mango topped bass is nearly done.....

tuners in, raked back for speed!!



neck on and strung up





backplate



concentric volume (centre) and tone, the switch is a coil split.





still a lot of set up to do, and the screws holding the pick up in place need replaced as the heads were destroyed screwing them in, but I've been playing this and I'm very happy!!

Mango zouk progressing nicely.....

neck rough cut




neck/body join



neck joined and frets in....





and after some sanding a splash of finish...



that mango is LOVELY!!

Mango/cedar zouk.....

top on, maple binding fitted, sanded and a coat of lacquer to show up where needs sanded.....









the neck is made from two pieces of really pale mahogany, glued together for thickness, then cut out and a mango faceplate glued on, and truss rod slot cut





fretboard slotted and glued in place





the hardware is going onto the bass.......

and the neck is all sanded and a coat of lacquer on. I'll drill the holes for the tuners when they finally arrive!

bass body is sanded, and varnished. 6 coats on here......





bouzouki top (cedar) joined and mango rosette fitted....



and top bracing glued in place

So on my latest scrounging escapade I fell in with some mango.

Aparently its used a lot for Ukeleles, so some of it will find it's way into my instrument making......



so, to see what it's like to work with I cut some up, planed off the manky dark stain and made a little trinket box.....(with a cherry top and base)



I LIKE this wood!!

so, anyway, lets build a bouzouki......

sides bent....



back joined with a wide strip of ovangkohl up the middle....



linings on the rim and neck and tail blocks glued in...



and back braces glued on