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

Maple And Koa Custom Ukulele
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Maple And Koa Custom Ukulele - For Sale $1650

This is a Maple And Koa Custom Ukulele.  A super tenor shape. It's All About The Woods Body:  a combination of Curly Big Leaf Maple and Curly Koa.  I liked the last combo of Koa and Walnut so much that I decided to do it again with…
Double Puka Super Tenor Ukulele

Double Puka Super Tenor Ukulele - Sold

I believe this is the first Double Puka Super Tenor Ukulele that I have made.  Usually I do this on the standard tenor shape. It's All About The Woods Body:  all curly Koa. Binding: curly Koa  with blue/black purfling.  Rosettes…
Lace Redwood And Maple Tenor Ukulele

Lace Redwood and Maple Tenor Ukulele - Sold

Here's one for the books.  This is a PNW special--a Lace Redwood and Maple Tenor Ukulele. It's All About The Woods Body:  fiddleback curl Big Leaf Maple.  Some of my private stock. Sound Board:  well I might have gone over with…
Koa And Swiss Custom Ukulele

Koa And Swiss Custom Ukulele - Sold

The latest out the door is this Koa And Swiss Custom Ukulele.  This is the second to last "custom" instrument--maybe.  I am definitely favoring simple looks in my builds at the present.  These instruments are built to be played as much as…

Ukuleles For Sale

Maple And Koa Custom Ukulele
,

Maple And Koa Custom Ukulele - For Sale $1650

This is a Maple And Koa Custom Ukulele.  A super tenor shape. It's All About The Woods Body:  a combination of Curly Big Leaf Maple and Curly Koa.  I liked the last combo of Koa and Walnut so much that I decided to do it again with…
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