Paua Moon Tenor Pineapple Ukulele

This is one of the last of a series of pineapple ukulele that I have made for Hale Ukulele in San Diego–at least for the present.  I just delivered this instrument today.  Because of the beautiful Paua Moon inlay on the head stock, I’m calling this one the Paua Moon Tenor Pineapple Ukulele.

I mated a heavy curl, unmatched orphan Koa top to a back and side set with very similar color to come up with a pleasing combination of Koa woods.  I especially like the sap wood on the back and sides of this instrument.

The neck is Honduran Mahogany with carbon fiber truss rod.  I’m so fortunate to have a supplier of carbon fiber that really fills my specs for this job.  If you are watching the America’s Cup Trials you should note that the material used in my necks is exactly the same used for the sail battens in these spectacular, fast sailing catamarans.  Nothing but the best!  This carbon fiber is extremely lite with a high fiber and low resin content and a very high modulus of elasticity.  The tap tone of the material is exceptional, and since the truss rod occupies at least one third of the total volume of the finished neck the tonal qualitiy of the material can’t help but add to the sound of the finished instrument.

The binding is India Rosewood with Sea Green and Black fiber accents.  The rosette is Paua Abalone.  The accent wood is Asian Satin Wood Burl–my new fave.  Of course the head stock inlay is Paua Abalone with palm tree silhouette.

This particular instrument is still going thru some changes.  I like the body shape and size, so no more changes there.  I made the last tenor pineapple with a 15 fret-to-the-body neck but I changed back to 14 on this instrument to see if I could hear any change in tone.  I believe the instruments are so close in sound, that I’m not sure it makes a difference.

Overall fun and fun!  Go Team Oracle!