Okay, there is no empirical data that supports the design of the modern ukulele or guitar–especially when it comes to sound hole placement, or number of sound holes. So do you prefer traditional design are can you live with some of the alternative instrument designs? I have listened to both and am unable to determine […]
Hot off the press, here’s a new Koa tenor uke. I can’t resist wood with sap wood. This Koa is not perfectly quartered–thus the odd curl/figure. The back features a laser cut petroglyph back strip. This instrument features x-bracing with asymmetric sound hole and side concert sound hole. Binding is East India Rosewood with Blue […]
Just in case you are wondering how strong your ukulele or guitar is–here I am showing how strong these delicate instruments can be be standing on one with my dainty 195 pounds. No, I do not suggest that you take your vintage Martin out into the street and try to duplicate this experiment. I really […]
If you have followed some of my commentary you will see that I have have posted pictures of many instruments with asymmetric and multiple sound holes. For those individuals who think that I only make instruments of this configuration, let me put minds at ease. Here are four instruments with conventional sound hold configuration. […]
Here’s another Koa Ukulele that is available at Surfy Surfy (www.surfysurfy.net) in Leucadia, California. Solid Koa. It exhibits an asymmetric sound hole placement (side sound hole as well). Binding is East India Rosewood and purfling is vintage style. I really like this sound hole placement (as if you can’t tell!). In a blind test, this […]
Here’s a new instrument that can be seen at Surfy Surfy (www.surfysurfy.net) in Leucadia, California. It is my Kahiko design ukulele exhibiting a double puka sound hole. The bracing is on the light side and reflects the narrow waist and high placement of the sound holes. For some reason, these instruments have always been bright […]
Occasionally I get a request for some unusual wood combinations. Here is a tenor ukulele, just completed, made with Australian Lacewood for sound board and back. The back is laser cut embellished with the customer”s artwork. The sides are Hawaiian Koa. The binding is Oregon curly Maple. The fingerboard and bridge are African figured […]
Here’s a trio of tenor ukulele with soft cut-a-way design that have gone out lately.
One of my latest requests was for a shark inlay on the peg head. Tough call. I wanted to go for big teeth, but opted for simple. The shark was cut out of Phillipine black mother-of-pearl. Nothing special as far as detail, but it looks really cool as the light changes on the instrument–kind […]
Here’s my version of Hawaiian Makau with tribal accents. As I said in my last post, I am into my South Pacific roots at the present. This Koa is from Maui, and I really like the color–no killer figure, but it is really attractive and also really light. I felt that the Makau fit the look. […]
