LUTHERIE

Step 2: Patterns

My next step was to create patterns for the body. Using a Hilo student soprano uke as a guide, I traced around the body with a pencil, and scanned this tracing into my computer. I opened the image in PhotoShop and cropped it so that the pencil line went to the very edges of the document. I then simply increased the dimensions of that document to the approximate size of a concert uke listed in the book Martin Guitars: An Illustrated Celebration of America's Premier Guitarmaker. The body dimensions are: lower bout width - 8", and body length - 10.7". This is roughly 20% larger than a soprano uke. the depth of the body will be increased correspondingly.

I then printed the outline onto three sheets of transparency film which I stacked and joined with double-sided tape. I carefully cut the template out with scissors, picked the side with the best cut, and divided the template along the centerline. This half-template will be used to trace the shape of the top and back onto my mahogony plates by tracing one side, flipping the template over and tracing the other, insuring that my sides are symmetrical. This template will also be used to create the side-bending mold later.

When tracing your template, remember that it doesn't have to be absolutely smooth and perfect. The fact is, that when you bend your sides, the wood will act as a batten, and will smooth out any minor flaws in your line.

Now it's time to cut out your top and back!