Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

This one has been in the works for some time now. Far too long in fact, but I've only had an chance to work on it now and then between other projects. When that happens usually the instrument fights me from start to finish, but this one was a breeze. Except for the pore filling of the Sirian which has got to be the hardest wood I've ever come across to pore fill. Those things are just huge!!!

Anyway, as the title says, it's Zircote with a Sirian top. The top came from Maurice in Albany who sent me a care package some time ago. Bindings are some Tasmanian Blackwood. Neck is Qld. Maple. Finish is low gloss Mirotone.

This one's a wee ripper Allen, it's got a very 'earthy' look & that bridge.......very clean. I like the headstock shape too, it sits well with the whole Uke, doesn't look too big or bulky, infact I'm loving all of your uke builds of late. Did you use the G30 again on the finish?
Barron River guitars is knocking out some quality work, the big boys better watch out!

Congrats Allen! You've got the rhythm (of production)!

I'm with Nick. And that bridge (oh well, the whole uke) is a visual killer!
You're getting better with every instrument. When will you stop (getting better)?

P.S.
Nice flower "onlay"!

Stunning Allen
What a beautiful little uke. Love the bridge and headstock.
How does it sound with the surian top?

Cheers Maurie

Thanks everyone. I just posted pictures of it this morning and already have 2 people wanting to buy it, so I guess it's a package that is pleasing to the eye.

Top is very nice and warm sounding Maurie. I'm sure that it's going to really come into its own after a few months.

Just out of curiosity Allen ... how many mm did you take the surian top down to, and do you have an inside image of the top's bracing pattern? Wood or CF bridge plate? Maurie also 'shared the love' around Albany with some surian boards to try out a while back, and I'm keen to give it a go.
Nice design features btw .
Cheers

Top I stopped at 2mm as it's quite fluffy and I knew that I'd be doing some more sanding to it once the binding was on. Inside has a CF bridge patch and 5 fan braces that are a lot shorter than when I used just 3. I'm finding that like lattice bracing, using 5 fan braces supports the lower bout much better, but you do have to be careful about over bracing it. Sorry, no pictures of the insides.

Here's a sound sample that Bosko played for me this afternoon after his work at the Kuranda Markets. A little rough doing it in the car park, but the acoustics aren't too bad.



youtu.be/

Very nice indeed Allen. The slot headstock adds so much class to the instrument. Beautiful wood and fine choice of appointments.

Excellent demo by Bosko. He really knows how to make a Ukulele sing!

Thanks for sharing mate!

Cheers

Alan

That really is a beautiful instrument Allen.

The Surian has such a warm cast to it visually - really nice combo. Sleek bridge design too, nice refinement.

You say it was "in the works" for far too long, yet you are managing to outstrip me in production by some margin! Mind you, minimums of 0˚C to Max of 9˚C and about 90% humidity does not help speed things along for me. Such as it is...

Jeremy.

Never gets too cold up in the tropics Jeremy. Though that dehumidifier is working overtime and earning it's keep. I'm in the shed at least 30 hrs a week so I'd better be getting something accomplished

very nice Allen!

And nice composition with the photos – you and Bob make the rest of us look like hacks with a camera.

Surian Cedar – is that the same as Australian Red Cedar?

I have a found some references that say it is the same and others that say it is different. Apprently it is 'Cedrela toona' if I remember correctly (probably not) Spanish cedar is not a true cedar either and is Cedrela 'something' as well.

Thanks,

Daniel

All I could say for sure is that it's similar to Australian Red Cedar. This stuff feels softer than the ARC that I have.

And most of the camera work is the handiwork of my wife Karen. She's getting pretty good at it

Allen wrote: I just posted pictures of it this morning and already have 2 people wanting to buy it, so I guess it's a package that is pleasing to the eye.

Most definitely so. It's beautiful.

It is similar, same family group, but different species.

Aus.Cedar is (generally) finer grained, and harder and redder, but this can vary considerably with age, growth rate, and soil etc.

This is typical of contemporary Cedar souced a couple of years ago. (Sorry it's not in the form of an instrument, but that has been a recent obsession

Allen wrote:All I could say for sure is that it's similar to Australian Red Cedar. This stuff feels softer than the ARC that I have.

And most of the camera work is the handiwork of my wife Karen. She's getting pretty good at it

Love the 'table' Alistair, nice design...from plans or one of your own creations? And by the way, is the rest of the table on the otherside of the wall?

Great team effort. Another beautiful little uke by Baron River and video by Karen Mc and Bosko .

Ziricote is always a winner IMO. Visually it is among my all time favourite woods and I never tire of looking at it. 'Warm' or 'mellow' is often be used as a polite way of suggesting that an instrument is lacking in presence, by not so with this uke. The Sirian looks 'warm' aged and inviting and the uke sounds mellow but in a desirably bluesy way.

Cheers

Kim