Big Island Ukulele Guild
Minutes from 06/09/2018
Aloha guild members. Twenty members ventured to Neil Scott’s The Makery in Hilo for our latest meeting.
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President Dave Stokes spoke of the upcoming Wailoa Arts guild show in October and proposed that to avoid previous year’s damage to instruments, Doug Powdrell will lead a small group as they install the hangers a day early and hang the instruments the following day. Dave reported that we currently have only 30 instruments for the show and suggested that members consider displaying a collection of their instruments.
Tad Humble will lead a guild members’ kanikapila for the show’s opening night and we’re looking for volunteers to play.
Tom Russell offered to provide his Kona-side shop for the next meeting on September 8th. Stay tuned for details, but it will be the final gathering before the Wailoa show, so please try to attend. Treasurer Tom also reported that our membership is down a bit at 48 members, but we have a healthy $4400-4500 in the bank. If you are a paid-up member and lack one of our new wood name tags, get in contact with Tom via the BIUG website link.
Dave reported that we have no update on a possible affliation with the Ukulele Guild of Hawaii.
During show and tell, Dave used a clever variation on Bob Gleason’s headstock inlay method. Instead of drawing an original design, Dave bought art supply dolphin stickers, used CA glue to attach them to pearl and then continued with Bob’s technique of using a jeweler’s saw to cut through both the pearl and the headstock veneer. He removed the stickers with acetone.
Gary Cassel showed off a smart-looking sports shirt with the guild logo stitched on it by Quality Image Embroidery, 74-5563 Kaiwi St #38, Kailua-Kona. The shop is near Umekes Fishmarket Bar and Grill. 808-731-5534. Email: Qimagesembroidery808@gmail.com. The company provides inexpensive shirts and hats, but will embroidery our guild logo on anything you bring to them.
Doug Powdrell offered up an ukulele with a reworked neck shape and has been experimenting with body depths. He also added a transducer to his tenor ukulele. – a piezometer with jack that connects to the underside of the soundboard for $9.95 and free shipping from eBay.
Barbara Bach brought to the meeting her latest ukulele displaying some beautiful headstock marquetry.
Dave Stokes spoke about the problems he encountered after shipping a mango wood ukulele to the drier, colder mainland where it fell apart after the owner failed to keep it humidified. His suggestion was to be careful about selling or sending instruments to the mainland.
Following lunch Neil Scott spoke passionately about his work with disabled young people and proposed involving the guild in mentoring apprentices.
As a finale, attending members toured his backshop and gallery, viewing The Makery’s CNC router, 3D printer and laser systems that help mass-produce many of his products, including ukulele and steel guitars, and create The Makery’s diverse collection on display in its gallery. The Makery’s techniques sparked some discussion among members about mass production versus hand-crafted.
As always, consider dropping a few lines to Chuck Bennett as he continues his medical treatment on O’ahu. You can reach him at charleswbennett@mac.com.
See you at Tom Russell’s on September 8th
Chris Stewart, BIUG Secretary