread there. :)
 
For me how comfortable a neck feels related to the "C" profile matching my fretting hand, and width/thickness ratio. I used to think I only liked the thinner necks, until I recently got a thicker neck, but was 1.5" wide that felt as good as my thinner neck ukes.

Maybe you should also take a uke with a comfortable neck profile to the luthier when you go.
 
Mahalo buddhuu and Doc_J,
I noticed it when playing 2 ukes with the same nut width but different neck thickness, felt uncomfortable with the thicker one. I kinda like the thinner neck profile.............................BO.........................
 
Yes, it is possible. I have done that a few times. You just need to make sure your luthier is clear on what your expecting. Ideally, take it to someone local so they can do it while you wait and you can check check it as they go. I finish them by wiping on two coats of shellac and rubbing them out with 000 steel wool which makes them very slick.
 
It's not all that difficult of a job, but if I was asked to do the job, it would be at a time that you could be there to keep trailing the shape as the wood was coming off. There's really no other way to tell what is going to suit one person over another.
 
It's not all that difficult of a job, but if I was asked to do the job, it would be at a time that you could be there to keep trailing the shape as the wood was coming off. There's really no other way to tell what is going to suit one person over another.

Good point Allen. Get it at least roughed out while the customer is in the shop. It's too difficult to add wood back on!
 
Is it possible to get the neck too thin and then have it warp?
 
I like thin necks too. I can build you a uke with a thin eliptical c shaped neck that I'm sure you'll love.
 
Is it possible to get the neck too thin and then have it warp?

Yep. If you're an inexperienced or unknowledgeable builder, that can surely happen... Fortunately I've built all of my necks with a crunchy hard core center and I'm sure they'll last a lifetime.,.. no matter how thin I make them.

People think a one piece neck is something to admire... I'm not so sure.... In fact, I say it's a matter of aesthetics over strength. I think a multiple piece neck is divine... but I'm a player...

And every uke I build and every instrument I make will have a striped multiple piece neck... which takes much longer to make than a one piece neck. Why? because it's the right thing to do.

It will not warp over time... it's stiffer and that contributes to sustain.... that's it. And it's enough reason to do it and keep doing it. And you will NOT get this kind of instrument from your local music store. Builders rock.
 
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