AHG (and sometimes U)

[chazmo]

Good luck finding anything with a manual gearbox these days in the states. Can't even get a 3 series BMW or a VW GTI like that anymore, and it's ridiculous. Almost everything left is a two seater.

That's because you're speaking German, Sandy. They've lost touch with the enthusiasts. The land of the rising sun is having a resurgence of manuals.

I simply won't buy a car without a manual. As much as I covet the F-type Jag (convertible version, anyway) it'll never be in my driveway.

 

[twocorgis]

That's because you're speaking German, Sandy. They've lost touch with the enthusiasts. The land of the rising sun is having a resurgence of manuals.

I simply won't buy a car without a manual. As much as I covet the F-type Jag (convertible version, anyway) it'll never be in my driveway.

My problem is that I just can't warm up to Asian cars, at least the ones you can still get with manuals. I've tried both the Subaru WRX (OK), and STi (couldn't stand it), along with the Civic Si and R (kinda ditto to the Subie), and realized that all four of them are just not for me. There's something that just leaves me cold about them, and most of it is in the interior.

There was one model year and a half of the latest Mark VIII GTI available with a manual, so I might aim for one of them when the time comes to replace the 535i.

 

[James Hart]

What is the scale length of the Uke? how many fret neck?

 

[AcornHouse]

What is the scale length of the Uke? how many fret neck?

13-1/2" scale. Not sure on the number of frets yet, I'll have to measure and calculate.

 

[AcornHouse]

13-1/2" scale. Not sure on the number of frets yet, I'll have to measure and calculate.

Probably 17.

 

[GAD]

My problem is that I just can't warm up to Asian cars, at least the ones you can still get with manuals. I've tried both the Subaru WRX (OK), and STi (couldn't stand it), along with the Civic Si and R (kinda ditto to the Subie), and realized that all four of them are just not for me. There's something that just leaves me cold about them, and most of it is in the interior.

There was one model year and a half of the latest Mark VIII GTI available with a manual, so I might aim for one of them when the time comes to replace the 535i.

I used to have a Civic Si and it was a fun car but it's not in the same realm as your BMW. Chazmo's car IIRC is or was an S2000 and those were a ball to drive. A bit on the small side, but there was nothing like them when they were out.

I used to drive a '78 280Z (I actually had two of them over the years) and that was a lot of fun, too. Today I'm lucky enough to drive an Audi and the sense of refinement is something I've not felt in a Japanese car. I had an Acura TL before this care and it was nice, too, but the Audi/BMW/etc. is just on another level. The maintenance costs are, too.

The move to paddle shifters in most sports cars has cured me of wanting one because they make me feel like I'm playing a video game instead of driving a car. Speaking of video games, if you ever get a chance to play Grand Turismo 7 in Playstation VR on a Playstation 5, do it. It's crazy cool.

 

[GAD]

Sigh - and now I've contributed to the annoying trend of all threads turning into car threads.

 

[GGJaguar]

Sigh - and now I've contributed to the annoying trend of all threads turning into car threads.

 

[chazmo]

Chazmo's car IIRC is or was an S2000 and those were a ball to drive

Correct. 2002 - 2017 I drove it before giving it to my son.

My current Miata and WRX are both manuals, by the way.

 

[AcornHouse]

Not to veer, but the neck and heel blocks are on, joining the two sides together. I need to do a little shaping on the neck block but it's a lot easier to clamp flat surfaces and then shape, rather than shape first.
A lot of builders have been advocating plywood heel blocks for extra strength in case of a heel impact. I thought I'd give it a try here. Lighter too.

 

[AcornHouse]

One of the nice things about an instrument this small, is that I can use up some of the partial strips of kerfing that were left over from previous builds. Especially the smaller sized ones that I don't like to use in larger instruments.

 

[GGJaguar]

It's taking shape nicely!

 

[GAD]

Either those are really big clothespins or that's one tiny uke!

 

[AcornHouse]

Either those are really big clothespins or that's one tiny uke!

Soprano.

 

[Default]

Calling this one "Tony" in my minds eye

 

[AcornHouse]

Calling this one "Tony" in my minds eye

Thinking maybe 'ula'ula.

 

[AcornHouse]

Getting the kerfing, blocks, and sides flattened to get ready to glue the soundboard. Because of the (ridiculous?) small size of the uke, there's no real need to put any arching into the top so flat is good.

 

[AcornHouse]

As I was getting the top fitted, about to notch the kerfing for the transverse braces, I had an epiphany. Before calling the Doctor I came to the realization that I didn't need to notch them at all, I could just get rid of them all together! I intend to add buttresses after the top is glued on anyway, providing solid anchors to the braces, so there's no need for any kerfing there, the buttresses will be occupying that space.
No need to worry about getting the pockets too deep or, much worse, not deep enough.

 

[GGJaguar]

so flat is good.

And easy. Easy is good.

 

[Stuball48]

As I was getting the top fitted, about to notch the kerfing for the transverse braces, I had an epiphany. Before calling the Doctor I came to the realization that I didn't need to notch them at all, I could just get rid of them all together! I intend to add buttresses after the top is glued on anyway, providing solid anchors to the braces, so there's no need for any kerfing there, the buttresses will be occupying that space.
No need to worry about getting the pockets too deep or, much worse, not deep enough.

Looking good Chris.