Cedar and Sycamore Machete

[Tom Owen]

First post on the new forum... This is a machete, kind of after Dias, one of the first makers in Hawaii. Cedar top, sycamore back and sides, ebony fingerboard, bridge and headplate, peghed tuners, rope binding.

[Steve Senseney]

Interesting!

Could we get a closer look at the fingerboard and bridge?

Also, some dimensions?

[Michael A Shelley]

I like it a lot, but I'm a sucker for rope binding anyhow.

And now the questions - Did you make your own binding, and if so, were there any special tips of techniques you found useful?
What bracing pattern did you use?
How did you do your neck joint?

I build ukes when I can, which is not often enough, and really like the looks of the earlier instruments.

Thanks,
Michael A. Shelley

[Tom Owen]

Here are a couple of close-up shots. The rope binding on the bridge and fingerboard is store bought, the body rope I made. I glue it tile by tile, not really as hard as it may seem. Neck is cherry with a bolt on but joint.

[Tom Owen]

Construction shots...

[Tim Detzer]

Love it!

The sycamore looks beautiful.

[Steve Senseney]

I like the fingerboard treatment!!