Shaping the back curvature

The piccolos have an arched back. Maybe a dome is stronger, or an arch going across the grain direction. But this is a small one piece back and all the piccolos I've made this far has held up even with bookmatched backs, so I'm prepared to say this works.
Far in the background you can glimpse the neck I carved yesterday. My wife has a standing invitation to watch me carve a neck in 15 minutes, but so far I'm alone while carving.
And in the foreground, Johans zombie-bot keeps one and a half eye on the progress.

Edit: the glue in the orange bottle is not used in instrument construction.

Multi-solera upgraded

I put some more threaded inserts into the board, and this is my best side clamping method to date.

The clamping slats are a bit rough. Maybe I'll make some nicer ones.

This little piccolo is coming along nicely. I'm about to carve the neck now.

New stuff started

I will build some piccolos this spring. I can't seem to keep up with the demand, I decided a while back to say no to any inquiries, but people are so goddamn nice. So just a few more. Like ten.

But I'll sort a couple of koa sopranos as well. And maybe the resos, if only I could get those metal parts from England.

My koa prototype looks decent in the pic, but needs a partial refinish after a very ill adviced attempt at pore filling. I should just leave that to those who know their shit.

And one of the concerts is going out the door tomorrow! Bound for Lover's Lane (don't laugh).

Concerts done

What the... they're done! Strung up and labelled. And they've met their tiny ancestor. I have a fret to look at, and one of the pegs need some soap.

Before I send them I would like someone to play them for me. But soon they'll be on their way to Ben and Brian.