The two bookmatched pieces of Engelmann Spruce that were selected for the soundboard of this instrument were initially 3 mm in thickness. These pieces were edge sanded, and centre joined to form the soundboard plate, before being thickness sanded to approximately 2 mm. Due to the asymmetric Kasha/Schneider soundboard bracing selected for this ukulele, the soundhole has been re-designed as a series of irregular sized smaller holes placed on the upper bout, treble side. This unique soundhole arrangement has two purposes, firstly it provides an aesthetic balance to the asymmetric soundboard and bridge, and secondly it will be used to facilitate a part of the sound transmission from the soundboard, in conjunction with an upper bout side port. Cross-grain spruce patches were used to reinforce the soundhole area, as well as the location for the bridge on the soundboard. Following the installation of the patches, the soundboard tone bars were added, along with the treble confinement bars, as per the previous discussion on the Kasha/Schneider bracing system. The soundboard was braced to conform to a 25 ft domed profile, to provide a pre-tensioning of the soundboard for increased mechanical strength.
Engelmann Spruce soundboard
The bookmatched pieces of Tasmanian “Tiger” Myrtle for the ukulele back were edge sanded and centre joined, before being thickness sanded to approximately 2.5 mm. The plate was then cut to shape slightly oversize, before the spruce cross braces were added. As with the soundboard, the back plate bracing was arched so that the back plate would conform to a 15 ft domed profile, to give the instrument added mechanical strength. The centre joint between the two bookmatched halves of the back plate was reinforced with a light cross-grain Engelmann Spruce graft.
Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle back
TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele soundboard and back (outside).
TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele soundboard and back (inside)
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