tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39754216903445496062024-03-14T17:26:17.319+11:00MAKAIO UkulelesMAKAIO Ukuleles are handmade in Sydney, Australia by Matt Blacka, from fine Australian and traditional tonewoods.
From initial design through to final setup, each instrument is completely individual and has its own characteristics. If you are interested in MAKAIO Ukuleles, and would like more information, please contact Matt by email: mattblacka@hotmail.comMatt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-60366710501651574212014-03-15T22:54:00.001+11:002014-03-15T22:54:32.654+11:00After a long break and some new found inspiration, I am pleased to say that the MAKAIO vault of fine Australian tonewoods will be re-opened in 2014, with some exciting new projects getting underway. Keep an eye out for upcoming project designs to be published soon.<br />
<br />
Happy Strumming<br />
<br />
MattMatt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-15734828044508622262010-06-15T09:58:00.005+10:002010-06-15T10:26:29.998+10:00T005 Tenor Ukulele Pore FillingOnce the main construction work has been completed on each ukulele, the finishing process begins. The finishing schedule for each MAKAIO ukulele is a slow process that begins with initial sanding over the complete ukulele with 120 grit sandpaper. At this stage it is crucial to remove all scratches and scrapes from the timber surface, as they will not be able to be removed later in the finishing process. Following this, the ukulele is sanded all over with 180 grit then 220 grit sand papers.<br /><br /><div>Once the ukulele has been sanded to 220 grit, in most cases, the timber is required to be pore filled. Most hardwood timber species that are used for back, sides, and sometimes soundboards, have tiny pores in the grain. These pores can differ with the grain and growth direction of the timber. As the final finish on the ukuleles are only a very thin layer of oil varnish, these pores will show through as un-eveness in the finish appearance. To avoid this, the pores of the timber are initially filled with a clear flexible epoxy resin. For the T005 ukulele, two coats of epoxy were applied all over the ukulele.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TBbHd-4LkQI/AAAAAAAAAx4/lTlY_LT5O3U/s1600/IMGP9603.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482788914278928642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TBbHd-4LkQI/AAAAAAAAAx4/lTlY_LT5O3U/s400/IMGP9603.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">T005 Tenor Ukulele</span><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TBbHeH03TyI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Pdje56zObfg/s1600/IMGP9608.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482788916680937250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TBbHeH03TyI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Pdje56zObfg/s400/IMGP9608.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Epoxy Pore Fill Coating over Walnut Ukulele</span><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br />Once the epoxy has cured on the ukulele, the entire instrument is again sanded with 220 grit sandpaper, removing all epoxy from the instrument surface, and leaving only that in the timber pores. This is followed by further sanding with 320 grit then 400 grit sandpaper, wiping the instrument over between each grade with a damp cloth to raise any loose grain fibre.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Once the ukulele has been finish sanded to 400 grit, the oil finishing process begins.</div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-27692503385481649182010-06-01T13:37:00.013+10:002012-02-28T16:34:57.546+11:00Completed T004 Tenor UkuleleMAKAIO Ukulele T004 is a tenor ukulele that was completed in 2010. This ukulele has a 17" scale, with the fretboard joining the body at the 12th fret. This ukulele has been constructed using predominantly native Australian tonewoods, including Bunya Pine soundboard, Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle back and sides, Queensland Maple neck, and Mulga fretboard, bridge, and heel cap. The body of the ukulele has been bound with "Tiger" Myrtle bindings, accented with simple black/white purflings. The rosette is also "Tiger" Myrtle, with inner and outer black/white purfling combination.<br /><br />The soundboard has been braced using a traditional fan bracing structure with upper and lower transverse bars, as well as bridge and soundhole reinforcement patches. The neck has been strengthened using a carbon fibre stiffening rod, to provide additional long term resistance to bending under string tension. The Tru-Oil varnish provides a thin flexible finish that has less impact on the tone of the instrument than many other finish types. High quality geared Gotoh SEP700 tuners were selected to allow accurate tuning with no string slipage.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASCGc6up-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/8aBuc0GN8CQ/s1600/IMGP9451.jpg"></a><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASBzJ-jeqI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Kz3yTy7nLlw/s1600/IMGP9418.jpg"><img style="width: 340px; height: 228px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477645762640968354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASBzJ-jeqI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Kz3yTy7nLlw/s400/IMGP9418.jpg" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASBzfPKsuI/AAAAAAAAAv0/M0JhqvBcBwg/s1600/IMGP9424.jpg"><img style="width: 340px; height: 228px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477645768347792098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASBzfPKsuI/AAAAAAAAAv0/M0JhqvBcBwg/s400/IMGP9424.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASBz6fwMsI/AAAAAAAAAv8/GbNdSVwjZB8/s1600/IMGP9419.jpg"><img style="width: 340px; height: 228px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477645775665115842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASBz6fwMsI/AAAAAAAAAv8/GbNdSVwjZB8/s400/IMGP9419.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASB0C0uKjI/AAAAAAAAAwE/brNiv07QQrA/s1600/IMGP9425.jpg"><img style="width: 340px; height: 228px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477645777900546610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASB0C0uKjI/AAAAAAAAAwE/brNiv07QQrA/s400/IMGP9425.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASCGEtMzZI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/1mBHkwIKuGM/s1600/IMGP9443.jpg"><img style="width: 228px; height: 340px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477646087643516306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASCGEtMzZI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/1mBHkwIKuGM/s400/IMGP9443.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASCGc6up-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/8aBuc0GN8CQ/s1600/IMGP9451.jpg"><img style="width: 228px; height: 340px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477646094142711778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASCGc6up-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/8aBuc0GN8CQ/s400/IMGP9451.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASCGwEwM6I/AAAAAAAAAwg/fF152eys2Aw/s1600/IMGP9460.jpg"><img style="width: 340px; height: 228px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477646099285029794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASCGwEwM6I/AAAAAAAAAwg/fF152eys2Aw/s400/IMGP9460.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-69359411027759716542010-06-01T13:30:00.001+10:002011-07-20T15:43:33.753+10:00Fretboard and Bridge BlanksA new order of Gidgee and Mulga fretboard and bridge blanks has arrived, and will be used on the next range of all Australian timber MAKAIO ukuleles. These timber pieces were bought from Loggerheads (Graham Naughton), who sources his timber from the dry areas of central Queensland. This order has both a plain and a ring figured set of both timber species. The ringed Gidgee fretboard is probably the nicest fretboard I have ever seen, and I’m looking forward to using it on a very special ukulele that will show off the best tonewoods that Australia has to offer. In my opinion Gidgee is arguably one of the best timbers that can be used for acoustic instrument fretboards, as it is more beautiful than Rosewood while also being harder than Ebony. Gidgee and Mulga are both Australian native hardwood Acacia species, and are relatively fast growing. Harvesting these timbers for use in specialist craft industries such as lutherie is more sustainable than the use of traditional tonewoods such as Ebony, and also supports other small Australian businesses such as Loggerheads, that provide exceptional quality materials.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASFtO81Y0I/AAAAAAAAAws/cvTBbOR3tns/s1600/IMGP9565.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477650058943226690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASFtO81Y0I/AAAAAAAAAws/cvTBbOR3tns/s400/IMGP9565.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASFtUv-BxI/AAAAAAAAAw0/OlwIwxG_Gxs/s1600/IMGP9568.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477650060499879698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASFtUv-BxI/AAAAAAAAAw0/OlwIwxG_Gxs/s400/IMGP9568.jpg" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASFt_Jw77I/AAAAAAAAAw8/uVEpY48Nbvo/s1600/IMGP9571.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 340px; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477650071882362802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASFt_Jw77I/AAAAAAAAAw8/uVEpY48Nbvo/s400/IMGP9571.jpg" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Ringed and Plain Gidgee Fretboard Blanks</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASF02eGD3I/AAAAAAAAAxE/COKt6qvjS6s/s1600/IMGP9573.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477650189810798450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASF02eGD3I/AAAAAAAAAxE/COKt6qvjS6s/s400/IMGP9573.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASF1uUJwSI/AAAAAAAAAxU/_cPC1Fjrty8/s1600/IMGP9578.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477650204801483042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASF1uUJwSI/AAAAAAAAAxU/_cPC1Fjrty8/s400/IMGP9578.jpg" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASF1dROH3I/AAAAAAAAAxM/fn-5CcSaH3w/s1600/IMGP9577.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 340px; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477650200225783666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/TASF1dROH3I/AAAAAAAAAxM/fn-5CcSaH3w/s400/IMGP9577.jpg" /></a> </p><br /><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Lightly Figured and Plain Mulga Fretboard and Bridge Blanks</span> </p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-84898525026648645272010-02-11T17:28:00.011+11:002010-02-12T15:14:01.819+11:00T004 Tru-Oil FinishMAKAIO Ukuleles are finished using an oil varnish product called Tru-oil, which is a special blend of linseed and other natural oils. Application of an oil finish such as this is a slow process of thin coats and long periods of drying. For this ukulele, the Tru-oil finish was applied without prior pore filling, as the timbers used in this ukulele are fine grained and only have small pores.