One of my latest projects required Peony Flower inlays. I”m not a big fan of sound board inlays because it limits my ability to custom thickness the soundboard ,but who am I to say no–no rules in ukulele. So this is my interpretation of the clients requests. I can’t say that my photography is up […]
This is the first out-of-the-mold jumbo tenor ukulele. This shape is a conglomerate of patterns from my original Hula Hips tenor to a more classic jumbo guitar shape. It is not as thick as my current instruments but is 10 inches in the lower bout. The volume may be about the same but the active […]
Another curly, spalted maple uke but with a Sitka sound board. I used a vintage style back strip and rope purfling to accent. The client also wanted the asymmetric sound hole with side concert sound hole. Additionally, he selected a figured Bubinga and radiused finger board. I put LMI’s “evo” gold frets […]
Here’s a new Maple Tenor: center sound hole, and side concert sound hole. Really nice Maple back and sides with a Sitka top. I did finger board and bridge in a new wood from Mexico called Guanadillo Negro–probably Granadillo but more brown in color. How knows? It’s really hard and I liked the color! Accents […]
So with multiple moves and all I haven’t been get’in with it lately. Still been busy though. Here’s a new custom instrument for a client that wanted only California woods. The back is Monterey cypress, the sides are Sycamore, the sound board and neck are CA old growth redwood and the binding is Eucalyptus. Body […]
I get this question about what wood is my most favorite. Answer: Don’t have one. Every wood and every wood combination provides different flavor to the instrument and it is difficult to get into the ears and eyes of every individual. Yes, I do like Koa–It is so pretty and varied but so expensive and […]
OMG! My client wanted an alternative sound hole arrangement for his new 6 string ukulele. Who am I to say no! Not only did he request three sound holes for his left handed uke, but he wanted all the possible wood combinations he could get in one instrument (black walnut neck, koa sound board, curly […]
It’s almost time for San Diego Ukulele Festival 2012. Last year’s first ever event in SD was a big success. This year the event will be moved downtown to one of the Piers. Great location and a great line-up. Check it out at: www.sandiegoukulelefestival.com. Here’s a couple of pics from our booth last year. Of […]
Yowza! Here’s another mango tenor uke–same wood as in Mango Me Baby. Asymmetric sound hole, side concert sound hole, good figure and color in the mango but with my plumeria sound board inlay. It’s interesting, but I really think that some of these low density woods really respond well with this short scale and […]
I have this “no rules” ukuleles thing. Here I’ve got some great spalted, curly maple but didn’t have a real strong feeling about what the sound board should be made of. I used some of my unmatched Koa for a top on this instrument. Actually this is the third of similar instruments I have […]
