Sugi Wood Tenor Ukulele - Sold
I’m always asked if I have a favorite wood. Not really, I’m still experimenting. But, here is an ukulele I would want in my collection. It is the Sugi Wood Tenor Ukulele.
Sugi Wood and Engelman spruce.
Let The Wood Speak For Itself
Body: Hawaiian Grown Japanese Sugi (Cryptomeria Japonica a member of the cedar family). This is my second instrument using this interesting wood, the first using it only as a sound board. The density is very low with a muted tap tone similar to mango. The grain in these sets is a little wild but oh so beautiful with lovely brown colors and see-through chatoyance.
Oh my, figured Sugi Wood.
Sound Board: Another first is my use of Engelman Spruce. I’ve had this billet of wood for many years but was never enthusiastic due to it’s wide grain. Well, that attitude has changed. I glued up a piece as an experiment and was very impressed with it’s tap tone and sustain. I wanted something that didn’t clash with the Sugi. It’s almost perfectly quartered and has great medulary ray patterning. Again, I have used a combination of Adirondack and Sitka spruces for bracing.
Engelman Spruce sound board.
Binding: Hawaiian curly Koa with black/maple purfling accents.
Accent Woods: Sugi.
Neck: Honduran Mahogany with carbon truss rod.
Fret Board and Bridge: radiused Brazilian Rosewood. It’s pretty, it’s tonally fantastic, it’s very old and it’s legal. Nice to have contacts not in low places. Expect to see more in future builds.
Brazilian rosewood finger board and bridge.
The Rest OF The Build
Tuners: Gotoh UPT.
Sugi Wood accents and Gotoh UPT tuners.
Strings: Pepe Romero.
Fret Markers: white MOP.
Nut and Saddle: stained bone.
Sugi and Koa.
Case: Crossrock ABS.
And
Hey, I actually have another instrument here to compare with–the Redwood and Sapele Tenor (leaving soon). Both instruments are super tenor shape and are top braced with the same woods. They have the same strings as well. l’d have to say that the redwood instrument is a bit warmer than the Sugi even though it has a touch less volume because of the cut-a-way. That said, they both have good sustain and note clarity with the Sugi having a touch more on the treble side. Honestly, I could play either an be totally happy. Sugi me baby with a Sugi Wood Tenor Ukulele!
