The Baron’s soprano in for service

My friend Robin is off to the UWC in the States, so he wanted me to polish up his soprano that I built so many years ago. 

I checked the frets to make sure they were all level. There was one or two that needed attention but no big issues. 



I checked by letting my tiny square straddle three frets at a time. A high fret will cause the square to rock. 



Then I taped the fretboard and made sure all were crowned properly and polished them. 



After cleaning the fretboard thoroughly with some naphta and scrapers I oiled it with linseed oil and restrung it. It barks as it should, one size löuder!

Packed up for MUMF

I’m writing this on the train between Sweden and Denmark, the picture is from the other night when I packed eight or nine ukes in a borrowed suitcase. 

I’m on my way to Wales, if all connections work out. 

Yet another reso

Sorry for being absent! I have been travelling to benefit the Swedish state. But I’m back for a bit and needed to show you a few kitchen pics of my latest effort, the Argapa 107 soprano resonator. 

Hardware is from whatsitsname, in the US. Maybe Republic? I bought it long ago and can’t really remember. A good and reliable supplier, not like that wanker Colin who still owes me money for the cones he never shipped. 



The wood is ziricote, the neck is alder. It has the slight v-shape and knife marks, the way I like it. I’m finding it harder to enjoy those swooshy necks sanded to 12000 grit where the wood looks as if it was cast in a mould. But there might be laziness and denial involved, I’m no shrink. 



I got the ziricote from a dear friend in the UK, he’s a very talented builder and makes lovely instruments for lovely people. Check his blog out here:

https://boydellini.weebly.com/home.html