Entries by Kimo Ukulele

The Tree, Burl and Redwood Ukulele

Here’s the latest The Tree ukulele.  For lack of better terminology I’ll call it The Tree, Burl and Redwood Ukulele.  This is a super tenor shape.   It’s all about the wood. Body:  The Tree Honduran mahogany–tortoise curl.  The sides are doubled with straight quarter-sawn Honduran mahogany.  There’s a whole thing out there now with […]

Willy’s Baritone Ukulele

Here’s another example of my new baritone shape.  This is Willy’s Baritone Ukulele.   It’s all about the wood. Body:  Brazilian Rosewood.  Really old! Sound Board:  Fort Ross Redwood.  This set has some darker material favored by Willy. Fret Board and Bridge:  Ebony species.  15 frets to the body and 21″ scale. 1 7/16″ nut. […]

Plumeria Tenor Ukulele

Finally!  Really moving slow here.  This is the Plumeria Tenor Ukulele in the post yesterday. It’s all about the wood. Body:  Curly Hawaiian Koa. Sound board:  Swiss Moon Spruce with subtle horizontal bearclaw figure. Neck:  Honduran Mahogany with Hawaiian Mango and curly American Maple lamination.  Internal carbon fiber truss rod, of course. Fret Board and Bridge:  […]

Ukulele Woods

I’m working, but with the holidays, the weather and such production has been bit slow.  If you are curious about current projects please check my Instagram page.  Here are a few comments about instrument woods. The Tree Ah, the mystery of “The Tree” wood one of the most revered, expensive and unobtainable woods in all […]

Black and White Ebony Ukulele

Yikes! It’s almost Christmas.  Here’s a Black and White Ebony Ukulele finished just in time. This is a super tenor shape. It’s All About the Wood Back and Sides: Asian Black and White Ebony.  This is one tough wood to work with.  It’s difficult to cut, dry and bend. It is very prone to cracking.  […]

Pomelle Sapele Tenor Ukulele

Although most of the Sapele sets that I have are similar in appearance, I am not yet tired of a Pomelle Sapele Tenor Ukulele.   It’s All About the Wood Body:  African Pomelle Sapele.   Too much figure?  I don’t think so.  This wood is warm in tap tone but sparks up plenty with a little […]

The Tree and Fort Ross Ukulele

This is The Tree and Fort Ross Ukulele. It’s All About the Wood Body:  My last set of sausage curl “The Tree” mahogany.  This is a single piece back set.  I’m practicing for  two more builds with the tortoise curl and book match.  I’ve discovered that the sausage curl is more difficult to bend of […]

Burl Wood Tenor Ukulele

Here’s the latest, the Burl Wood Tenor Ukulele. It’s All About the Wood Body:  I seriously had to do this!  I’ve had my eye on this Brown, Australian Mallee Burl for about 3 years.  It hadn’t sold because it was a little on the pricey side but I finally sucked it up and made the […]

Double Puka Double Curly Ukulele

Out on the Saturday mail is this new Double Puka Double Curly Ukulele. This is a standard tenor shape. It’s All About the Wood Body:  all curly Koa.  This set of wood was purchased by the client.  Good eye, good taste! Binding:  curly Hawaiian Mango with turquoise/black fiber purfling. Accents:  curly Hawaiian Mango. Neck:  Honduran […]

Elegant Pineapple Ukulele

This Elegant Pineapple Ukulele left the shop yesterday. It’s All About the Wood Body:  Curly Claro Walnut. Sound Board:  Ancient Sitka Spruce with Tahitian Black MOP purfling.  Waste not, want not–or so they say.  I have this one last offcut of ancient spruce destined for either a pineapple or a concert.  I think it works […]