Here’s the first spec instrument of 2021. This is another of my Koa Mix Tenor Ukulele. When I started serious building I wanted to concentrate on instrument sound and the beauty of the wood, but I also wanted to keep my builds fun and sometimes a bit frivolous–ukulele fun! This tenor ukulele showcases a few […]
It’s trash day but also posting day. Here’s #4 of the Pier Piling request, a Macassar Pier Piling Tenor Ukulele. This is a standard tenor shape. The goal in this group build was to utilize the special Pier Piling Douglas Fir for each but to make each ukulele unique with a different shape and different […]
This is #3 in the Pier Piling build–a Koa and Pier Piling Fir Ukulele. This one is a super tenor shape like #1. I purchased this lovely set of Koa from Notable Woods in the Pacific Northwest maybe 6 years ago. I know, you’re asking, Koa from the PNW? Well these people have deep roots […]
A Spalted Tamarind and Fir Tenor Ukulele? Yup, that’s what was requested. I think it must be a “dare to be different” thing. This is #2 of the the “Four” 100 year old Pier Piling Douglas Fir instruments–a standard tenor. Tamarind wood exhibits a lot of interesting looks. I really don’t know too much about […]
Off to the races 2021. Here is the first of Four new ukuleles completed this year, the Maple and Mappa Burl Tenor Ukulele. All the instruments have the 100 year old Pier Piling Douglas Fir for sound boards. Hopefully you won’t find this boring? The back and sides are made from some of my very […]
Aloha 2021! First of the year is this Quilt and Curl Super Tenor Ukulele. I’m still exploring different possibilities here using some unusual compression curl Koa wood and some silvery, quilt Maple wood. You know I like them both. The Sound Board Last of this look of compression curl Koa from Hearne Hardwoods. This is […]
I’d like to have called this post “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” but I think we’ll just focus on the Good– 2020 Ukuleles in Review. Color As unique wood supplies become more scarce I am finding new interest in domestic hardwoods like Maple. Curly and quilted stocks are hard to find and becoming […]
Happy New Year Y’all! Here is the Last Ukulele 2020–well, not the last build but the last completed instrument of the year. It is a concert sized uke with a standard concert scale, a standard depth and volume custom build for a special guy. This is a Christmas present for a young player. After seeing […]
Delivered last weekend is this new Tenor Ukulele–Every Note A Love Song. This is the tribute ukulele for the family of the individual who was responsible for the salvage of the pier piling fir from the Navy Base in San Diego. Rather than destroy this wood or use it as landfill, it was re-purposed into […]
The eyes have it! This is a Birdseye Maple Tenor Ukulele. I know that you’ve seen this sound board material before and you’re going to see it again four more times at least. This is the Pier Piling Douglas Fir from San Diego Bay. One hundred years of salt cure has given this wood a […]
