First Ukulele

[jonfdavis1]

I just strung up my first ukulele ( second solo build).  I followed Jay Lichty's course combined with Kent Everett's arm bevel course and Robbie's French polish process.

The back, sides, rosette and head stock are black walnut from my family farm that was cut down 100 years ago.  I had a lot of challenges and emails to Robbie trying to bend it.  Finally just bent it by hand on a iron.

Overall I am very happy with it, learned a ton, expanded my curse word vocabulary and noted several techniques I need to work on to make the next one better.

Happy Building!

Jon

[Ted Dodds]

Jon,  From one novice builder to another, I offer my sincere congratulations - this is a beautiful instrument! A great piece of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Gee, if that's just your second build I can only imagine what will emerge from your workshop in the years to come.

My third build, recently completed, also used walnut b/s from the family farm of a friend who swapped me a couple of boards for some curly maple. We were both happy. I think it adds an important dimension when one can use heritage - as in family heritage - materials on a project. 

Well done! ...Ted

[Barry Oren]

Really well done!

In His Name -

Barry 

On Sep 12, 2025, at 3:34 PM, jonfdavis1 <jonfd...@gmail.com> wrote:

I just strung up my first ukulele ( second solo build).  I followed Jay Lichty's course combined with Kent Everett's arm bevel course and Robbie's French polish process.

The back, sides, rosette and head stock are black walnut from my family farm that was cut down 100 years ago.  I had a lot of challenges and emails to Robbie trying to bend it.  Finally just bent it by hand on a iron.

Overall I am very happy with it, learned a ton, expanded my curse word vocabulary and noted several techniques I need to work on to make the next one better.

Happy Building!

Jon

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[Jon Davis]

Thank you Ted!   Yes, I agree that when you can do a project that has some history or connection, it makes it extra special.  I have quite a bit of the black walnut left so I plan on using it in many future projects.

Would love to see some pictures of your recent walnut project.

Jon

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[Dick Fulco]

Really nice Jon!

Met vriendelijke groet, Dick

Op za 13 sep 2025 om 13:32 schreef Jon Davis <jonfd...@gmail.com>

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[Adan Akerman]

That's gorgeous, Jon! Great job. Which tuners did you select to substitute for the sadly-discontinued Stealth ones Jay specified? They look very nice. 

Adan

[Jon Davis]

Thanks Adam.  The turners are Rubner.  I bought on their site a while ago.  Pricey but nice.

https://www.rubnertuners.com/ukulele-machines

Jon

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[Joe Shuter]

Rubner tuners are great. Rolo turned me onto them years ago for all my slot head ukuleles. They aren't cheap but they are not expensive compared to other high end tuners. Rubners are high quality . I am currently working on a tenor, cutaway.Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Adirondack red spruce top, Santos Mahogany neck. K and K Aloha mini pickups. Macassor ebony fretboard, Gold EVO fret wire, with a Macassor ebony bridge. 

I am building this ukulele with Rolo. Rolo built the neck, bound fretboard, top, with a classical rosette. I widened the back plate with a Brazilian Rosewood stripe, installed the EVO gold fret wire, made the bridge, installed the K and K pickups. I am doing all of the assembly with the parts. Today, if I am blessed I will close the box. It has been a process getting the build  to this point,  but it has been gratifying working with Rolo! Scooter 

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[Adan Akerman]

Very nice - thanks, Jon. I'm building a baritone ukulele for my dad and they have an "affordable" (for them) set with rosewood buttons that should be an appropriately fancy choice for his new axe.

That sounds like an awesome build, Scooter!

Adan

[jonfdavis1]

Ted - Yes, I had seen your prior post. Beautiful work. 

I am also building for my grandkids (age 2 and 4) so they are also not quite ready. To give them something they could play with now, built a couple of “stick” guitars they can play with. Picture attached. 

I plan on building small scale guitars for both of them. I could not get my kids to play. Hope I have better luck with the grandkids!