Black and White Ebony Ukulele - Custom Build-Sold

Here’s a peek at the latest Black and White Ebony Ukulele.

Black and White Ebony Ukulele

Black and White Ebony Ukulele.

The Woods

Body:   Asian Black and White Ebony with India Rosewood laminate sides.  My client and provider of this wood requested laminate sides for this instrument.   “Laminate” might be considered a bad word by some but if you want strength and stability then lamination is the way to go.  There are a few very high-end guitar builders that only construct with laminate sides and some are experimenting with laminate tops and backs as well to improve performance.   Personally, I think it’s a bit overkill  for the ukulele.  I do think the lamination process might be appropriate for some or the most wildly figured and unstable woods.

Black and White Ebony Ukulele.

Asian Black and White Ebony back and sides.

Sound Board:  bearclaw Swiss Moon Spruce.  Bracing is Adirondak Spruce.  Black and white ebony rosette.

Black and White Ebony Ukulele

Bearclaw Swiss Moon Spruce.,

Neck:  Curly Western Maple with carbon tone bar.  I don’t like to stain wood (black ) so I went natural here.  Sanded finish.

Black and White Ebony Ukulele

Curly western maple neck.

Accent woodsBlack and White Ebony.

Black and White Ebony Ukulele

Black and white ebony accents.

Finger Board and BridgeAfrican Ebony.  Originally, I considered black and white ebony but thought that might have been a touch overkill.

The Rest of the Build

Binding and PurflingEbonite with Maple/black fiber.

Nut and Saddledeer antler.  This material is a bit more dense than my usual unbleached bone and probably adds a touch to the brightness of this instrument.

Strings:  Pepe Romero flourocarbon with wound low “G”.

TunersGotoh UPT in black.

CaseCrossrock fiberglass.

And

Very bright and precise.  I would expect this result with the hard and reflective interior surfaces.  The use of Swiss Spruce might have even cooled it off a bit.  It’s a touch heavier than my standard builds with the double sides, maple neck and dense ebony wood although that doesn’t seem to be an issue when playing.  Not only does a Black and White Ukulele look good but sounds good as well.