Myrtle and Black Walnut Ukulele

One of my favorite ukulele woods is Black Walnut.  This particular set of wood is from Oregon and is a variation or hybrid of the standard.  This variation is a lower density wood than Claro Walnut.  For a sound board, I have paired the black walnut with a blond, curly Oregon Myrtle.  This is the Myrtle and Black Walnut Ukulele–a standard tenor.

I’m trying to find acceptable alternatives for neck wood.  Here I am using domestic black walnut with a blond myrtle stringer.  Presently, black walnut is readily available and of moderate price.  I’ts a bit harder to shape than Honduran mahogany and just a touch heavier but not enough to be really noticeable.  Black Walnut–check!

Accent woods are Asian Satin Wood burl–a perfect match with the black walnut.  Otherwise, I kept it simple with just a blue abalone rosette and red/black fiber accents.

The walnut is a lower density than the myrtle.  Sound-wise the myrtle compares with Hawaiian koa.  The combination is definitely easy to listen to with good low ends and bright trebles without sounding thin.

A Myrtle and Black Walnut Ukulele is always a fave in my book.  Oh, this instrument will probably be available at Hale Ukulele soon.