<br /><br />The Tru-oil finish is applied by starting with two very thin coats of oil, which serve to seal the timber surface without soaking into the timber significantly. This is particularly important for softwood soundboards such as Bunya Pine. Following these two base coats, a further six heavier oil coats are then applied with one day of drying time between each coat. The oil finish is then allowed to cure for several days before being level sanded using fine grit sandpaper. Following this a further 4 coats of oil were applied with about two days drying time between each coat. Finally, the uke is allowed to cure for almost a week before the finish is sanded and polished with micro mesh polishing paper.<br /><br />This process produces a hard and light finish which is tonally excellent, aesthetically beautiful, and can also be easily repaired in the future.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3OlKFkfnHI/AAAAAAAAAt4/99lADimg3Nk/s1600-h/IMGP9273.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436870767878839410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3OlKFkfnHI/AAAAAAAAAt4/99lADimg3Nk/s400/IMGP9273.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Too4 Tenor Ukulele oil finish - hanging to dry</span><br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3Okzn8P33I/AAAAAAAAAtg/Ome-vbJeb3U/s1600-h/IMGP9267.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436870381968285554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3Okzn8P33I/AAAAAAAAAtg/Ome-vbJeb3U/s400/IMGP9267.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3Okz0VmY8I/AAAAAAAAAto/UEIvQYSdV1I/s1600-h/IMGP9271.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436870385295844290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3Okz0VmY8I/AAAAAAAAAto/UEIvQYSdV1I/s400/IMGP9271.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle back and sides</span><br /></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-47491822803422422532010-02-11T17:23:00.002+11:002010-02-12T15:14:48.341+11:00T004 Headstock, Neck, and FretboardHaving completed the tap tuning and inlay of the body, its time to again work on the headstock, neck, and fretboard of the ukulele. This uke will have a slotted headstock in the same style as classical guitars. This is not standard for ukuleles, and I have spent many hours working on the 3d design of the headstock in CAD, to make sure that the string angle over the nut is correct, and to ensure that the strings pass freely to each of the tuner posts. Unfortunately there have been no high quality ukulele tuners manufactured for slotted head instruments, so I have adopted the headstock design to work with geared guitar tuners. I have selected Gotoh SEP700 tuners for this instrument.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3Ovd-Nvp5I/AAAAAAAAAuk/bNk-_ob4S4w/s1600-h/IMGP9245.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 340px; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436882104618035090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3Ovd-Nvp5I/AAAAAAAAAuk/bNk-_ob4S4w/s400/IMGP9245.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Shaped and slotted headstock</span></div><span style="color:#009900;"></span><div align="left"><br />The necks of MAKAIO Ukuleles are thin and have a compound C shaped spline profile, and when combined with the radiused fretboard, this gives the ukes a fast and light feel. The timber selected for the fretboard of this ukulele is a lovely piece of native Australian Mulga from Tim Spittle at Australian Tonewoods. When sanded out to fine grit, the red and brown streaks through the fretboard are stunning, and complement the rest of the timber in the uke beautifully. </div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-15674263809945419242010-02-11T17:22:00.008+11:002010-02-12T15:15:55.743+11:00T004 Binding and PurflingWhile the binding of a ukulele appears as a significant aesthetic design feature, many musicians don’t realise that it also serves an even more important structural role. Once the body of the ukulele is boxed up, the edge of soundboard and backboard are exposed around the body at the join with the sides. In many places, this edge presents open end grain of the soundboard and back timber plates, which is significantly softer and more prone to moisture ingress than the rest of the timber surface. By routing and installing solid timber bindings around the joint between the sides and the soundboard/back, the end grain is protected from both dings and moisture. Binding has even greater importance for ukuleles built with a softwood soundboard such as the Bunya Pine on the T004 Tenor Ukulele.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3OidVOqKYI/AAAAAAAAAtU/pw12pDGgIUw/s1600-h/IMGP8912.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 340px; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436867799964854658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3OidVOqKYI/AAAAAAAAAtU/pw12pDGgIUw/s400/IMGP8912.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Body binding being glued in</span><br /></p><div>The body binding also allows a luthier to show some creative expression in the selection of the binding timber colour, as well as the decorative purfling. For this ukulele I selected matching “Stealth” body binding timber strips, that were the same Tasmanian “Tiger” Myrtle as the back and sides. I coupled this with black/white/black purflings along the soundboard, back, and sides. This combination of binding and purfling is eye catching, yet doesn’t detract from the beauty of the timber in the rest of the body, as contrasting bindings tend to do. </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3OufLLZ1VI/AAAAAAAAAuY/KkX_6qmCJQw/s1600-h/IMGP9242.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436881025766118738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/S3OufLLZ1VI/AAAAAAAAAuY/KkX_6qmCJQw/s400/IMGP9242.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Stealth "Tiger" Myrtle body binding</span><br /></div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-66305789613013634072010-02-11T17:19:00.002+11:002010-02-12T15:11:24.426+11:00T004 Tap TuningOnce the body of the ukulele had been closed up, the soundboard felt a little on the stiff side. The tap tone of the soundboard also suggested that the soundboard was too stiff, with a very short tone that was a little too high in pitch. I decided at this point to loosen the soundboard up by thinning the soundboard over the whole lower bout/bridge region. Using a small finger plane, I was able to carefully shave about 0.3 mm off the thickness of the whole lower bout area, and a further 0.5 mm in thickness off the outer perimeter of the soundboard. While thinning the soundboard, I progressively checked the tap tone until I was happy with the volume and the body resonance pitch had dropped suitably. At this point the soundboard started to become significantly more lively when tapped, with a clear increase in the sustain of the tone. It also became evident at this point that the whole body chamber was significantly more lively, as the soundboard resonated nicely when air was blown across the soundhole.Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-32736033437240869352009-07-26T21:45:00.000+10:002009-07-26T21:39:18.281+10:00Design and Construction<p align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYapTGtHtI/AAAAAAAAAF0/bw1w0BLNu7s/s1600-h/IMGP5408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212382915533283026" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYapTGtHtI/AAAAAAAAAF0/bw1w0BLNu7s/s400/IMGP5408.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#ffffff;">..... </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYT0PugPY0I/AAAAAAAAAXE/t4QNPvOQPfc/s1600-h/IMGP8231.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297627612713018178" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYT0PugPY0I/AAAAAAAAAXE/t4QNPvOQPfc/s400/IMGP8231.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="justify">MAKAIO Ukuleles are constructed completely by hand, using the techniques taught by the Hana Lima ‘Ia school of ukulele lutherie in Hawaii. The design of MAKAIO Ukuleles has been refined by luthier Matt Blacka and is based on the fine ukulele plans produced by Hana Lima ‘Ia. Unlike many of the ukuleles available in Australia which are constructed using low quality materials and factory optimised techniques, MAKAIO Ukuleles are constructed with the same degree of care as high quality hand made guitars. Each MAKAIO Ukulele design is drawn in CAD prior to construction, to ensure that all custom features are properly designed, and to allow accurate construction.</p><span style="color:#ffffff;"><p align="center"><br /></span><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFD-DmrdCbI/AAAAAAAAACM/HZQEHeoFCoc/s1600-h/IMGP5727.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210944106743531954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFD-DmrdCbI/AAAAAAAAACM/HZQEHeoFCoc/s400/IMGP5727.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#ffffff;">.....</span> <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFD_C0Lg8UI/AAAAAAAAACU/ArynYuWANh0/s1600-h/IMGP5713.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210945192699425090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFD_C0Lg8UI/AAAAAAAAACU/ArynYuWANh0/s400/IMGP5713.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYT0PqwySdI/AAAAAAAAAXM/KRGE_IjC684/s1600-h/IMGP8237.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297627611708672466" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYT0PqwySdI/AAAAAAAAAXM/KRGE_IjC684/s400/IMGP8237.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="justify">Custom MAKAIO Ukuleles are currently produced in tenor scale length, although other sizes will be available in the future. Some features of all MAKAIO Ukuleles include:</p><ul><li><div align="justify">All solid wood</div></li><li><div align="justify">Spanish style neck construction, eliminating the need for a mechanical fastener to connect the neck to the body, and allowing a more proportionate heel</div></li><li><div align="justify">Carbon fibre neck stiffening rod to improve neck stability</div></li><li><div align="justify">Domed soundboard and back, increasing the strength of the plates and allowing the ukuleles to have lighter construction</div></li><li><div align="justify">High quality geared Gotoh tuners, ensuring accurate and stable tuning<br /></div></li></ul><p align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYbA3pxPoI/AAAAAAAAAGE/j7FMImWnHGA/s1600-h/IMGP5809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212383320481021570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYbA3pxPoI/AAAAAAAAAGE/j7FMImWnHGA/s400/IMGP5809.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYbAynRNUI/AAAAAAAAAGM/jB3ujnR-Io4/s1600-h/IMGP5819.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212383319128356162" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYbAynRNUI/AAAAAAAAAGM/jB3ujnR-Io4/s400/IMGP5819.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYaflmGTQI/AAAAAAAAAFs/NWbOBt3Uj3Y/s1600-h/IMGP5404.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212382748698103042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYaflmGTQI/AAAAAAAAAFs/NWbOBt3Uj3Y/s400/IMGP5404.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#ffffff;">.....</span> <a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SFYayvzZE_I/AAAAAAAAAF8/0ElnOdiCqDU/s1600-h/IMGP5444.jpg"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sf6tDHF3-8I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/t2pLqqkUEDI/s1600-h/IMGP8360.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331889277808147394" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sf6tDHF3-8I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/t2pLqqkUEDI/s400/IMGP8360.