Cool scoop cutaway by Alan Carruth

Beau Hannam Ukuleles

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2011
Messages
3,019
Reaction score
122
Location
Grand Junction, Colorado
Alan Carruth scoop build5.jpgAlan Carruth scoop build.jpgAlan Carruth scoop build2.jpgAlan Carruth scoop build3.jpgscoop by curutha.jpg

For the inspiration area of your mind.

Beautiful looking scoop by Alan Carruth.

Not sure id go about it this way (ill find out in a few days...). Jeffery Yongs method looks less scary and sadistic.
 
Last edited:
Well, the guy is a master, and his scientific understanding of fretted instruments is up there with David Hurd.
 
That looks fantastic, a lot better than the scoop on the James Hill DaSilva Uke I saw.
 
I wish someone would do a scoop like that, but more pronounced, on the back of a Uke, taking a chunk out of the heel as well. That would do a lot more for upper fret access.

Washburn used to do something called the "Stephens Extended Cutaway" that was fantastic.

220157455260-6.jpg
 
I saw the picture of the handsaw and I thought "This can't be good". But what an awesome result. It's a brave and talented builder who can pull that off with light colored wood. It's not the cutaway that's hard to do, it's the purfling.
Where are those photos from Beau? Link?
 
I saw the picture of the handsaw and I thought "This can't be good". But what an awesome result. It's a brave and talented builder who can pull that off with light colored wood. It's not the cutaway that's hard to do, it's the purfling.
Where are those photos from Beau? Link?

Indeed- I was looking at Jeffery Yongs pics. I will be using ebony for a first effort.

I was first looking at this fellow
http://fredellguitars.com/about/

Which lead me to here
http://www.fretboardjournal.com/blog/montreal-musings-observations-2012-montreal-guitar-show

Which mentions Carruths in
"cool features"
I couldn't find it any scoop pics on Carruth's site, but the guitar is owned by
http://kenbonfield.com/ which is where I found the finished pic.

His Facebook site has the build-
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150987067744083.481091.661769082&type=3
___________-
PS- if you want to see neat, imaginative work- this guy I think is doing some incredible stuff.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.434032609941375.106165.100000039185327&type=3
 
Last edited:
I dare say that after all the talk of jigs and fixtures and routers and such is over, there's nothing like having chops with hand tools. I'll bet that it didn't take Al much time to do that, either...
 
Rick-

As far as i can tell, the classical maker Leo Scharpach (www.scharpach.com) was the first to do a scoop- he said in an email that he has been doing it for more then 20 years and is the inventor of the scoop.

Do you (or anyone else) know of anyone using it for longer???
 
Does anyone really care who used it first? I wouldn't be surprised if an early 19th century luthier didn't have a crack at this. I'm going to strongly resist agreeing to make another one.
 
Does anyone really care who used it first? I wouldn't be surprised if an early 19th century luthier didn't have a crack at this. I'm going to strongly resist agreeing to make another one.

Do i care? Yes and no. No it doesn't matter, but neither are a lot of things that are good to do. Yes as like those that use and rightfully thank Linda for her 'Manzer Wedge', it may have been done centuries past, but if there was a someone who thought it up or at least used it first that is still alive, id like the chance to say thanks and acknowledge them as best I can.
 
Last edited:
+1 on the Stephen's EC.
If extending the range of frets accessible with standard playing technique is the objective, the Stephens EC can't be beat. Next is a standard (deep) cutaway. A 'scallop' or a 'Humphrey's hump' is not enough for real emancipation of the high register. My ideal ergonomic guitar has a Stephans extended cutaway. Mike Doolin used to make something similar, but he's is retired now.
Paul
 
Hi Beau,

Earliest Scoop type of cutaway 1982 Wayne Beckman. I have the photo of the instrument here:

156279_4177355245349_416263845_n.jpg

More proper scoop is from Mickey Uchida (from Lowden Hall of fame) which is shortly after.
 
Indeed- I was looking at Jeffery Yongs pics and the joinery on his maple bound guitars look pretty rough. I will be using ebony for a first effort.

I was first looking at this fellow
http://fredellguitars.com/about/

Which lead me to here
http://www.fretboardjournal.com/blog/montreal-musings-observations-2012-montreal-guitar-show

Which mentions Carruths in
"cool features"
I couldn't find it any scoop pics on Carruth's site, but the guitar is owned by
http://kenbonfield.com/ which is where I found the finished pic.

His Facebook site has the build-
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150987067744083.481091.661769082&type=3
___________-
PS- if you want to see neat, imaginative work- this guy I think is doing some incredible stuff.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.434032609941375.106165.100000039185327&type=3

Thank you Beau for those links! I simply luvvvvvvv Raymond's B-RW OM! Especially the rosette.
 
Top Bottom