Shark Inlay Custom Tenor Ukulele

The shark is back!  My somewhat whimsical Shark Inlay has been revitalized on this new Tenor Ukulele.  I wanted to try something different and felt it might go well  with this chocolate heart myrtle wood from Oregon.  The Shark Inlay is made from Black Mother-of-pearl Shell and as the light hits it from different angles it changes color pretty dramatically.

I also added the Petroglyph Laser Cut to the back of the instrument.  I have other back strip laser cuts in the works but this has become somewhat of a standard for me when the center of the back is light enough to display this accent.  The laser cut is back filled with clear epoxy before being jointed to the sides of the instrument.  This allows for a flush, smooth finish.

Each set of this Chocolate Heart Myrtle has been completely different:  some with “feathers” like on the top of this instrument, some with more grey and brown, while others display more maroon colors. It makes building with this wood a lot more fun for sure.  Also of note is the almost perfect quarter cut of this set.

The binding is India Rosewood.  The subtle red/brown colors of this wood really complement this look in Myrtle.  I added a greenish Paua Abalone purfling and soundhole accent.  The accent wood is Vanuatu Maidou Burl.   The neck is Honduran Mahogany with the standard carbon fiber truss rod.  I also used Macassar Ebony for the finger board and bridge.

This particular set of wood was a little more dense than some of the Myrtles that I have been using of late and this translated into brighter tonal qualities.  I used the standard GHS flourocarbon strings with a larger diameter low “G”.  GHS is kind enough to make these custom string sets for my instruments.

This instrument can be played at Hale Ukulele in San Diego.  Hale Ukulele is has over 125 ukuleles in stock at any one time with Brands like Kanilea, Kamaka,  O’Iwi, Ray Repozo, Romero Creations and Pono.  It’s a great place to go and really compare some of the different makers and the voices of their instruments.  A must ukulele stop if you are in San Diego.