trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

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Ron Daves
Posts: 182
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:39 pm
Location: Southern California Desert

trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Ron Daves »

A widow friend brought a cracked fender uke to me the other day. She had it stored up high where the desert heat got to it and it cracked. Then, she dropped it. So the back is trashed and needs replacing. This uke is solid Koa and I'd like to put on a new Koa back but don't need a kit, just a piece of Koa. Anybody know where I might find this. As an alternative, what might be a substitute?
Frustrated luthier wanna-be
Nick Dingle
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:13 am

Re: trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Nick Dingle »

Don't know the name of the guy in Hawaii offhand. If you can't find the Koa, Australian Blackwood is it's cousin. Don't know if that'll be any easier in the US.....
Chris Vallillo
Posts: 124
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:52 pm
Location: Illinois

Re: trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Chris Vallillo »

You can almost always find Koa on Ebay, especially Uke size. I've had good luck being tone woods that way.
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Mark Swanson
Posts: 1991
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:11 am
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
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Re: trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Mark Swanson »

Ebay is good, the guy in the islands is Bob Gleason of Pegasus guitars.
Hey Chris, what does it feel like to be a piece of koa? :lol:
  • Mark Swanson, guitarist, MIMForum Staff
Ron Daves
Posts: 182
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:39 pm
Location: Southern California Desert

Re: trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Ron Daves »

Did some research and found out that this uke is made of solid mahogany. I've never seen Koa, so just assumed that was what this uke was made of. My wife looked at it and said "it's mahogany". She learned this from me. So the question is: Where to find just enough mahogany to replace the back of this uke.
Frustrated luthier wanna-be
Greg Steil
Posts: 158
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:54 pm

Re: trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Greg Steil »

If you would message me the size, I would be happy to give you a Mahogany Uke back. I'm sure I have some laying around. Is it a Soprano? I'll include some braces too.
Ron Daves
Posts: 182
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:39 pm
Location: Southern California Desert

Re: trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Ron Daves »

Greg: Thank you. I found a back and have brace material. Again, Thank you.

Question on project: Where can I find mahogany stain? StewMac & LMI have it at reasonable cost, but shipping is more than the cost of the dye. Any ideas on how I can match the color?
Frustrated luthier wanna-be
Michael Lewis
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Location: Northern California USA
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Re: trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Michael Lewis »

Mahogany stain available at your local hardware store. Minwax brand is good, as are others. It is a "oil stain" so it must be allowed to dry thoroughly for a few days before applying lacquer or varnish. Just read the instructions.
Ron Daves
Posts: 182
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:39 pm
Location: Southern California Desert

Re: trying to fix fender Uke that dried out and cracked

Post by Ron Daves »

Thank you. I'll get some the next time I'm at the hardware store.
Frustrated luthier wanna-be
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