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 Post subject: Loosening a tenor top
PostPosted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:46 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Hello,

Looking for some guidance from the experts. :)

I just closed the box on a tenor uke. Tapping the plate beforehand it sounded good, but now that the box it closed it sounds very tight.

I let the two horizontal braces into the lining, solid lining made of paulownia. The fans taper to nothing. I put a 2mm spruce bridge plate in it.

With a guitar I would be reaching in there and solving the problem. That ain’t happening with a uke soundhole. :)

Anyone have creative ideas what to do? I’ll sand the lower bout around the rim to try to loosen it. Any other thoughts? Maybe lighter bridge or heavier bridge?

Brad


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 11:02 am 
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Whats the top thickness?

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These users thanked the author dofthesea for the post: bcombs510 (Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:12 pm)
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:14 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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dofthesea wrote:
Whats the top thickness?


It’s right at 2mm now. I haven’t gotten back to it yet to try to thin around the the rim.

One thing I did differently this time is I put somewhat wide 2mm spruce bridge patch on it. TBH, I don’t know why I made it so wide:

Image

Brad


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:16 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Note: The braces we’re tapered and re-peaked after this pic, they are tapered 3-4 mm shorter at the scalloped end and peaked again.


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:30 pm 
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Is there a binding on it? Fretboard? Taking the top off isn't too big of a deal. especially if you're going to put binding on later.

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PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:53 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Just closed the box, no binding or even binding channels cut yet.

I’m may end up taking the top off. Going to sand a bit and see if it somehow works a miracle. :)


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:28 am 
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Koa
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If you have the Hana Lima book, sanding the outer inch and a half should loosen up the top. This is most effective around the lower bout. You may find something on the
Hana Lima website.

Unkabob



These users thanked the author unkabob for the post: bcombs510 (Thu Mar 19, 2020 11:18 am)
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:43 am 
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Can you give us a picture of the edge profile of top?

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These users thanked the author dofthesea for the post: bcombs510 (Fri Apr 17, 2020 11:14 am)
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 11:14 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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dofthesea wrote:
Can you give us a picture of the edge profile of top?


Crud, I just saw this and I’ve already put binding on. It’s actually almost done, so we will find out soon how much I helped. ;)

Brad


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