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqRG1P5TAI/AAAAAAAAAR8/_J2P7XTq2UU/s1600-h/IMGP5866.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240660662957984770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqRG1P5TAI/AAAAAAAAAR8/_J2P7XTq2UU/s400/IMGP5866.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqRHCa6zeI/AAAAAAAAASE/r7VLOFuALac/s1600-h/IMGP5867.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240660666493881826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqRHCa6zeI/AAAAAAAAASE/r7VLOFuALac/s400/IMGP5867.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-66078595001242945642009-07-26T20:50:00.009+10:002009-07-26T21:29:32.220+10:00Completed TL002 Tenor Long Scale UkuleleMAKAIO Ukulele TL002 is a tenor ukulele that was completed in 2009. This ukulele has a 17" scale, with the fretboard joining the body at the 14th fret, allowing access to slightly higher notes. This ukulele has been constructed using predominantly native Australian tonewoods, including Tasmanian Blackwood soundboard, back, sides, and neck, as well as Gidgee fretboard, bridge, and heel cap. The body of the ukulele has been bound with fiddleback Tasmanian Blackwood bindings, accented with simple black/white purflings. The rosette is Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle, with inner and outer black/white/black purfling combination.<br /><br />The soundboard has been braced using a traditional fan bracing structure with upper and lower transverse bars, as wll as bridge and soundhole reinforcement patches. The neck has been strengthened using a carbon fibre stiffening rod, to provide additional long term resistance to bending under string tension. The Tru-Oil varnish provides a thin flexible finish that has less impact on the tone of the instrument than many other finish types. High quality geared Gotoh mini tuners were selected to allow accurate tuning with no string slipage.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw4Zpb3U_I/AAAAAAAAAoA/4rQ_R1S7gqk/s1600-h/IMGP8877.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362723269562029042" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw4Zpb3U_I/AAAAAAAAAoA/4rQ_R1S7gqk/s400/IMGP8877.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw4aRiai6I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/PvRvBBsaUvU/s1600-h/IMGP8880.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362723280326921122" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw4aRiai6I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/PvRvBBsaUvU/s400/IMGP8880.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw4aJGaJfI/AAAAAAAAAoI/HVDf0EKi6xc/s1600-h/IMGP8878.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362723278061970930" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw4aJGaJfI/AAAAAAAAAoI/HVDf0EKi6xc/s400/IMGP8878.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw4aQY-_3I/AAAAAAAAAoY/_OuniSfIg2o/s1600-h/IMGP8881.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362723280018931570" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw4aQY-_3I/AAAAAAAAAoY/_OuniSfIg2o/s400/IMGP8881.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw54lbDMoI/AAAAAAAAAoo/lMQJ4VmEXQw/s1600-h/IMGP8864.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362724900572443266" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw54lbDMoI/AAAAAAAAAoo/lMQJ4VmEXQw/s400/IMGP8864.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw7XiHvs0I/AAAAAAAAApI/kPBsBorO_I0/s1600-h/IMGP8888.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362726531773739842" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw7XiHvs0I/AAAAAAAAApI/kPBsBorO_I0/s400/IMGP8888.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw54Mx1TOI/AAAAAAAAAog/Mhe8cmaQKvo/s1600-h/IMGP8865.jpg"></a><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw55V89djI/AAAAAAAAApA/epV9zaFWXJM/s1600-h/IMGP8887.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362724913599575602" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw55V89djI/AAAAAAAAApA/epV9zaFWXJM/s400/IMGP8887.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw7X_OFZYI/AAAAAAAAApQ/fIYrvNV95YE/s1600-h/IMGP8893.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362726539584955778" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw7X_OFZYI/AAAAAAAAApQ/fIYrvNV95YE/s400/IMGP8893.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw54ySlZ8I/AAAAAAAAAow/vOlKMWJITqs/s1600-h/IMGP8842.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362724904026597314" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Smw54ySlZ8I/AAAAAAAAAow/vOlKMWJITqs/s400/IMGP8842.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-39289241820874803012009-05-09T18:56:00.010+10:002009-05-11T18:17:54.107+10:00Completed TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele<div align="justify">MAKAIO Ukulele TKL003 is a fingerstyle tenor ukulele that was completed in 2009. This ukulele has a 17" scale, with the fretboard joining the body at the 14th fret, allowing access to slightly higher notes. The Engelmann Spruce soundboard has been braced using a modified Kasha/Schneider technique, which provides increased sustain and clarity in tone. To further increase the voice of the ukulele, a sideport has been used in combination with a series of upper bout treble decorative soundboard holes. This provides a greater soundboard area available to vibrate freely when compared to a traditional fan braced ukulele with centre soundhole.<br /><br />The back and sides of this ukulele are Tasmanian Myrtle, an Australian native tonewood. While Tasmanian Myrtle is reasonably common, the timber that shows "tiger" patterns is somewhat rare. The neck is made from Honduras Mahogany with a medium fiddleback feature, and has been reinforced with a graphite stiffening rod. Solid "Tiger" Myrtle bindings have been used, in combination with back and top black/white/black purflings.<br /><br />The Tru-Oil varnish provides a thin flexible finish that has less impact on the tone of the instrument than many other finish types. High quality geared Gotoh mini tuners were selected to allow accurate tuning with no string slipage.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGsTreb_I/AAAAAAAAAbc/Z_0znKFCM78/s1600-h/IMGP8467.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747060701032434" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGsTreb_I/AAAAAAAAAbc/Z_0znKFCM78/s400/IMGP8467.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHNTEH_WI/AAAAAAAAAb8/1IV6PxTGZkQ/s1600-h/IMGP8471.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747627471666530" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHNTEH_WI/AAAAAAAAAb8/1IV6PxTGZkQ/s400/IMGP8471.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHM2Fp_NI/AAAAAAAAAbk/D2wovfaEFmA/s1600-h/IMGP8469.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747619693460690" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHM2Fp_NI/AAAAAAAAAbk/D2wovfaEFmA/s400/IMGP8469.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHM4okrlI/AAAAAAAAAbs/Jw38mlNYYdM/s1600-h/IMGP8470.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747620376784466" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHM4okrlI/AAAAAAAAAbs/Jw38mlNYYdM/s400/IMGP8470.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><div><div><div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGsOtoXFI/AAAAAAAAAbE/gmW0OBVlm2c/s1600-h/IMGP8464.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747059367894098" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGsOtoXFI/AAAAAAAAAbE/gmW0OBVlm2c/s400/IMGP8464.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGsGXronI/AAAAAAAAAbM/txA4SFGu4gE/s1600-h/IMGP8465.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747057128350322" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGsGXronI/AAAAAAAAAbM/txA4SFGu4gE/s400/IMGP8465.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQfVxOMI/AAAAAAAAAas/gGTmcX9FqMk/s1600-h/IMGP8454.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333746582794877122" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQfVxOMI/AAAAAAAAAas/gGTmcX9FqMk/s400/IMGP8454.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQgtBIzI/AAAAAAAAAa0/vOUGDQAWiWw/s1600-h/IMGP8455.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333746583160824626" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQgtBIzI/AAAAAAAAAa0/vOUGDQAWiWw/s400/IMGP8455.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGr5F8qZI/AAAAAAAAAa8/Q9Ue1HhtO9k/s1600-h/IMGP8463.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747053564307858" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGr5F8qZI/AAAAAAAAAa8/Q9Ue1HhtO9k/s400/IMGP8463.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQGF2ipI/AAAAAAAAAak/q5SoGbXZF1A/s1600-h/IMGP8421.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333746576017230482" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQGF2ipI/AAAAAAAAAak/q5SoGbXZF1A/s400/IMGP8421.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHboM2UpI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Ucg8N1GVynU/s1600-h/IMGP8475.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747873663570578" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHboM2UpI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Ucg8N1GVynU/s400/IMGP8475.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHNawcN0I/AAAAAAAAAcE/EMw9EEfoin0/s1600-h/IMGP8473.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333747629536589634" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVHNawcN0I/AAAAAAAAAcE/EMw9EEfoin0/s400/IMGP8473.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQKQ5SHI/AAAAAAAAAaU/8A8nMNuVfAo/s1600-h/IMGP8408.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333746577137289330" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQKQ5SHI/AAAAAAAAAaU/8A8nMNuVfAo/s400/IMGP8408.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQMsKraI/AAAAAAAAAac/7MIUfEHHiYA/s1600-h/IMGP8410.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333746577788546466" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SgVGQMsKraI/AAAAAAAAAac/7MIUfEHHiYA/s400/IMGP8410.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p></div></div></div></div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-80321202278389993492009-05-04T18:55:00.009+10:002009-05-05T20:20:06.004+10:00TL002 Completed Oil Finish<div align="justify">The TL002 Tenor Long Scale Tasmanian Blackwood ukulele has been finished with a Tru-Oil varnish. This finishing technique is applied to most MAKAIO ukuleles, as it is incredibly light and has little dampening effect on the acoustics of the instrument.<br /><br />Prior to applying the oil varnish, a pore filling process was completed for the body of the ukulele, using a clear epoxy finishing resin. By filling the pores of the timber prior to applying the oil varnish, the completed finish appears significantly smoother and the body has a higher gloss. Following the application of the pore filler epoxy, the ukulele was level sanded back to bare timber, and the application of the Tru-Oil finish started. Overall the Blackwood ukulele recieved four base coats of oil (applied two coats daily), followed by a light sanding, then four finishing coats (applied one coat per day). The oil finish was then allowed to fully cure for approximately one week, followed by the application of a light wax (mixture of beeswax, carnauba wax, and silicon).<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sf6yTQn9QKI/AAAAAAAAAaM/ikmvpWiABNg/s1600-h/IMGP8377.