Kimo Custom Ukuleles

I lost part of my heart to the sea and to Hawaii when I first tried surfing at age 13 in Waikiki. It was only a matter of time before I discovered the musical beauty of the Hawaiian culture including slack-key guitar and ukulele. I have always enjoyed designing and building for my personal use–the guitar and ukulele being no exception.

In 1999, I made the decision to initiate this process and was fortunate to enlist the help of master luthier John Greven. I was thrilled with the instruments I was able to make and intrigued with the process of construction and the design possibilities.

The journey is far from complete since the variables seem limitless. My focus is to produce distinctive, custom ukuleles that are not only pleasing to the ear but emphasize the natural beauty of the woods of the world that I use in construction and to promote that ukulele “fun factor”.

To that endeavor, most of my builds have simple embellishments that will not detract from this natural beauty. My Aloha is in the hand crafting of each custom ukulele.

The tone is SO GREAT I’m loving it.  Your craftsmanship is perfection…

I just wanted to thank you again for the amazing uke.

The new uke is absolutely gorgeous!

This is a stunning instrument.

I love my new uke. . .it sounds delightful.

Thank you for making such gorgeous instruments!

…what a wonderful job you did on my ukulele.

I love my ukulele—it’s gorgeous!!!

…it has given me more joy than any other instrument I have previously owned. I am totally thrilled with this ukulele’s playability and sound.

People around me played it and commented on how easy it was to play, that their fingers just seemed to be guided to their proper place.

…simply exquisite from the woods to the finely crafted details to the superb sound.  We are happy to join the Kimo family.

…I was hooked…incredible warmth and voice.

…at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I knew I could count on my trusty Kimo ukulele.

It has brought me joy every day.

Thank you for building me a great Ukulele.  As for the woods, WOW!

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Kimo’s Philosophy

My mission is to produce distinctive instruments that are not only pleasing to the ear but emphasize the natural beauty of the woods used in construction, and to promote that ukulele “fun factor”.

Latest News

Double Puka Koa Ukulele

Double Puka Koa Ukulele - Sold

This is a new Double Puka Koa Ukulele.  This is a standard shape and there is no side port.  The double puka, in my opinion, screams Hawaiian. It's All About The Wood Body:  Figured Koa.  This set was provided by the client.  I wish…
Honduran Rosewood Baritone Ukulele

Honduran Rosewood Baritone Ukulele - Sold

I've named this one the Honduran Rosewood Baritone Ukulele because it's got Honduran Rosewood everywhere.  This is another of my builds focusing on a specific wood.  This is a Big Baritone shape.  A Honduran Rosewood Tenor Guitar? It's…
Newest Custom Tenor Ukulele

Newest Custom Tenor Ukulele - Sold

Here's the Newest Custom Tenor Ukulele with "D" sound hole.  This is a standard tenor shape with venetian cut-a-way. It's All About The Wood Body:  Tasmanian Blackwood.  This sure looks a lot like Koa, doesn't it!.  I acquired this…
Custom Koa Baritone Ukulele

Custom Koa Baritone Ukulele - Sold

Here's a new Custom Koa Baritone Ukulele. It's All About The Wood Body:  Curly Koa.  This is a big baritone shape.  I still have my original smaller body baritone mold (just in case) but doubt I'll ever build one that size again. Sound…

Ukuleles For Sale

Curly Burly Tenor Ukuele
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Curly Burly Tenor Ukulele - For Sale $1650

Guess I'm not done with the burl thing yet.  Here's the latest, a  Curly Burly Tenor Ukulele.  This is a standard tenor. It's All About the Wood Body:  Asian Camphor Burl.  Now, I built one out of this wood maybe 2012 but wasn't a…
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