Twenty-three-year member David “Kawika” Hurd is a former oceanographer and a full-time ukulele and guitar maker. His website at www.ukuleles.com will be of interest to luthiers who wish to learn about applying of scientific and engineering design principles to lutherie.
bio current as of 2007
2007
AL#90 p.8 read this article
David Hurd
Hurd believes that the fastest way to great instruments is science, and it’s hard to argue with such a rational man. His jigs measure the deflection of top plates while under tension, and once he carves the top and braces to the numbers he wants he’s done. Period. Sort of makes intuition obsolete. This could also be math heavy if he didn’t offer an Internet spread sheet to ease the pain. With 7 photos and 7 figures/charts.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
2005
AL#83 p.58 BRB7 p.453
Eugene Clark David Hurd Jeffrey-R. Elliott
Canting the bass side of the fretboard on classical guitars and resulting saddle and string compensation.
1999
AL#59 p.63 BRB5 p.483 read this article
David Hurd
The reviewer finds that the expense and daunting technical nature of this two-volume set should not prevent individuals from acquiring them and wading in. He admonishes that one never knows what will come out of such reading, but that nothing will come of it if it isn’t attempted.
1999
AL#57 p.32 BRB5 p.310
David Hurd
Uke maker Hurd was once a research scientist, and intuitive instrument construction is not his bag. Using his formula luthiers can compare known wood species with unknowns and learn what to expect of the new ones. He also offers some top dimensions for instruments of the ukulele family. With 5 charts and much math.
1998
AL#56 p.44 BRB5 p.285
John Calkin David Hurd
David Hurd’s classical guitar drew accolades at the ’98 convention’s listening session, but he’s better known for his ukes and his info-jammed ukulele website. He’s also had the opportunity to build instruments from species of Hawaiian wood that most of us have never even heard of. Life is different in Hawaii. Still. With 3 photos.