Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Probably time to mention we makers in the Great Southern, and friends (yes, you too TimS), will be featured in Playmakers 2016 towards the end of February as part of the Perth International Arts Festival season. The theme: 'Home Made, Home Played' ... We'll be turning one of the studios at the Alban...

We've started ordering beer in by the pallet. Thirsty work this lutherie business.

You might have to wait a long while, Col. This is definitely a one-off . I thought this would be a SIMPLE build, ha ha!! ... The tin was supplied (50 cents at a garage sale); all it seemingly needed was a concert-scale neck, fretboard, tuners, bridge/saddle, tailpiece and some strings. Turned out it...

You did good, Tim. Just goes to show you can't have too many clamps; or jigs.
Five new Uke makers on the scene ... Gotta be good .

Have you tried any finishes other than MinWax, Tim which display similar defects?

Stunning, Bob.
Re: pic #2 ... How many slabs of Heineken ? ... have gone into this little baby?

Hehe but I bet when he arrives he comes along with care packages ... Yep, we have all done well over the years from the generosity and good cheer that Tim brings to the lads on the south coast. He trades in Tonewoods of outstanding quality at very good pricing. And he's not too shabby when it come ...

Looking forward to seeing this double stringer develop, Bob. Inspirational build.

Speaking of whom, we haven't seen many Sunday Specials on the Forum of late, Mr. TimS!

Here at Pete's right now, as is our regular Saturday arvo. All-comers are welcome to vist any time - entry fee is a six-pack and a good lutherie story ... doesn't even have to be the truth!

Bob Connor wrote:Col
They're ... a bunch of beer drinkers that like building instruments.
Regards

Ahh, so you spotted the new beer fridge, Bob?
Thanks for the sound hole compliment, Col!

Cheers

Gotta love recycling ... Seems there is plenty of Oregon just lying around.

Douglas Fir is perhaps more commonly known as Oregon in West Oz. Excellent bracing for backs.

peter.coombe wrote:Here it is in pictures
http://www.petercoombe.com/Headstock_inlay.htm
Peter

Hi Peter ... In that online tute you mention the 'Target' range of products for filling and finishing. Where do you source same?

Cheers & thanks

I took a second look at the photo's you posted Kathy and realised it was the last page of a whole string of pics of the whole build, great stuff, it's good to see how others do it. Very well presented too. Thanks for sharing. Currently attempting a Weissy build, so +1 from me too Kathy ... :cl. Tha...

Thanks for the head-ups Bob & Kim. I think we are fortunate to have an Australian supplier in AMOP, where there is plenty of choice of curved strips in a variety of shell.

Nice job Bob on the OM BTW ... Looks like you went real close to the edge, not a lot of wiggle room there?

G'day Bob

I have only ever done rosettes so far with curved Paua from Australian MPO; it's the edge binding I'd be keen to have a go at, but with several curves of differing inside diameters it's daunting to even consider doing it with hard shell.

Cheers

Got talking yesterday with the lads at our regular makers afternoon at Pete's place about the availability of Zipflex in Australia. A google search did not find a great deal of information about same. Because of the Lacy Act in the states there are severe restrictions on the export of any shell prod...

The brand name is Xtreme - presumably from China. Yes, Chinese origin. What isn't these days. I bought an Xtreme ukulele case recently. Solid ruggetised construction compared to the CNB range and for the extra $10 or so for each size of case is good value. The 'muppet fur' provides good protection,...

Aw c'mon ... How about some reliable suppliers of these Tasmanain Tonewoods.

Who's got an up-to-date list of mills and re-sellers still allowed to trade?

Thanks

Yo Luke

If you are on Facebook check out the image gallery for inspiration re building a fiddle ...

http://www.facebook.com/landfillharmoni ... tos_stream

Cheers

Like this:

May have answered my own question by looking at the FB images; seems there is a thread machined into the outside of shaft.

Thanks Allen & Jeremy for the info! So, are they a friction fit, or do they come with an anchoring nut?
Chiz