Hi
First post here - from a novice Ukulele builder - and in the process of building my first instruments.
This might be a an old Chestnut - I did find some stuff in the Archive - but a simple clarification would help me out.
I've managed to get hold of a decent piece of Sapele for my necks.
I've overlaid on a pic of the wood - Hopefully the pics explain better than I can !
If I cut the necks in what seems the natural direction with the grain - I can get Four necks.
If I cut with the necks side on - I can get Six
So - Question 1 - does it matter how I cut these for a soprano ukulele
I can probably cut an extra 2 from the 4 up option - but the grain would run in a different direction for Two of them.
So - Question 2 - I've never carved a real neck before** - does the direction of grain help or hinder neck carving. - If I had two with the grain direction running one way and Four the other - would I realistically notice any difference.
** I've made necks before - but I don't think planks - nails screws and glue really counts
I could get more necks if I stacked the heel and scarfed the neck - but I don't have a bandsaw to help with the re-sawing - and for my first time out - I think that single piece necks are probably a bit easier to master.
(If I had a decent bandsaw - I'd probably slice this piece for tops, backs and sides - then find a decent plank for the necks)
ALSO - just a thanks to everyone who has contributed to this forum - I've been following for a while now - and joined a couple of months ago - I've learned lots from your experience - and hopefully one day - I'll be in a position to offer advice to others.
Cheers
Mike
First post here - from a novice Ukulele builder - and in the process of building my first instruments.
This might be a an old Chestnut - I did find some stuff in the Archive - but a simple clarification would help me out.
I've managed to get hold of a decent piece of Sapele for my necks.
I've overlaid on a pic of the wood - Hopefully the pics explain better than I can !
If I cut the necks in what seems the natural direction with the grain - I can get Four necks.
If I cut with the necks side on - I can get Six
So - Question 1 - does it matter how I cut these for a soprano ukulele
I can probably cut an extra 2 from the 4 up option - but the grain would run in a different direction for Two of them.
So - Question 2 - I've never carved a real neck before** - does the direction of grain help or hinder neck carving. - If I had two with the grain direction running one way and Four the other - would I realistically notice any difference.
** I've made necks before - but I don't think planks - nails screws and glue really counts
I could get more necks if I stacked the heel and scarfed the neck - but I don't have a bandsaw to help with the re-sawing - and for my first time out - I think that single piece necks are probably a bit easier to master.
(If I had a decent bandsaw - I'd probably slice this piece for tops, backs and sides - then find a decent plank for the necks)
ALSO - just a thanks to everyone who has contributed to this forum - I've been following for a while now - and joined a couple of months ago - I've learned lots from your experience - and hopefully one day - I'll be in a position to offer advice to others.
Cheers
Mike