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331895052803063970" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sf6yTQn9QKI/AAAAAAAAAaM/ikmvpWiABNg/s400/IMGP8377.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sf6yTCjWYhI/AAAAAAAAAaE/sEgiMKiRm5o/s1600-h/IMGP8372.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331895049025643026" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sf6yTCjWYhI/AAAAAAAAAaE/sEgiMKiRm5o/s400/IMGP8372.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Completed oil finish on the Tasmanian Blackwood ukulele</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sf6yTAwLcDI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/Mb8afvrYzM0/s1600-h/IMGP8371.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331895048542580786" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sf6yTAwLcDI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/Mb8afvrYzM0/s400/IMGP8371.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">A Tasmanian Blackwood and a Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle ukulele hanging to dry</span></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-13884812064887706142009-03-28T21:09:00.007+11:002009-05-05T20:23:57.066+10:00TL002 Completed Body, Neck, and Headstock<div align="justify">The body of the TL002 Tenor Ukulele has now been bound with solid fiddleback Tasmanian Blackwood timber bindings with contrasting black/white/black stripes. The soundboard and back of the ukulele have had black/white purflings installed. The fiddleback Blackwood bindings were purchased from Australian Tonewoods, and give the ukulele a beautiful edge with the binding/purfling combination. The solid timber bindings also help to provide additional strength and protection from dings to the corners of the ukulele body, by ensuring that there is no endgrain exposed on the edges of the back and soundboard. The finishing touch to the body was the addition of a native Australian Gidgee heel cap, which will match the ukulele’s fretboard and bridge.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sc334klPvgI/AAAAAAAAAZU/0AIwsRElcLE/s1600-h/IMGP8301.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318179286259056130" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sc334klPvgI/AAAAAAAAAZU/0AIwsRElcLE/s400/IMGP8301.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">TL002 Tenor Long Scale Ukulele - Blackwood body, front</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><br /><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sc335gKfkBI/AAAAAAAAAZk/zJO-xavOTmo/s1600-h/IMGP8308.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318179302252974098" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sc335gKfkBI/AAAAAAAAAZk/zJO-xavOTmo/s400/IMGP8308.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">TL002 Tenor Long Scale Ukulele - Blackwood body, back</span></div><div align="justify"><br />Following the completion of the body binding, the fretboard was cut, slotted, fretted and installed. The fretboard for this ukulele is a piece of Gidgee, a hard and dense Australian native desert hardwood. Gidgee is an excellent fretboard alternative to more traditional timbers such as ebony and rosewood, especially on nylon stringed instruments where fret wear is minimal. The surface of MAKAIO ukulele fretboards are sanded to a 12” radius curve and have mother of pearl marker dots inlayed, to increase the playability of the ukulele. The radiused fretboard surface allows chords to be fretted with less pressure from the fingers compared to a flat fretboard surface.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sc335U2x8gI/AAAAAAAAAZc/X9Q5NSFsh24/s1600-h/IMGP8305.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318179299217502722" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sc335U2x8gI/AAAAAAAAAZc/X9Q5NSFsh24/s400/IMGP8305.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">TL002 Tenor Long Scale Ukulele - Blackwood body with Gidgee fretboard</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><br />The final steps completed to date for the TL002 Tenor Ukulele have been to cut and shape the headstock, and to shape the ukulele neck. MAKAIO Ukuleles have a decorative black/white purfling stripe around the edges of the headstock, as well as book matched veneers on both the top and bottom faces of the headstock. This covers the strengthening scarf joint between the neck and headstock, as well as the headstock ‘ears’ that are used to give the headstock additional width to the neck.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sc336APMFBI/AAAAAAAAAZs/zty0D0XXlR8/s1600-h/IMGP8310.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318179310862603282" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Sc336APMFBI/AAAAAAAAAZs/zty0D0XXlR8/s400/IMGP8310.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Bookmatched Blackwood headstock</span></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-85830397368393479412009-03-24T07:42:00.006+11:002009-05-05T20:28:37.972+10:00TKL003 Completed Body, Neck, and Headstock<div align="justify">The body of the TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele has now been bound with solid “Tiger” Myrtle timber bindings with contrasting black/white/black stripes. The soundboard and back of the ukulele have had black/white purflings installed. While this binding/purfling combination not only looks great, the solid Myrtle bindings also help to provide additional strength and protection from dings to the corners of the ukulele body. The finishing touch to the body was the addition of a Macassar Ebony heel cap, which will match the ukulele’s fretboard and bridge.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf04uAeSlI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Hyt0cI7VFEQ/s1600-h/IMGP8280.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316487140394027602" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf04uAeSlI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Hyt0cI7VFEQ/s400/IMGP8280.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf04ungG_I/AAAAAAAAAYk/bpzydsbNn0g/s1600-h/IMGP8281.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316487140557724658" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf04ungG_I/AAAAAAAAAYk/bpzydsbNn0g/s400/IMGP8281.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Tiger Myrtle sides, binding, and tail strip</span><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf048i-ITI/AAAAAAAAAYs/ndDIiydZ6O0/s1600-h/IMGP8282.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316487144296816946" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf048i-ITI/AAAAAAAAAYs/ndDIiydZ6O0/s400/IMGP8282.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#009900;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Indication of the colour of sides and tail strip with finish applied</span></p><p align="justify"><br />Following the completion of the body binding, the fretboard was cut, slotted, fretted and installed. The fretboard for this ukulele is a beautiful piece of Macassar Ebony, one of the highest quality timbers available for fretboards. The surface of MAKAIO Ukulele fretboards are sanded to a 12” radius curve and have mother of pearl marker dots inlayed, to increase the playability of the ukulele. The radiused fretbard surface allows chords to be fretted with less pressure from the fingers compared to a flat fretboard surface.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf1TOZwAOI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ta-SYeLWw8w/s1600-h/IMGP8290.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316487595766579426" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf1TOZwAOI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ta-SYeLWw8w/s400/IMGP8290.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf1TLkLagI/AAAAAAAAAZE/0TuWsFgxGKo/s1600-h/IMGP8294.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316487595005012482" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf1TLkLagI/AAAAAAAAAZE/0TuWsFgxGKo/s400/IMGP8294.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf06dDR2hI/AAAAAAAAAY0/Fh9HHsYUCZo/s1600-h/IMGP8288.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316487170202130962" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf06dDR2hI/AAAAAAAAAY0/Fh9HHsYUCZo/s400/IMGP8288.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="justify"><br />The final steps completed to date for the TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele have been to cut and shape the headstock, and to shape the ukulele neck. One of the most important features of hand making a ukulele is the ability to shape the instrument neck by continually shaving away timber until the profile is just right. This allows the neck to take a shape that feels right in the hand. As with all design features of the long neck MAKAIO Ukuleles, the neck has been shaped to allow fast and smooth movement of the fretting hand over the entire neck length.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf1TcbfzzI/AAAAAAAAAZM/7AdfjM5qpKw/s1600-h/IMGP8297.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316487599532003122" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/Scf1TcbfzzI/AAAAAAAAAZM/7AdfjM5qpKw/s400/IMGP8297.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-70275855883271081992009-03-21T21:18:00.016+11:002009-05-05T20:33:11.221+10:00TKL003 Body Construction<div align="justify">A range of steps were completed to progress the ukulele from separate back, soundboard, sides and neck, to the completed or “boxed” body. At the start of this process, the components of the ukulele included the back and soundboard with shaped bracing, the neck with Spanish style heel block and carved heel, and the thicknessed timber for the sides. The steps that have been undertaken form the constructed body for this ukeulele include:<br /></div><ul><li><div align="justify">Cutting the side pieces to the required profile, so that they follow the domed shape at the soundboard and backboard edges</div></li><li><div align="justify">Bending the side pieces</div></li><li><div align="justify">Joining the soundboard to the neck table at the heel block</div></li><li><div align="justify">Shaping and joining the tail block to the soundboard</div></li><li><div align="justify">Cutting the bent sides to length and joining to the soundboard</div></li><li><div align="justify">Fixing the kerfed lining between the sides and the soundboard, and the sides and back</div></li><li><div align="justify">Reinforcing the treble side upper boat and cutting the sideport</div></li><li><div align="justify">Closing the ukulele body by joining the back plate</div></li><li><div align="justify">Trimming the back and soundboard to be flush to the sides<br /></div></li></ul><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/ScTA95FGGII/AAAAAAAAAX8/zqHUkj7qWNg/s1600-h/IMGP7955.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315585629730773122" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/ScTA95FGGII/AAAAAAAAAX8/zqHUkj7qWNg/s400/IMGP7955.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele front (Englemann Spruce)</span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/ScTA9xEEJFI/AAAAAAAAAYM/Zo-xCg4gxMY/s1600-h/IMGP8185.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315585627578967122" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/ScTA9xEEJFI/AAAAAAAAAYM/Zo-xCg4gxMY/s400/IMGP8185.