Here’s one of my favorite alternative woods–Oregon Myrtle. This is a decent tonewood, often used by Breedlove Guitars. I was lucky to score on some “odd” pieces that matched enough for a complete instrument. I haven’t had a source for Myrtle for years. Here’s a few pics of the most recently finished instrument: Myrtle all […]
Another tenor ukulele with a combination of my favorite woods. The back and sides are curly Oregon Black Walnut. The sound board is curly Hawaiian Koa. The binding is curly Oregon Maple. The accents are Indonesian Maidou burl. The neck is also Oregon Black Walnut. Finger board and bridge are Macassar Ebony. Tuners are […]
Suzie wanted a baritone, then Craig, and now Don. This baritone ukulele is constructed of Tasmanian Blackwood. Binding is Oregon curly Maple and it sports vintage purfling and chevron backstrip. I upgraded the tuners to Gotoh Mini’s. Accents are Indonesian Maidou Burl. After some string changes I decided on a high tension combination of D’Addario […]
After seeing OMG Suzie’s baritone, Craig wanted one as close to hers as possible. This instrument is constructed out of the same wood as Suzie’s, with East Indian Rosewood binding, and Oregon curly maple accents–no frills. The headstock is Maidou Burl. The tuners are Gotoh Mini’s in gold. I like making these instruments and consider […]
This client wanted the look of Madagascar Rosewood–sadly, no longer available or scarce. My go to alternative was Indonesian Rosewood. While not a true rosewood, this wood has the look of the older Madagascar or even Brazilian rosewood with a great color and some spider web figure–dense and with a bright and responsive tap tone. […]
Here is an ukulele just recently finished and made of Tasmanian Blackwood (Koa’s relative from the southern hemisphere). Although not yet strung up, I believe that this instrument will offer a crisp but full sound. The wood is a bit denser than Koa but with an excellent, bright tap tone and sustain. I have made […]
Paul, didn’t want the same old thing–that is, a tenor. Instead he opted for a concert, high “G” tuning with a variety of woods. Per his instructions, I have constructed a concert ukulele with East India Rosewood sides to accent a Koa sound board and back. Paul also wanted Oregon curly maple binding with paua […]
Just some pics of heal features that I have made in the past. It’s all evolving.
Here’s a new tenor with a wood that I have built with before. My client just loved the look and I do too. Personally, I love variation in the wood such as this sap wood center (click on the pictures for a closer look). I’m not as fortunate as some of the builders on the […]
Pro musician and ukulele phenom Carl Ray Villaverde just picked up his new ukulele this weekend (youtube: carl ray villaverde). This tenor cut-a-way was co-designed by Carl and I. Besides the request for particular woods, Carl was most adamant on a “C” shaped neck. I’ll have to admit that after shaping this neck to […]
