Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Here a video with decent audio of the Custom Prima : [youtube]https://youtu.be/a32penp1Bao[/youtube]

Neck progress, figure will be interesting after shaping is complete

After the successful Jatoba/Blackwood combination used in the last build : http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=8386 with noticeable increased sustain, I have decided to try a Rosewood/Rewarewa combination into the next Custom Prima-R build. Will provide feed-back in the gallery with the final ...

For a soundhole adjust solution you will need a longer truss rod than the the neck adjust solution.
Some pics below may help to understand.
Valter

Following pics may help. I keep the opening size in the upper brace about 1 mm more than the size of the truss road end.
I cut the slot on the neck block and guitar top ( after the neck is installed) with a small laminate trimmer using a clamped fence.
Valter

Hi, I have been exposed to these cool instruments during my last trip to Hawaii while building a Uke under the guidance of Brad Donaldson As I have showed interest in these flutes construction, Brad built and gifted me a NAF made entirely with KOA timber (many thanks Brad :-) ) which I did learn how...

Thanks, I am more into guitars & flutes but have just ordered my copy from booktopia

Here a video clip with decent audio recording :
[youtube]https://youtu.be/DV7VM3wDfBY[/youtube]

yeah, it is a keeper

eheh, bit excessive, I am not into mass production

My last builds and first Ukuleles… hence the 3 tenors 😊 1) Uke-Koa Tenor 12 frets built under the guidance of Brad Donaldson in Kaua’i (HI) .. Lot of tricks and effective methods I have learned so thank you Brad & Carol, I have really enjoyed my time in your company. Front, Back & sides – Hawaiian K...

I can provide a contact of a dealer in India if you are interested. I have bought some timber from them recently and all went well. cheers Valter

This is a very beautiful instrument

Very interesting inlay styling. I'd expect that the Jarrah has given the sustain character. Great result. Wayne https://wjguitars.wixsite.com/mysite-1 Hi Wayne, my conclusion is that the sustain characteristic is coming with the 3 pieces neck with the Jatoba core. It is an incredibly stiff timber b...

Jim wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 19, 2019 12:57 pm

Beautiful! Do you like the King Billy?

I really like King Billy but very difficult to procure

This an OM style just completed: Type : OM like shape Top : King Billy Pine (double thanks Pete) Back & Sides : Jarrah (thanks Pete) Neck : 3 pieces laminated Blackwood with Jatoba core. Fretboard & Bridge : Ebony with dragonfly theme inlays (bit of a team work here), width at nut 45mm with zero fre...

I am planning to build a ukulele for my niece but, being the first build of the genre, I was wondering which would be a proper neck joint for a so small stringed instrument. thanks for your advise

See if I am able to share a couple of sound clips of the Custom Prima :

1) https://instaud.io/2RGp
2) https://instaud.io/2RGq

I have no experiences with recording, I have just used a small portable Tascam in a live venue situation.

whoa whoa whoa , I really like it and I am now inspired to start the design phase for a similar instrument.
Seems like you have a rosewood neck.. how difficult was the shaping process ?
Cheers Valter

Cheers Wayne, it has been bit of a challenge to avoid that orangey Padauk bleeding into the whitey Maple but at the end I am happy with the overall aesthetical appearance (oh well, except the binding job )
Also, there is a typo in the post, the Gibson scale is 24.75" (not 14.75").

This is my last build: Valben Custom Prima Details: - Moderate size box with wide x-bracing, cut-away and arm bevel. - Scale length 650mm with 13.5 frets at the neck joint. - Width at nut 45.5mm with zero fret. - Brass strings counter plate - Full L.R Baggs Anthem system. - Platina Shellac finish - ...

ehehe, now you make me wanting to try the Trevor cutaway, guess who's books will be on the top of my letter to santa this year.

Hi all, yes I am using a bending form with a heating blanket. I rarely use the bending iron, mainly for touch-ups or when I do not have a bending form. Yesterday I tried to use the iron on a scrap short pieces of Louro Faia using fabric conditioner and about an hour soak, the result is still not goo...

good question :) I have followed my standard procedure for binding (with little variations according to the timber in use). Thickness 2.05mm, tape the binding strips and protect them with paper after wetting the wood (wet but not soaked) with a spray bottle containing tap water. I usually start bend...

Yes, plan B is for blackwood binding which bends nicely and will properly pair with the Jarrah back & sides