For some odd reason there seems to be a renewed interest in double sound hole and asymmetric sound hole instruments. After the rapid sale of the last double puka tenor, I quickly got to work on another. This instrument is a new Koa wood for me. I liked the look and am more than […]
No rules, but some basic principles to follow. My mentor, John Greven, has stated in some of his articles that the premise for bracing may have been more for strength rather than sound. This subject could be debated for ions and I am sure that there would be no consensus or clear answers. I’m definitely […]
Here’s another custom ukulele with Koa from the island of Maui. You don’t get Koa from Maui often, and I consider myself lucky to have found this. I have used a Koa and curly Maple laminate neck. Since it is so difficult to find solid woods of the proper dimensions for one piece necks, I […]
I need to write Jimmy Buffett and give him these words–could be the making of a great song. Here is a new instrument made from Mexican Palo Escrito (a genuine rosewood). This is one of those “off the grid” woods that hasn’t been over harvested and provides great potential in this industry. I topped the […]
I haven’t been able to keep one of these instruments for too long. After the last sold, I started a new one and decided to keep it a little more conservative–meaning, no beetle holes. Here is that effort. Of course the body is solid Black Limba, but the neck is also Limba. Accents are Vanuatu […]
Missed my weekly update so here is a midweek showing of a new Koa Tenor. I’m using a new urethane finish and it has a little tint like lacquer. The instrument is all Koa. I have used curly maple binding to accent and have a koa/curly maple/koa neck to match. Accents are curly maple as […]
I don’t know, I just can’t resist. I’ve had the opportunity to build some “shop” instruments and decided to do another maple/sitka combination. ALSO, the latest run of instruments have all been strung up with Jason Arimoto’s PHD, low “G” flourocarbon strings. I wanted to accurately gauge the difference in sound that each wood and […]
I have built a number of double puka ukes in the past but for some reason they are not high on the list of requests. I was totally re- motivated after seeing HAPA this year though and thought it was high time to make another. Here are a couple of pictures from the “shop”. I […]
Here’s a new tenor with a combination of figured, “crotch” Oregon Myrtle for sound board and beeswing African Imbuia (huh!). I accented the instrument with Oregon curly Maple binding and black/white herringbone purfling and matching backstrip. Neck is Oregon Bastogne walnut with an Oregon curly maple lamination. Accents are Maidou burl from Vanuatu ( you […]
This custom tenor ukulele was co-designed by pro surfer Guy Takayama (www.takayamasurf.com). The ukulele is a modified hula hips but with a slightly wider waist and a rounded lower bout. Instead of the usual center sound hole, Guy opted for the asymmetric design this year. Construction is of curly Claro Walnut with curly Oregon Maple […]
