Fingerboard

I've finished all the staining, Frank pinstriped, and now I'm glueing the fingerboard back down to the neck. A little more touch up to the finish around the neck, and it'll be ready for re-assembly.

SJ Jazz Fest

Erik and Pat playing on two of my kits with Jazz Mofia's- Brass, Bows, and Beats at the San Jose Jazz Fest's Repertory Theater.

Pinstriping

Just got some awesome samples back from my buddy Frank. Can't wait to see what this Bass will look like finished...

Finishing

Dieing and finishing the bass, this is only the second coat on the back so far.

Finishing

first coat applied.

Bridge

now completed, the side rails have been attached. Next will be a layer of finish.

Headstock

It had been dropped at one time and the spiral head peace broke off. Here, I've just carved down the jagged piece and made a new spiral.

Bare Naked Bass

I've stripped off all the old finish and sanded away all the dents and scratches. Now it's ready for some new finish.

Sanding

Here, I've sanded most of the finish off.

Neck

I straightened/ leveled the neck.

Bass

fingerboard

Bass

Finger Board removed.

Bass Repair

My friend Clint brought his Bass by for repair.

Bridge

Bridge supports

These are the supports for the bridge. They're sitting upside down right now. I cut an arch into them and then rounded over the edges. Now they'll get coated with copper green.

Sent from my Nokia phone

Bridge

I notched the beams that will support the deck and set them into the railroad ties that flank the drainage canal.

Desk

Here's the final desk piece ready for install into the existing structure.

Desk Glue up

This is the front and top of a reception desk. It's been prefinished and is now glued and clamped.

Bridge

Workin' toward a new bridge...

Yay for a new assistant

This is Crystal, sanding away at cutting boards.

Cigar Boxes

Stopped at my local cigar shop and picked up more boxes. These are the same as the last one I got, but in different sizes.

Another delivery

Delivering the wine barrel to a trucking service in Salinas. it's now on it's way to Louisiana.

Shipping

Needed a big box to ship the wine barrel out. Here it is in a 3' box, ready for peanuts...

In place

Delivery

Crown

Crown molding installed.

Library shelves

New project

Got a great new gift from my local music store. Can't wait to fix it up and start playing:)

Face frames

Getting the frames ready for finish.

Library shelves

3 large cabinets as library shelves.

Bracing

Here's the inside of the Kalimba. I had to add extra support under the sound board to stop some of the feedback. It ended up adding more definition to each note, as well as projection. It also stopped the feedback issue. It's readdy to secure the back, and give it a final tuning.

Electric kalimba

I just made this electric kalimba from a cigar box, an old rake, and some parts from radio shack. It's an alto in g major.

Clinic

Kevin playing with the Lee Pardini trio in clinic, on my bop kit.

Finished

Unfortunately for me, this is where I have to stop work. Someone else gets to have the fun of finishing up this instrument.

New Neck

Well, here's the second try. This one came out really nice. And, it went pretty quick too.

F@CK...!

Routers happen... The bit grabbed and ate the end of the neck :( this was one of the last cuts... Now I've got to start all over on the neck. Damn...!

Taking shape

Here's the neck as it's taking shape.

Fret slots

fingerboard slotted for frets.

Dry fit

The fretboard is glued, neck joint dry fit, and headstock cut down. Nest will be frets and shaping.

Dry fit

the neck is dry fit, and still needs to be shaped, but this is a good look at what is to come.

Neck joint

Maple neck tenon cut and dry fit.

Neck mortise

Just cut the neck mortise after flush trimming the soundboard. That's the neck and the fretboard sitting to the left.

Glue up

Gluing the soundboard to the body.

I love this machine...!

I did a ton of work today and rented this mini skid loader to do it. I love this thing. I want one for myself. It's really handy. I got all the dirt around the patio leveled, the walk way excavated, and the base laid. Then I spread compost, and did up a few odd jobs, all within 8 hours.

Bracing

Soundboard

This is the soundboard after gluing, sanding, and cutting it down. The bracing is made of cedar as well as the top. The X is joined by a bridal joint.

Soundboard

This is the cedar top for the mandolin. It's bookmatched and glued.
Todd Plummer