Cedar/Cocobolo Tenor

J

Jason Wolverton

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
107
Reaction score
12
Location
Laguna Beach
The uke features some very beautiful cocobolo and a nice cedar top.
I'm using a mini lattice :eek:, and I've lined the sides with Spanish cedar.

Too much fun.
549813_10151320541195966_652224885_n.jpg392753_10151366031760966_908933998_n.jpg553036_10151370283515966_428365419_n.jpg524387_10151388272685966_720986524_n.jpgIMG_0605.jpg
 
If this uke sounds anywhere near as good as it looks, it could be one of the best out there
 
If you didn't post this in a ukulele forum, I would have thought you were building one of your classical guitars...Looks nice.
 
Hi Liam,

This particular top isn't that thin. Just a little under 2mm in most places. The braces are also pretty minimal.

Each layer for the sides were taken down to a thickness of 1.2 mm. I vary this depending on the woods used. I pre-bend them on a pipe, then they go into a vacuum press over a form. I use epoxy to laminate them. I borrowed this technique from my guitar construction. It's extra work, but worth it.
 
Why do you line the sides with spanish cedar? Are you storing cigars in it??
 
Jason Wolverton said:
Hi Liam,

This particular top isn't that thin. Just a little under 2mm in most places. The braces are also pretty minimal.

Each layer for the sides were taken down to a thickness of 1.2 mm. I vary this depending on the woods used. I pre-bend them on a pipe, then they go into a vacuum press over a form. I use epoxy to laminate them. I borrowed this technique from my guitar construction. It's extra work, but worth it.
Click to expand...

First off... Stunning work. Just gorgeous.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the specific benefit of the laminated sides?
 
Thanks, Nongdam!

Thanks, Tobin. Laminated sides is just something I've borrowed from my classical guitar construction. There is actually a long history of laminated sides dating back to the 19th century (and not just for the sake of veneering.) In more recent times, the famous luthier Daniel Friederich is my inspiration for laminating sides on classical guitars. First off, it makes the instrument much more stable and less prone to cracking. More importantly, laminating the sides makes them much stiffer and holds more of the string energy in the soundboard creating an instrument that has more punch and sustain. Does this translate to a ukulele? I guess we shall see....
 
I can't wait to find out. Even though he's only made a couple of ukes, I'm taking a chance and have ordered one from Jason. I have very high hopes based on photos and the sound files

Jason Wolverton said:
Thanks, Nongdam!

Thanks, Tobin. Laminated sides is just something I've borrowed from my classical guitar construction. There is actually a long history of laminated sides dating back to the 19th century (and not just for the sake of veneering.) In more recent times, the famous luthier Daniel Friederich is my inspiration for laminating sides on classical guitars. First off, it makes the instrument much more stable and less prone to cracking. More importantly, laminating the sides makes them much stiffer and holds more of the string energy in the soundboard creating an instrument that has more punch and sustain. Does this translate to a ukulele? I guess we shall see....
Click to expand...
 
Jason,

I've seen your ads in Craigslist for your classes on building. Do you use this laminating technique in your classes?
 
I am sorry to add a contrary note to these posts - that zipper stripe conflicts (in my aesthetic) with the purity of the sap join. For me, it steals so much from the natural beauty of the wood because it is out of scale and unnecessary... IMHO.
 
Pete Howlett said:
I am sorry to add a contrary note to these posts - that zipper stripe conflicts (in my aesthetic) with the purity of the sap join. For me, it steals so much from the natural beauty of the wood because it is out of scale and unnecessary... IMHO.
Click to expand...
I don't mind what it looks like it looks great to me...but from a structual angle it will need an extra wide cross banding to span the width ...That's if it's got cross banding ??
 
Jason Wolverton said:
Thanks, Nongdam!

Thanks, Tobin. Laminated sides is just something I've borrowed from my classical guitar construction. There is actually a long history of laminated sides dating back to the 19th century (and not just for the sake of veneering.) In more recent times, the famous luthier Daniel Friederich is my inspiration for laminating sides on classical guitars. First off, it makes the instrument much more stable and less prone to cracking. More importantly, laminating the sides makes them much stiffer and holds more of the string energy in the soundboard creating an instrument that has more punch and sustain. Does this translate to a ukulele? I guess we shall see....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the explanation. I've asked for opinions on the role of the sides in the soundbox before and got pretty varied responses. Interesting.

And for what it's worth, I like the look of the zipper stripe within the sapwood - I think the visual contrast between the two elements is striking.
 
Hi Didgeridoo,
I've always shown my students the traditional method of bending sides, but if someone specifically wanted to learn laminating techniques I wouldn't be against showing them how. It's always a good to have several methods at your disposal...
 
I also do double sides on my ukes. I thickness both the inner and outer sides to 0.9mm making a total of 1.8mm. The same as the single sides I used to do so there is no increase in weight. I bend my sides in a bender and then glue them with titebond in an outside half-mold, wrapping the sides with cloth tape in the same way the back and bindings are glued in the spanish tradition. I find the doubled sides are much stiffer, the intention being that stiffer sides reflect the energy back into the top rather than absorbing it. The other big bonus is there is no need for a mold during construction as the sides are locked in position.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

coolcow
  • Locked
FS: Kinnards Cocobolo/Cedar Tenor Series 3
2
Replies
32
Views
6K
coolcow
coolcow
Larry U
NUD: Cocobolo Cedar/Cocobolo Concert
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
Nickie
Nickie
M
2nd Ukulele - Cocobolo & Cedar
Replies
8
Views
882
jedejo
J
rhiggie
For Sale Romero Creations # 2 - Cedar & Rosewood "Limited Edition" Grand Tenor
Replies
6
Views
485
Doc Ivory
Doc Ivory
efiscella
New Uke Day (NUD) KoAloha Red Label 2022 AAA Cedar and Koa Concert
Replies
9
Views
296
Arik
Arik
Top Bottom