Griffin Ukuleles
183 FOLLOWERS
Griffin Ukuleles is really a one man band. Just one old guy who loves woodworking and discovered the joy of the ukulele pretty late in life. A few years back I discovered the ukulele and my fascination and obsession began. After I had made a few, and joined the local ukulele society B.U.G. (Bellingham Ukulele Group). Building ukuleles is a labor of love for me.
Griffin Ukuleles
2d ago
This Kasha Tenor is my 224th ukulele, a pretty one I think
The sound board is Englemann Spruce, the body Brazilian Tigerwood and the neck Alaska Cedar
It will be listed for sale on my web site after I have enjoyed it for a bit ..read more
Griffin Ukuleles
5d ago
#226 is now ready for its finish, French Polish.
The first coating just got applied this afternoon.
It sure brings out the beauty of this Machiche wood
and the peg head plate ..read more
Griffin Ukuleles
1w ago
Notice the horizontal white lines on this excellent piece of Englemann Spruce. They are medullary rays and because they are perfectly horizontal they indicate that this ukulele soundboard is perfectly quartersoawn. Medullary rays distribute water and minerals from the center of the tree to the outer bark. In some woods they are quite prominent and add beauty and interest to the finished instrument. This lovely Spruce was perfectly cut at Pacific Rim Tonewoods ..read more
Griffin Ukuleles
1w ago
THIS PRETTY TENOR, #226 GOT ITS FRETBOARD TODAY
AND THIS SPALTED MAPLE WILL GRACE THE PEG HEAD ..read more
Griffin Ukuleles
1w ago
I set up the saw to cut fretboards and while I was at it. four different woods.
This requires a change of saw blade and other preparation, It pays to make more than one.
The wood is attached to the guide with tape and passed repeatedly through the saw blade advancing with each pass to the next indexing slot ..read more
Griffin Ukuleles
1w ago
My friend Ricardo Hernandez just returned to Bellingham for another summer of house painting. He lives in Paracho, the guitar capital of Mexico and he responded to my request for some Palo Escrito ukulele wood in grand fashion. Eight sets of this lovely wood . This will keep me busy ..read more
Griffin Ukuleles
1w ago
Attaching the neck to the soundboard determines the straightness of the instrument. It helps to have a long see-through ruler.
Get it straight and then drive brads through the plexiglass caul.
Now pull the brads and glue up the joining surfaces, the brads then re-enter their holes taking you back to straightness
Then clamp it tight until the glue sets-and the next step will be installing the sides ..read more
Griffin Ukuleles
1w ago
A good bend is most important in a successful build. This is a good one
The wood was dampened and, bent over the hot pipe, then placed in the mold to dry overnight.
The braces are whittled and glued to the back secured in the Go-Bar
And the tone bars are shaped and glued to the sound board.
This ukulele, #226 is progressing well.  ..read more
Griffin Ukuleles
2w ago
Having fun using exotic wood species, This is Machiche
Paired with an Englemann Spruce sound board I think it will be a pretty ukulele
And I expect it to sound good also ..read more