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele back (Tiger Myrtle)</span></p><p align="left"></p><div align="justify"><br />More details of this process have been written for the T004 Ukulele, including images for most of these steps:<br /><br /><a href="http://makaioukuleles.blogspot.com/2009/01/t004-body-construction.html">http://makaioukuleles.blogspot.com/2009/01/t004-body-construction.html</a><br /><br />To enhance the advantages of the modified Kasha bracing system used for this ukulele, the soundhole area on the soundboard has been kept to a minimum and is primarily decorative. However, to allow the air within the ukulele body to resonate, a sound hole was placed in the ukulele side in the bass upper bout (sideport). The use of the combined sideport and minimal soundboard soundhole has two purposes, firstly the available soundboard area is increased by not having a large centre sound hole, and secondly the voice of the ukulele is projected from the body in a range of directions. The side of the ukulele in the area of the sideport was first reinforced with a cross-grain spruce patch to increase the strength around the sideport. Black and white veneers were laminated between the spruce patch and the Tiger Myrtle side wood, which gives the edges of the sideport a decorative white/black/white stripe.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/ScTA-ES6n8I/AAAAAAAAAYU/d70uA_DbISg/s1600-h/IMGP8216.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315585632741531586" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/ScTA-ES6n8I/AAAAAAAAAYU/d70uA_DbISg/s400/IMGP8216.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Sideport and soundholes</span></div><div align="justify"><br />With the body of the ukulele now constructed, the tap tone of the body is loud, deep, and sweet. The modified Kasha bracing and Engelmann Spruce soundboard produce a tap tone that indicates that this ukulele will have a long sustain. The ukulele body will now be further tuned by thinning the bass side of the soundboard to improve the deeper pitched notes within the instrument's range.</div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-17423116327502419412009-02-01T11:47:00.006+11:002009-05-05T20:35:50.316+10:00T005 Body Construction<div align="justify">A range of steps were completed to progress the ukulele from separate back, soundboard, sides and neck, to the completed or “boxed” body. At the start of this process, the components of the ukulele included the back and soundboard with shaped bracing, the neck with Spanish style heel block and carved heel, and the thicknessed timber for the sides. The steps that have been undertaken form the constructed body for this ukeulele include:<br /><br /></div><ul><li><div align="justify">Cutting the side pieces to the required profile, so that they follow the domed shape at the soundboard and backboard edges</div></li><li><div align="justify">Bending the side pieces</div></li><li><div align="justify">Joining the soundboard to the neck table at the heel block</div></li><li><div align="justify">Shaping and joining the tail block to the soundboard </div></li><li><div align="justify">Cutting the bent sides to length and joining to the soundboard </div></li><li><div align="justify">Fixing the kerfed lining between the sides and the soundboard, and the sides and back </div></li><li><div align="justify">Closing the ukulele body by joining the back plate </div></li><li><div align="justify">Trimming the back and soundboard to be flush to the sides<br /></div></li></ul><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYTyHLHBXYI/AAAAAAAAAWs/AsKSKKZ_es0/s1600-h/IMGP8220.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297625266749791618" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYTyHLHBXYI/AAAAAAAAAWs/AsKSKKZ_es0/s400/IMGP8220.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Constructed Walnut Ukulele body - front</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYTyHcGH_vI/AAAAAAAAAW0/dPyvisdgPUA/s1600-h/IMGP8221.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297625271309434610" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYTyHcGH_vI/AAAAAAAAAW0/dPyvisdgPUA/s400/IMGP8221.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Constructed Walnut Ukulele body - back</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYTyHbMXQLI/AAAAAAAAAW8/szTLFtvE9Zs/s1600-h/IMGP8225.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297625271067164850" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYTyHbMXQLI/AAAAAAAAAW8/szTLFtvE9Zs/s400/IMGP8225.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYTyGx4rhaI/AAAAAAAAAWk/7XqEUFaiE4M/s1600-h/IMGP7979.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297625259978753442" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYTyGx4rhaI/AAAAAAAAAWk/7XqEUFaiE4M/s400/IMGP7979.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Walnut Ukulele soundboard with Maple rosette</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">More details of this process have been written for the T004 ukulele, including images for most of these steps:<br /><br /><a href="http://makaioukuleles.blogspot.com/2009/01/t004-body-construction.html">http://makaioukuleles.blogspot.com/2009/01/t004-body-construction.html</a></div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-85858958230841294932009-01-31T21:03:00.016+11:002009-05-05T20:47:39.523+10:00T004 Body Construction<div align="justify">A range of steps were completed to progress the ukulele from separate back, soundboard, sides and neck, to the completed or “boxed” body. At the start of this process, the components of the ukulele included the back and soundboard with shaped bracing, the neck with Spanish style heel block and carved heel, and the thicknessed timber for the sides. The steps that have been undertaken form the constructed body for this ukulele include:<br /><br />1. Cutting the side pieces to the required profile, so that they follow the domed shape at the soundboard and backboard edges<br /><br />MAKAIO Ukuleles are produced to have a 15 ft radius domed back and a 20 ft radius domed soundboard. The doming of the ukulele soundboard pre-stresses the soundboard to resist string tension, allowing the soundboard to be built lighter than flat topped instruments. The tighter curve for the ukulele back gives the instrument greater projection and helps make the ukulele body more comfortable to hold and play. To allow the soundboard and back to truly follow the domed shape, the side width of the instrument varies around the instrument perimeter. To allow for this, the sides are cut to a pre-determined profile prior to bending, increasing the ease of forming the ukulele body.<br /><br />2. Bending the side pieces<br /><br />Following initial profiling the ukulele sides are bent to shape using a specially made steam bending form. The heat and moisture applied to the timber side pieces allows the timber to become pliable, and the pieces are pulled into shape on the bending form. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQi681WQeI/AAAAAAAAAVU/uYPlbyEI4HI/s1600-h/IMGP6994.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297397457852187106" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQi681WQeI/AAAAAAAAAVU/uYPlbyEI4HI/s400/IMGP6994.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Bent Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle side pieces</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">3. Joining the soundboard to the neck table at the heel block<br /><br />The first step in forming the ukulele body is to join the soundboard to the neck, by fixing the soundboard into the recess that was previously cut into the neck block.<br /><br />4. Shaping and joining the tail block to the soundboard<br /><br />To reinforce the tail area of the ukulele, a solid timber block is placed between the soundboard and backboard at the tail of the instrument. This block also allows a strong joint at the tail of the body between the two side pieces. The tail block is first shaped to form the curved body profile, and has the slope sanded on to the top and bottom of the block to conform to the domed shape of the soundboard and back. The soundboard and neck are then placed on a specially made ukulele construction jig, and the tail block is glued into place on the soundboard.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQi6_uDFmI/AAAAAAAAAVc/oonkyvz3dCg/s1600-h/IMGP7005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297397458626877026" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQi6_uDFmI/AAAAAAAAAVc/oonkyvz3dCg/s400/IMGP7005.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Neck and tail block fixed to soundboard</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br />5. Cutting the bent sides to length and joining to the soundboard<br /><br />The bent side pieces are cut to the exact required length, and are dry fitted to the soundboard and neck. Once final adjustments are made, the sides are glued to the soundboard, neck, and tail block. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQi7LOFIcI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Ln9IADzP3sY/s1600-h/IMGP7014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297397461714018754" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQi7LOFIcI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Ln9IADzP3sY/s400/IMGP7014.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQi7LqNmtI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Hmi7GB-JK40/s1600-h/IMGP7034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297397461832014546" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQi7LqNmtI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Hmi7GB-JK40/s400/IMGP7034.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Fitting side pieces to soundboard and into neck block</span><br /></p><p align="justify">6. Fixing the kerfed lining between the sides and the soundboard, and the sides and back<br /><br />To reinforce the joint between the soundboard and sides and the back and sides, solid timber kerfed liner strips are sanded to shape and glued into place. This maintains the strength of the ukulele body, even once the perimeter of the instrument is cut to allow timber binding to be fitted.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQjrj0vqYI/AAAAAAAAAV0/3zoW4svXA_4/s1600-h/IMGP7062.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297398292952361346" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQjrj0vqYI/AAAAAAAAAV0/3zoW4svXA_4/s400/IMGP7062.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Completed body with kerfed lining installed</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">7. Closing the ukulele body by joining the back plate<br /><br />Once the kerfed lining is fitted, the interior of the body is final sanded, and the ukulele back plate is fitted to the body sides. During this step, the cross braces on the back plate are cut to the correct length, and the kerfed liner strips in the body are notched to allow the cross braces to fit neatly. The back plate is then glued and clamped to the sides, and the body allowed to dry overnight.<br /><br />8. Trimming the back and soundboard to be flush to the sides<br /><br />The final step in forming the ukulele body is to trim the excess material from the soundboard and back plates to form a neat flush joint with the instrument sides.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQlHoafJJI/AAAAAAAAAWc/RNCPgnpxK40/s1600-h/IMGP8172.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297399874732369042" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQlHoafJJI/AAAAAAAAAWc/RNCPgnpxK40/s400/IMGP8172.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Completed body front - Queensland Bunya Pine soundboard</span></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQjrtlKanI/AAAAAAAAAWM/9ReTglZJlhc/s1600-h/IMGP8173.