Big Island Ukulele Guild
Minutes from 6/15/2019
Aloha guild members. Once we were all able to find it, eleven members and visitors collected at Dave Stokes’ Ocean View shop for our June 15th meeting.
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ISAAC'S UKULELE SHOW
President Carlos Newcomb addressed guild plans for a new 2019 exhibit location. At previous meetings, the consensus by vote was to no longer hold shows at the Wailoa Art Center. Issues raised regarding the Center show stressed that the one-month exhibit was too long, left our instruments exposed to the elements and will be harder to fill with instruments due to our now smaller membership.
He updated us on plans for our fall exhibit at the Isaacs Art Center in Waimea. According to Carlos, the Isaacs’ folks are enthusiastic about our show and would like to time it to the ‘Ukulele and Slack Key Festival this November at the nearby Kahilu Theatre. Our show would run for less than two weeks and the center will clear a wall for us to hang and safely display our instruments – new and old. In addition, we would include a table display of jigs and tools. Further discussions will include seeking volunteers to watch over the exhibit and answer any questions posed by visitors.
GENERAL CLUB INFO
Treasurer Tom Russell reported that we have $3735 in our account with 34 active members, down about 20 from years past, including less and less members from the Hilo side. Dave Stokes proposed contacting current and former Hilo-side – and members around the island - to check on their interest in continued involvement with the guild.
We are still seeking Hilo-side locations for meetings. Dave Stokes offered to pursue this. Carlos also reported that Codie at the Wailoa Center is offering us the downstairs room for meetings. Dave brought up the idea of a single day show for members in the same location. Another possibility would be to rent a space for meetings. Dave also suggested opening meetings with kanikapila.
Tom Russell felt the guild is about fellowship and that only four meetings a year aren’t enough. Terry Davis supported additional workshops between meetings, including discussions about a single task and how members deal with it. Roger Johnson offered that new members might have an idea that would benefit veterans. Dave Stokes offered his shop for future workshops. In the end, Tom mentioned his intention to continue the “open shop” days once a month and these probably fill the gap between our quarterly meetings
SHOW & TELL
Following lunch, the show and tell began with Tom Russell and his two latest ukes. One is a playful ‘space oddity’ ukulele with cosmic connections and his other instrument has an ocean theme.
Tom Parse joined us from Alaska via Carlos’ live video coverage and showed us one of his latest creations – a six-string kiku ukulele with a unique tuning. Would have loved to see and hear it in person!
Barbara Bach continues with her latest ukulele project - a mango and purpleheart creation – now including novel fret markers with purling wrapped around them. She also added quilted maple and paua shell flowers atop the koa headstock.
Chris showed off his first effort at making an offset rosette following Terry Davis’ demonstration at our March meeting. Terry had worked out how to make offset rosettes using the StewMac Precision Router Base and Soundhole and Rosette Routing Jig. Chris had some tear out in the soft spruce top and several suggestions were offered: use a downcut bit and strenthen the area to be routed with a coat of superglue or shellac.
Carlos offered up an original ukulele bass by North Kohala builder David Gomes, featuring a tenor body with an 18-inch scale. He also demonstrated his 15’ radius cutter jig that we may use again for guild members needing concave sanding boards.
Chris Stewart, BIUG secretary