Official Luthiers Forum!

I have some exceptionally old and straight grained mahogany I'm planning to use for this project. Any problems that I need to be aware of when using a one piece top and back?

Only planning on a soprano sized piece so the overall size won't be too big. I'm kind of wanting to recreate the early ukulele look and feel, I know most of them are koa I just can't afford it and I need to use what I have on hand.

No problems at all. Ive used a bunch of one piece for Ukulele. Guitar is another debate haha

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/

The early Martin Style 0 ukes were one piece front and back, if that's a good enough recommendation.

No kidding. Thanks for the input

That is an excellent recommendation. Do you know if they used quarter or flat sawn? I honestly haven't had my hands on any Martins that were one piece

I've only built 3 Ukes but they are all one piece. Orphaned tops and backs, the last board cut on a billet and so on make great scraps for Ukes. Plus as a bonus you don't have to join a top or back.

I've got a 1950's Martin Soprano in the shop now for a crack repair, it's definitely QS mahogany. But as for mahogany, it's pretty stable and I would not worry too much about it flat sawn.

I've used 1 piece tops and backs for concert size ukes with no problem. One 8x22" guitar back plate is just big enough to cut the top and back for my concert size. I think it's important to have uniform grain pattern all the way across the top or back....Mahogany usually has that