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297398295571360370" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQjrtlKanI/AAAAAAAAAWM/9ReTglZJlhc/s400/IMGP8173.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Completed body back - Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQjrgpGVQI/AAAAAAAAAV8/GytDoSS1E0w/s1600-h/IMGP7968.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297398292098209026" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQjrgpGVQI/AAAAAAAAAV8/GytDoSS1E0w/s400/IMGP7968.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQjr6Cz9xI/AAAAAAAAAWU/pkzxZgEiYEQ/s1600-h/IMGP8209.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297398298916943634" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQjr6Cz9xI/AAAAAAAAAWU/pkzxZgEiYEQ/s400/IMGP8209.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Bunya Pine soundboard with Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle rosette</span></div><span style="color:#009900;"></span><div align="justify"><br />The beautiful Bunya soundboard gives this ukulele a nice contrasting appearance against the "Tiger" Myrtle back and sides, and the timbers combine to provide a strong but unique tap tone. The ukulele body will now be further refined by selectively thinning areas of soundboard and back to improve the voice of the ukulele by allowing the soundboard and back to resonate more freely. </div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-74033060214812740272009-01-31T19:31:00.013+11:002009-05-11T18:42:34.882+10:00TL002 Body Construction<p align="justify">A range of steps were completed to progress the ukulele from separate back, soundboard, sides and neck, to the completed or “boxed” body. At the start of this process, the components of the ukulele included the back and soundboard with shaped bracing, the neck with Spanish style heel block and carved heel, and the thicknessed timber for the sides. The steps that have been undertaken form the constructed body for this ukeulele include:<br /><br /></p><ul><li>Cutting the side pieces to the required profile, so that they follow the domed shape at the soundboard and backboard edges</li><li>Bending the side pieces</li><li>Joining the soundboard to the neck table at the heel block</li><li>Shaping and joining the tail block to the soundboard</li><li>Cutting the bent sides to length and joining to the soundboard</li><li>Fixing the kerfed lining between the sides and the soundboard, and the sides and back</li><li>Closing the ukulele body by joining the back plate</li><li>Trimming the back and soundboard to be flush to the sides<br /></li></ul><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPIKwT9XI/AAAAAAAAAUs/RqwTaGwmfkE/s1600-h/IMGP6913.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297375694694905202" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPIKwT9XI/AAAAAAAAAUs/RqwTaGwmfkE/s400/IMGP6913.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#009900;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Sides joined to soundboard and neck, with kerfed lining fitted<br /></span><br /></p><p align="left">More details of this process have been written for the T004 ukulele, including images for most of these steps:<br /><br /><a href="http://makaioukuleles.blogspot.com/2009/01/t004-body-construction.html">http://makaioukuleles.blogspot.com/2009/01/t004-body-construction.html</a></p><p align="justify"><br />With the body of the ukulele now constructed, the tap tone can already be heard to be loud and full, primarily due to the Blackwood soundboard. The ukulele body will now be further tuned by selectively thinning areas of soundboard and back to refine the sound of the ukulele and improve the projection and sustain.<br /></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPIFoHzsI/AAAAAAAAAU8/FY457LCcnCA/s1600-h/IMGP8194.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297375693318377154" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPIFoHzsI/AAAAAAAAAU8/FY457LCcnCA/s400/IMGP8194.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Assembled body - front</span></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPILfk_JI/AAAAAAAAAVE/x8TfXyBNatI/s1600-h/IMGP8195.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297375694893153426" style="WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPILfk_JI/AAAAAAAAAVE/x8TfXyBNatI/s400/IMGP8195.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Assembled body - back</span></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPIBLekFI/AAAAAAAAAU0/1cjegPXQ8Zc/s1600-h/IMGP7951.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297375692124491858" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPIBLekFI/AAAAAAAAAU0/1cjegPXQ8Zc/s400/IMGP7951.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPIcIjD_I/AAAAAAAAAVM/ybtrCL3503w/s1600-h/IMGP8212.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297375699359961074" style="WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SYQPIcIjD_I/AAAAAAAAAVM/ybtrCL3503w/s400/IMGP8212.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Soundhole and "Tiger" Myrtle rosette; a</span><span style="color:#009900;">ssembled Blackwood body</span></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-70256988147665950202008-08-31T22:30:00.005+10:002009-05-11T18:32:24.538+10:00T004 Tenor UkuleleNeck Preparation<div align="justify">The Australian native Queensland Maple neck blank that was selected for this ukulele was initially milled to size for a guitar neck. This was re-sawn to produce a neck with the required dimensions for a 12 fret 17” Tenor ukulele scale, along with heel blocks for a stacked heel neck design. Queensland Maple is extremely similar in appearance and strength to a Honduran Mahogany, and is one of the best native Australian timbers available for use in instrument necks. The scarf joint was cut and joined to produce a 12 degree break angle between the neck and headstock, which will provide the right string angle from the nut to the tuning slots, and ensure suitable downward string force over the nut. This break angle differs from the standard 15 degree angle used for ukuleles, as this ukulele will have a slotted “classical” style headstock. The top surface of the neck was slotted along its length, and a carbon fibre stiffening rod fitted to increase the stiffness and stability of the neck. The heel blocks were then glued to produce a stacked heel, following the plans for a Spanish style neck/body connection, with the neck joining to the body at the 12th fret.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqPvI_yYII/AAAAAAAAARc/SecWvLtfjbM/s1600-h/IMGP1758.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240659156430643330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqPvI_yYII/AAAAAAAAARc/SecWvLtfjbM/s400/IMGP1758.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Queensland Maple neck blank</span></div><div align="justify"><br />MAKAIO Ukuleles are constructed using a traditional Spanish style neck/body connection. With this neck design, the sides are fitted into pre-cut slots in the heel block, and the soundboard is recessed into the top of the heel block. This creates an extremely strong one-piece connection between the neck and body, which reduces loss of sound energy into the neck. By not using any mechanical fasteners to fix the neck to the body, the heel of MAKAIO Ukuleles is able to be made delicate and in proportion to the small body size, allowing access to more of the fretboard.<br /><br />Once the neck scarf joint and heel blocks had been completed, the neck was tapered roughly oversize for the finished dimensions, and the heel carved to its final shape. The table of the heel blocks was then recessed to accept the Bunya soundboard so that when the body and neck are joined, the soundboard and upper neck surface are perfectly flush. The remainder of the heel blocks were cut down to reduce mass, while maintaining strength in the neck/body connection.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqPvFOOf0I/AAAAAAAAARk/BYoWJHA8GyM/s1600-h/IMGP5868.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240659155417464642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqPvFOOf0I/AAAAAAAAARk/BYoWJHA8GyM/s400/IMGP5868.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqPvXG3fiI/AAAAAAAAARs/bChiZM7aqcY/s1600-h/IMGP5872.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240659160218435106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqPvXG3fiI/AAAAAAAAARs/bChiZM7aqcY/s400/IMGP5872.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Spanish style Queensland Maple neck</span></div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-1237828904571227742008-08-31T22:23:00.007+10:002009-05-11T18:31:59.393+10:00TKL003 Tenor Kasha UkuleleNeck Preparation<div align="justify">The neck for the TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele will be made from Honduran Mahogany, one of the most supreme timbers available for ukulele necks. The neck blank from Hana Lima ‘Ia was already prepared to the correct thickness, and width, and came with pre-cut heel blocks. The first step in construction of the neck was to cut the scarf joint to form the neck/headstock connection. The scarf joint was cut and joined to produce a 15 degree break angle between the neck and headstock, which will provide the right string angle from the nut to the tuning posts, and ensure suitable downward string force over the nut. The top surface of the neck was then slotted along its length, and a carbon fibre stiffening rod fitted to increase the stiffness and stability of the neck. The heel blocks were then glued to produce a stacked heel, following the plans for a Spanish style neck/body connection, with the neck joining to the body at the 14th fret.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqN7iWF8yI/AAAAAAAAARE/TcHdusLWklw/s1600-h/IMGP5550.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240657170370261794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqN7iWF8yI/AAAAAAAAARE/TcHdusLWklw/s400/IMGP5550.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Honduran Mahogany neck blank</span></div><div align="justify"><br />MAKAIO Ukuleles are constructed using a traditional Spanish style neck/body connection. With this neck design, the sides are fitted into pre-cut slots in the heel block, and the soundboard is recessed into the top of the heel block. This creates an extremely strong one-piece connection between the neck and body, which reduces loss of sound energy into the neck. By not using any mechanical fasteners to fix the neck to the body, the heel of MAKAIO Ukuleles is able to be made delicate and in proportion to the small body size, allowing access to more of the fretboard.<br /><br />Once the neck scarf joint and heel blocks had been completed, the neck was tapered roughly oversize for the finished dimensions, and the heel carved to its final shape. The table of the heel blocks was then recessed to accept the soundboard so that when the body and neck are joined, the soundboard and upper neck surface are perfectly flush. The remainder of the heel blocks were cut down to reduce mass, while maintaining strength in the neck/body connection. The final step in preparation of the neck was to add ears to the side of the headstock, to provide increased width, and allow the headstock to later be cut to the unique MAKAIO headstock shape.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqN71Hq6qI/AAAAAAAAARM/SMCa0qkODCU/s1600-h/IMGP5877.