Plumeria Inlay and Koa Tenor Ukulele

Here’s a look at some of my collection of alternative cur/figuredl Koa.  I’m calling this the Plumeria Inlay and Koa Tenor Ukulele.  This instrument can be seen and played at Hale Ukulele in San Diego.

I’m still finding looks of Koa wood that I have never seen before.  This particular koa is salvage old growth material and is, most likely, stump material.  It can be a little difficult to work with because it sometimes has been severly weathered.  Nevertheless, it makes for a beautiful looking and beautiful sounding instrument.  This particular set of wood is darker than most with a sort of  “plum pudding”  type of figure.

 

I’ve been tyring to add some subtle inlay work on stock instruments to add to that Aloha feel and look without becoming the focal point of the instrument and the plumeria flower inlay of white mother-of-pearl on the tongue of the finger board is just one example that you will see in the future. My focus is still wood and sound, but a little subtle bling doesn’t hurt.

Other than  the plumeria inlay, the build is standard with solid Honduran mahogany neck, India rosewood binding with green/black fiber accent, blue paua abalone rosette, Gotoh gold UPT tuners, Ebony species finger board and bridge, gold frets and Asian Afzalia burl accents.

You’ll see more variety Koa looks in the future.