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Preferred Uke B/S Tops
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Author:  Bobc [ Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:05 am ]
Post subject:  Preferred Uke B/S Tops
I have been getting request for Ukulele sets. Just wondering what you Uke builders like as far as back, sides and soundboards
besides Koa.
TIA
BobC
Author:  LanceK [ Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Bob, you might email John Mayes if he dont chime in here.
Author:  LuthierSupplier [ Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Bob,
I'd say the most common woods in Uke building are:
Tops:
Mango(curly) for top and back
Cedar
Sitka
Englemann
Mahogany
Flamed Redwood

Backs:
Mango
Any of the rosewoods
Mahogany
Flamed Maple

Hope that helps.
Author:  Bobc [ Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Thanks Lance & Tracy.
Author:  zac_in_ak [ Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Bob! I would love to see that! bliss most places have koa, mahogany, cedar, sitka, some walnut but some of the other woods used in guitars you dont see very often. Your selection is VERY nice and I would love to see some in uke size!
Author:  Ricardo [ Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Bob, I like cocobolo or other rosewood with an Englemann top. The combination is smashing in my opinion.
Attachment:
coco.jpg
Author:  Bobc [ Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Zak and Rich thanks for the input. Rich that is one nice looking Uke. [clap] [clap]
Author:  Robert Mac Millan [ Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Hello Bob,
Rick Turner made a Uke from Tasmanian Blackwood, and he reckons Tasmanian Myrtle and Blackhearted Sasafrass would also be great.
Best Regards,
Robert,
Author:  joel Thompson [ Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
bob,
you should think of it the same as guitar woods.
what you would think would be good for guitar will probably be more than suitable for ukes.

you can get rid of those annoying boards that are were just to small for guitar billits and make some much needed extra profit at the time.

I have been getting more and more requests for uke woods too i think alot people try to build a uke before they move up to guitars.

at the moment my cash flow is so tight i cant branch out into uke woods at the moment but i would have thought it would be the perfect option for you.


Joel.
Author:  Bobc [ Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Joel thanks for the input. Hope your cash flow improves.
Author:  Aaron O [ Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
If you're serious about `ukulele woods, anything local will do, and you already have a good list.

If you want the common "uncommon", Myrtlewood is nice. But if you want the uncommon uncommon, then you're local woods would be Kamani, Ohai, Ohia, Milo (good luck) and Kou (good luck again). Very hard to get outside of Hawai`i.

Rick Turner opened my eyes to using hardwood tops - I've not heard a good sounding Maple until I heard his. I think he's done a full Walnut as well. And lets not forget California Sycamore, in addition to the woods from down South already listed.
Author:  BBailey [ Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Bob
I have experimented with a number of woods for ukes, many from you. My wife really, really liked the lacewood and would like to have entire uke made from it. The sapele I bought was also a big hit with the guy who bought it. Like one other posted commented, any wood suitable for guitars should make good ukes. I look forward with anticipation to any uke offerings you might have.
Bob B.
Author:  joel Thompson [ Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Bobc wrote:
Joel thanks for the input. Hope your cash flow improves.


Thanks bob,
it will as soon as i have opened the new shop offocialy.
I am sure you can appreciate how expensive a move is beehive

but i am having loads of fun at the same time.

Joel.
Author:  RodN [ Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
The critical thing is the [b]thickness[/i] of the wood offered.

So, so many tonewood suppliers list wood for a uke which is 0.12" or thicker, up to 0.16" or more thick.
Offering some at 0.075" / 0.08" would be very well received.

The other big assumption by many suppliers is that the tonewood, even for example, mahogany, only needs to be offered as a set of back and sides. They are using guitar mentality unfortunately.

Rod
Author:  Philip Perdue [ Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
Bob,

Monkey pod is another uncommon wood that can also be used as tops. Another wood that is growing in popularity is Bubinga for b/s. I'm not sure if it could be used as a top but I may try it in the future. I like working with it and you could really thin it out for a ukulele top. Another vote here for Mango. Mango makes a great ukulele wood b/s/t and it can look great when curly and with colors. I have a great set of curly mango with some nice orange coloring waiting for a build with.

Philip
Author:  joel Thompson [ Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred Uke B/S Tops
interesting point rod, uke sets should often include the back/side, and top in one set instead of just vback and sides.

this is something all suppliers looking to supply uke sets should take into acount.
also if we can cut thinner we can bring the price down sligtly.

the only problem with that is that the wood is more likely to move in storage if its too thin.

Joel.
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