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240657175410043554" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqN71Hq6qI/AAAAAAAAARM/SMCa0qkODCU/s400/IMGP5877.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqN7_fyz6I/AAAAAAAAARU/N9c3HQkG2bQ/s1600-h/IMGP5879.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240657178195578786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqN7_fyz6I/AAAAAAAAARU/N9c3HQkG2bQ/s400/IMGP5879.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Spanish style Honduran Mahogany neck</span></div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-44987433304161138242008-08-31T22:08:00.009+10:002009-05-11T18:40:27.340+10:00TKL003 Tenor Kasha UkuleleSoundboard and Back Preparation<div align="justify">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.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqKsg3p-fI/AAAAAAAAAQU/w8Y8ItriN3w/s1600-h/IMGP5497.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240653613741242866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqKsg3p-fI/AAAAAAAAAQU/w8Y8ItriN3w/s400/IMGP5497.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Engelmann Spruce soundboard</span></div><div align="justify"><br />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.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqKspJWVhI/AAAAAAAAAQc/BgT2w2JFYTI/s1600-h/IMGP5209.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240653615962936850" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqKspJWVhI/AAAAAAAAAQc/BgT2w2JFYTI/s400/IMGP5209.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqKs31gihI/AAAAAAAAAQs/25f5qNr0THo/s1600-h/IMGP5492.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240653619906251282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqKs31gihI/AAAAAAAAAQs/25f5qNr0THo/s400/IMGP5492.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqKs2glRzI/AAAAAAAAAQk/n2VvUV9ZygY/s1600-h/IMGP5480.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240653619550046002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqKs2glRzI/AAAAAAAAAQk/n2VvUV9ZygY/s400/IMGP5480.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle back</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqK77JGaII/AAAAAAAAAQ8/mIkFA5s8V8s/s1600-h/IMGP5775.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240653878491768962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqK77JGaII/AAAAAAAAAQ8/mIkFA5s8V8s/s400/IMGP5775.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele soundboard and back (outside)</span><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqK77yRnLI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/QCTXX4M7mpk/s1600-h/IMGP5773.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240653878664469682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqK77yRnLI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/QCTXX4M7mpk/s400/IMGP5773.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">TKL003 Tenor Kasha Ukulele soundboard and back (inside)</span></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-80948385344225359132008-08-31T22:00:00.004+10:002009-05-11T18:31:03.087+10:00T005 Tenor UkuleleNeck Preparation<div align="justify">The neck for the T005 Tenor Ukulele will be made from Black Walnut to match the ukulele body. The neck blank from Hana Lima ‘Ia was already prepared to the correct thickness, and width, and came with pre-cut heel blocks. The first step in construction of the neck was to cut the scarf joint to form the neck/headstock connection. The scarf joint was cut and joined to produce a 12 degree break angle between the neck and headstock, which will provide the right string angle from the nut to the tuning slots, and ensure suitable downward string force over the nut. This break angle differs from the standard 15 degree angle used for ukuleles, as this ukulele will have a slotted “classical” style headstock. The top surface of the neck was slotted along its length, and a carbon fibre stiffening rod fitted to increase the stiffness and stability of the neck. The heel blocks were then glued to produce a stacked heel, following the plans for a Spanish style neck/body connection, with the neck joining to the body at the 12th fret.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqIa6lFU6I/AAAAAAAAAP8/pHIE-Rdod2c/s1600-h/IMGP5557.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240651112381764514" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqIa6lFU6I/AAAAAAAAAP8/pHIE-Rdod2c/s400/IMGP5557.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Black Walnut neck blank</span></div><div align="justify"><br />MAKAIO Ukuleles are constructed using a traditional Spanish style neck/body connection. With this neck design, the sides are fitted into pre-cut slots in the heel block, and the soundboard is recessed into the top of the heel block. This creates an extremely strong one-piece connection between the neck and body, which reduces loss of sound energy into the neck. By not using any mechanical fasteners to fix the neck to the body, the heel of MAKAIO Ukuleles is able to be made delicate and in proportion to the small body size, allowing access to more of the fretboard.<br /><br />Once the neck scarf joint and heel blocks had been completed, the neck was tapered roughly oversize for the finished dimensions, and the heel carved to its final shape. The table of the heel blocks was then recessed to accept the soundboard so that when the body and neck are joined, the soundboard and upper neck surface are perfectly flush. The remainder of the heel blocks were cut down to reduce mass, while maintaining strength in the neck/body connection. The final step in preparation of the neck was to add ears to the side of the headstock, to provide increased width, and allow the headstock to later be cut to the unique MAKAIO slotted headstock shape.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqIbBSfguI/AAAAAAAAAQE/dnQ5m7yMNVE/s1600-h/IMGP5875.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240651114182836962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqIbBSfguI/AAAAAAAAAQE/dnQ5m7yMNVE/s400/IMGP5875.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqIbE_ejEI/AAAAAAAAAQM/9jHPherb_aA/s1600-h/IMGP5876.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240651115176823874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqIbE_ejEI/AAAAAAAAAQM/9jHPherb_aA/s400/IMGP5876.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Spanish style Black Walnut neck</span> </div>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-59781261065910902422008-08-31T21:45:00.015+10:002009-05-11T18:47:50.480+10:00TL002 Tenor Long Scale UkuleleNeck Preparation<div align="justify">The large Tasmanian Blackwood block that was purchased for the TL002 Tenor Long Scale Ukulele was initially cut down into enough pieces for two tenor sized neck blanks, along with heel blocks and tail blocks. The Blackwood neck blanks were perfectly quarter sawn, with tight strong grain. While slightly heavier than traditional neck timber, these Blackwood necks will be extremely stiff, and more importantly stable for many years to come. The scarf joint was cut and joined to produce a 15 degree break angle between the neck and headstock, which will provide the right string angle from the nut to the tuning posts, and ensure suitable downward string force over the nut. The top surface of the neck was then slotted along its length, and a carbon fibre stiffening rod fitted to increase the stiffness and stability of the neck. The heel blocks were then glued to produce a stacked heel, following the plans for a Spanish style neck/body connection, with the neck joining to the body at the 14th fret. </div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqFV5OTDzI/AAAAAAAAAPk/73xTbrhHPqU/s1600-h/IMGP5538.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240647727583530802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqFV5OTDzI/AAAAAAAAAPk/73xTbrhHPqU/s400/IMGP5538.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Tasmanian Blackwood neck blank</span></div><div align="justify"><br />MAKAIO Ukuleles are constructed using a traditional Spanish style neck/body connection. With this neck design, the sides are fitted into pre-cut slots in the heel block, and the soundboard is recessed into the top of the heel block. This creates an extremely strong one-piece connection between the neck and body, which reduces loss of sound energy into the neck. By not using any mechanical fasteners to fix the neck to the body, the heel of MAKAIO Ukuleles is able to be made delicate and in proportion to the small body size, allowing access to more of the fretboard.<br /><br />Once the neck scarf joint and heel blocks had been completed, the neck was tapered roughly oversize for the finished dimensions, and the heel carved to its final shape. The table of the heel blocks was then recessed to accept the Blackwood soundboard so that when the body and neck are joined, the soundboard and upper neck surface are perfectly flush. The remainder of the heel blocks were cut down to reduce mass, while maintaining strength in the neck/body connection. The final step in preparation of the neck was to add ears to the side of the headstock, to provide increased width, and allow the headstock to later be cut to the unique MAKAIO headstock shape.<br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqFVyqAS0I/AAAAAAAAAPs/COEnqn6stcI/s1600-h/IMGP5881.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240647725820693314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqFVyqAS0I/AAAAAAAAAPs/COEnqn6stcI/s400/IMGP5881.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqFWE6b4NI/AAAAAAAAAP0/V_R8qTNmeRc/s1600-h/IMGP5882.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240647730721448146" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLqFWE6b4NI/AAAAAAAAAP0/V_R8qTNmeRc/s400/IMGP5882.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Spanish style Tasmanian Blackwood neck with carved heel</span></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-89588133988192014142008-08-30T17:00:00.013+10:002009-05-11T18:29:45.677+10:00T005 Tenor UkuleleSoundboard and Back<div align="justify">The Black Walnut back and soundboard sets from Hana Lima ‘Ia were already beautifully thickness sanded to approximately 3 mm when they arrived. These sets felt light and had a nice tap tone even at this thickness. The bookmatched plates were first edge sanded and centre joined at this thickness. Edge sanding is completed using sandpaper fixed onto a piece of 10 mm thick plate glass with an aluminium angle fence. Using sandpaper fixed onto glass ensures that the sanding surface is perfectly flat, and forms a straight and tight centre joint for the pairs of bookmatched plates. The pair of plates are then weighted and clamped tightly together during gluing with the use of small timber wedges. This technique for forming and gluing soundboard and back plate pairs produces very strong and tightly sealed joints that assist in transfer of energy within the plates with minimal loss.<br /><br />Once the pair of bookmatched soundboard plates were centre joined, the rosette channel was then cut into the soundboard using a downcut spiral fluted router bit and a dremel tool with router base. In keeping with the simple appearance that this ukulele will have, the rosette has been designed using a combination of black/white purfling strips spaced with a thin solid maple timber strip. This rosette design will compliment the flamed maple bindings and the lighter streaks in the walnut soundboard. The black/white purlings and maple strip were inlaid to a depth of 0.9 mm and level sanded flush with the soundboard. The soundboard was then thickness sanded to 1.9 mm, at which point it felt suitably flexible cross-grain and had a sustained deep tap tone.