Flamenco Ukulele - based on Barbero 1951

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Neal Carey
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Location: Woburn, Massachusetts
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Flamenco Ukulele - based on Barbero 1951

Post by Neal Carey »

I've been away for a while and just completed this flamenco style 'ukulele based on 1951 Barbero Flamenco, Ex Sabicas (plans from The Big Red Book, Vol. 5 or from GAL Plan). While not an exact copy (not a typical Spanish heel) I tried to stick to the design and look. It is strung up an a

Woods: Spanish Cedar neck, Ebony fingerboard, Spruce top, Ceylon Satinwood sides/back
Size: Tenor
Tuning: standard re-entrant G
OAL: 27"
Lower bout: 8.5"
Upper bout: 6.5"
Depth: 3.125"
Weight: 22 oz.
Bracing is copied from the Barbero plan

The bulk of the instrument was built in late 2012/early 2013, but hung uncompleted until 2014. I put the finish on several months and have just gotten to installing the bridge, pegs, saddle and nut this past week. It has a deep (for a 'ukulele), strong sound with good sustain. Overall I'm quite happy with it, not perfect, but each 'uke I build seems to get better.
Attachments
Side view, showing the Ceylon Satinwood
Side view, showing the Ceylon Satinwood
Back
Back
Bridge
Bridge
Showing the 'shiny' tap plates
Showing the 'shiny' tap plates
Headstock
Headstock
Last edited by Neal Carey on Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted." - John Lennon
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Neal Carey
Posts: 98
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:19 pm
Location: Woburn, Massachusetts
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Re: Flamenco Ukulele - based on Barbero 1951

Post by Neal Carey »

Somehow I missed posting the "Overview" picture!
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Overview picture of Flamenco 'ukulele
Overview picture of Flamenco 'ukulele
"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted." - John Lennon
Wayne Brown
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Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:46 pm
Location: Huntersville,NC

Re: Flamenco Ukulele - based on Barbero 1951

Post by Wayne Brown »

Ukulele Blanca! Ole!!
Patrick Hanna
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Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:49 am

Re: Flamenco Ukulele - based on Barbero 1951

Post by Patrick Hanna »

I'm late to this party, but I want to say that you've made a very cool and pretty tenor uke! Way to go!
Patrick
Clay Schaeffer
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Re: Flamenco Ukulele - based on Barbero 1951

Post by Clay Schaeffer »

It looks really nice. What is Barbero bracing when applied to a uke?
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Neal Carey
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Location: Woburn, Massachusetts
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Re: Flamenco Ukulele - based on Barbero 1951

Post by Neal Carey »

Thanks Patrick and Clay!

The bracing is the same as shown on the plan in the link above (GAL Plan). Pretty typical for a "classical" style guitar, but note the slanted brace just below the sound hole in the plan picture in the link. The braces are pretty light given that it is a 'ukulele. I tried to stick to the plan as much as possible, except for using a Spanish heel which would be pretty typical for Spanish classicals/flamencos.

Here's a picture in progress during brace shaving.
Attachments
Shaving the braces
Shaving the braces
"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted." - John Lennon
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