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Neck Angle on Uke
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Author:  James W B [ Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Neck Angle on Uke

I`m building a Tenor Uke for my grandaughter.Top has a 25 ft radius.On a guitar I like to see an un-fretted board just touch or clear the bridge by a whisker.Setting my Woolson jig to .090 gets me real close, and alows me to get the action I`m looking for at about .0940 at the 12th.Not sure what I need to do on a Uke?
James

Author:  saltytri [ Sat Mar 30, 2013 5:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck Angle on Uke

1. Fret the board
2. Lay a 1/8" drill bit at the 14th fret
3. Set a straightedge on the 1st fret and the drill bit
4. The straightedge should then rest on the top of the saddle

This should give you action at the 12th fret that is close to your goal.

My ukes are also built with a 25' top radius. In order to get the board to lay flat on the top to the soundhole, I find it necessary to begin the radius at the soundhole. The rim is sanded to radius only below the soundhole. The rim of the upper bout is flat and the upper bout is perpendicular to the surface of the body where the heel of the neck mates. The brace that is just above the soundhole is flat. The angle between the fretboard and the heel of the neck turns out to be very close to perpendicular but heel usually requires a bit of adjustment to get the board to lie straight and flat on the top.

Hope this helps!

Author:  James W B [ Sat Mar 30, 2013 7:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck Angle on Uke

Thanks David.I also flatten the uper bout.I had to cut the heel about 1/2 degree out of square to get the fretboard to lay flat.This should get me pretty close.
James

Author:  saltytri [ Sat Mar 30, 2013 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck Angle on Uke

Yep, that's about right.

Your granddaughter is a lucky girl!

Author:  Quine [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck Angle on Uke

I do about 0.5 - 1degree neck angle on my ukes and flatten the upper bought like building a guitar. It really depends on the bridge geometry though. My method is to dry-fit the top and tape it in place. Then lay the fingerboard on it and check the height at the bridge position with a ruler. You can adjust the rim and neck angle if needed.

Author:  Bryan Bear [ Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck Angle on Uke

Not to hijack this thread (this is kinda' related), what kind of action do you guys like to see at the 14th fret? The 1/8 inch drill bit suggestion makes me think it should be around whatever 1/8 inch minus fret height works out to be. Thoughts?

Author:  Quine [ Tue Apr 02, 2013 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck Angle on Uke

I set mine to about 0.09" at the 12th fret...from the fret to the string. 0.015" at the 1st. I think that's on the low side of average for ukes.

Author:  Bryan Bear [ Tue Apr 02, 2013 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck Angle on Uke

Quine wrote:
I set mine to about 0.09" at the 12th fret...from the fret to the string. 0.015" at the 1st. I think that's on the low side of average for ukes.


Thanks! BTW, I haven't forgotten that I borrowed your plans. . .

Author:  Quine [ Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Neck Angle on Uke

Bryan Bear wrote:
Quine wrote:
I set mine to about 0.09" at the 12th fret...from the fret to the string. 0.015" at the 1st. I think that's on the low side of average for ukes.


Thanks! BTW, I haven't forgotten that I borrowed your plans. . .


No prob. Looks like spring is finally here so I'll be spending my time fighting with my lawn gaah

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