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjy54bYgVI/AAAAAAAAAOs/g8bBlaywPCs/s1600-h/IMGP4967.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240205242659275090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjy54bYgVI/AAAAAAAAAOs/g8bBlaywPCs/s400/IMGP4967.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjy6X5SUZI/AAAAAAAAAO0/sjcLeJ0xKbc/s1600-h/IMGP4970.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240205251106197906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjy6X5SUZI/AAAAAAAAAO0/sjcLeJ0xKbc/s400/IMGP4970.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Black Walnut soundboard plate</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzQ2mSnwI/AAAAAAAAAO8/ZrYslI5KZOE/s1600-h/IMGP4973.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240205637305147138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzQ2mSnwI/AAAAAAAAAO8/ZrYslI5KZOE/s400/IMGP4973.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Routed rosette channel</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzRDQCEoI/AAAAAAAAAPM/AlT0uf6DTWk/s1600-h/IMGP5208.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240205640701448834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzRDQCEoI/AAAAAAAAAPM/AlT0uf6DTWk/s400/IMGP5208.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzRBUqUnI/AAAAAAAAAPE/uXBFCLsUzr0/s1600-h/IMGP5207.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240205640183992946" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzRBUqUnI/AAAAAAAAAPE/uXBFCLsUzr0/s400/IMGP5207.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Black Walnut back, and soundboard</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify"><br />The soundboard of the T005 Tenor Ukulele has a traditional symmetric fan bracing that is made up of three longitudinal tone bars supporting the lower section of the soundboard. Two cross braces are also located above and below the soundhole. To provide additional strength and to reduce the chance of splitting along the soundboard grain, the area around the soundhole was reinforced with a 1.8 mm thick cross-grain spruce patch. Likewise, the soundboard area directly under the bridge was also reinforced with a cross-grain spruce patch.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br />The back plate of this ukulele has a ladder style cross brace system, with braces across the back plate at the upper bout, waist, and lower bout. The centre joint between each half of the back plates is reinforced between the cross braces with a cross-grain spruce graft to provide additional strength.<br /><br />As with all MAKAIO Ukuleles, the spruce tone bars and braces that are used to provide structure to the ukulele are first shaped to a trapezoidal cross section. This allows the stiffness and bending strength of the braces to be maintained while significantly reducing their mass, due to the high moment of inertia for this cross sectional shape. Rectangular braces would be slightly more rigid, but would be significantly heavier than the trapezoidal section used. The base of the braces are then sanded to a domed profile with a 15 ft radius for back braces and 25 ft radius for soundboard braces. When glued to the soundboard and back using a domed dish workboard, the braces then force the plates to conform to the domed profile, which provides a pre-tensioning of the plates to help provide additional strength, allowing lighter soundboard and back plates to be used. The next step in preparing the soundboard and back for the ukulele is scalloping the ends of the braces to reduce the soundboard and back stiffness near to the ukulele perimeter, increasing their ability to resonate.<br /><br />The final step at this stage of the construction process is the addition of the MAKAIO Ukuleles label to the inside of the back plate. This label has the MAKAIO logo, as well as information indicating the construction time, ukulele model, and ukulele production number.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzj_9zLWI/AAAAAAAAAPc/iaOxO4twcm4/s1600-h/IMGP5769.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240205966237183330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzj_9zLWI/AAAAAAAAAPc/iaOxO4twcm4/s400/IMGP5769.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Completed Black Walnut back and soundboard</span></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzjqjg_5I/AAAAAAAAAPU/8X27WH2dvRc/s1600-h/IMGP5768.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240205960489795474" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SLjzjqjg_5I/AAAAAAAAAPU/8X27WH2dvRc/s400/IMGP5768.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Soundboard and back bracing</span></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975421690344549606.post-5583774958041257892008-07-06T19:09:00.009+10:002009-05-11T18:49:12.539+10:00T004 Tenor UkuleleSoundboard and Back<div align="justify">The initial thickness of the Bunya soundboard plate was approximately 3.5 mm, and was very stiff both cross and long grain. The two bookmatched pieces of Bunya were edge sanded and joined at this thickness, before being thinned down to approximately 3.1 mm. At this thickness, the rosette was inlaid and level sanded.<br /><br />To match the back and sides of this ukulele, a timber ‘Tiger’ Myrtle rosette was made, which also provides a striking contrast to the cream coloured bunya soundboard. The timber rosette was designed to have a black and white purfling either side. The soundboard was routed to a depth of 1 mm, and the ‘Tiger’ Myrtle and black/white purflings installed, before being level sanded. Following this, the soundboard was further thickness sanded down to approximately 2.4 mm, and the soundhole cut out. The Bunya soundboard is still surprisingly stiff at this thickness, and will probably require considerable thinning to produce the desired tap tone, once the instrument is assembled. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCMjNt94BI/AAAAAAAAANc/TqbUEYD-XJU/s1600-h/IMGP4976.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219826504728174610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCMjNt94BI/AAAAAAAAANc/TqbUEYD-XJU/s400/IMGP4976.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCMjD47tdI/AAAAAAAAANk/G5lfySk73zw/s1600-h/IMGP4977.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219826502089815506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCMjD47tdI/AAAAAAAAANk/G5lfySk73zw/s400/IMGP4977.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Bunya Pine soundboard plate, and routed channel for the rosette</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCMjQEOGhI/AAAAAAAAANs/5ezpnS9rqsE/s1600-h/IMGP4982.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219826505358383634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCMjQEOGhI/AAAAAAAAANs/5ezpnS9rqsE/s400/IMGP4982.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Tasmanian 'Tiger' Myrtle timber rosette</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="justify">The Engelmann Spruce braces that are used to reinforce MAKAIO Ukulele soundboards, are specially profiled before installation into a trapezoidal cross sectional shape, that provides a good compromise between stiffness and mass. Once profiled, the braces are sanded so that they conform to the 25 ft diameter dome that will be given to the soundboard by sanding the bottom of the braces on a convex domed/dished work board.<br /><br />All bracing is fixed to the inside of the soundboard using a go-bar deck, and another concave domed backboard, so that the soundboard takes on the 25 ft domed shape. This in effect pre-tensions the soundboard plate against the force generated by the strings, and allows the soundboard and bracing to be constructed fractionally lighter, improving the ukuleles sound. The first bracing added to the inside of the Bunya soundboard plate was a 1.8 mm thick cross-grain Engelmann Spruce bridge reinforcing patch. This patch will ensure that the force of the fully tensioned strings do not split the soundboard along the grain. The cross braces above and below the soundhole were then added, followed by the soundhole reinforcement plate. Finally, the three fan tone bars were notched to fit over the bridge patch, and were then fixed to the soundboard. The braces and tone bars were then scalloped to further reduce their mass, and increase the flexibility of the soundboard plate.<br /><br />The bookmatched ‘Tiger’ Myrtle back pieces were first edge sanded and candled so that they fitted perfectly together, and were then joined. Following this, the back plate was thickness sanded to approximately 2.5 mm, and the backstrip inlaid. For this ukulele, a yellow and red marquetry strip was selected for the backstrip, combined with a black/white/black purfling on either side. The inlaid strip was then sanded down flush to the back plate, and then the whole plate was thinned to approximately 2.0 mm.<br /><br />Three Engelmann Spruce cross braces are used to stiffen the back plates of MAKAIO Tenor Ukuleles. These braces were first profiled to the same trapezoidal cross sectional shape as the soundboard braces, and then sanded to conform to a 15 ft dome. Following this, the braces were fixed to the back using a go-bar deck, and a convex 15 ft radius domed workboard. A 15 ft dome in the back plate of the ukulele will increase the projection, and give the ukulele a larger voice, as well as increasing the strength of the ukulele body. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCNTpjgq1I/AAAAAAAAAN0/wLMtcmjaofQ/s1600-h/IMGP5204.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219827336834231122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCNTpjgq1I/AAAAAAAAAN0/wLMtcmjaofQ/s400/IMGP5204.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCNToGn2CI/AAAAAAAAAN8/zh8DpCwqU5I/s1600-h/IMGP5206.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219827336444631074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCNToGn2CI/AAAAAAAAAN8/zh8DpCwqU5I/s400/IMGP5206.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">'Tiger' Myrtle back, and Bunya Pine soundboard</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></div><br /><div align="justify">After the three cross braces were fixed to the back, cross-grain Engelmann Spruce graft pieces were fixed between each of the braces to reinforce the join between the two halves of the back plate. Preparation of the back plate was completed with the addition of the paper MAKAIO label. Every MAKAIO Ukulele has its own individually produced label to identify the instruments.</div><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCNT5sM3VI/AAAAAAAAAOM/p6RPmyvLjxY/s1600-h/IMGP5780.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219827341165649234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCNT5sM3VI/AAAAAAAAAOM/p6RPmyvLjxY/s400/IMGP5780.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Braced soundboard and back</span><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCNT5cciGI/AAAAAAAAAOU/RRLA4Fc3MmE/s1600-h/IMGP5781.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219827341099567202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ol9R7tJE8DY/SHCNT5cciGI/AAAAAAAAAOU/RRLA4Fc3MmE/s400/IMGP5781.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">Soundboard and back</span></p>Matt Blackahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06344110709261025880noreply@blogger.com0