New Year-New Baritone

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…

Indo Rosewood

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…

Tasmanian Devil

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…

Combi Concert

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…

Heals, Just Heals

Just some pics of heal features that I have made in the past.  It's all evolving.

I’m a Sap for Sapwood!

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…

Viva Villaverde!

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…

OMG Suzie!

Suzie ordered a baritone koa ukulele.  Nothing fancy she said, no pick-up, no glitz.  OK, I put strings on  this instrument this weekend and, although I have not finished final adjustment, I have totally fallen in love with this instrument.…

Black is Beautiful Baby!

I just  finished this Black Limba ukulele.  It's a tenor, by the way.   Haven't made one from this wood in awhile since I have not had a reliable source for wood.  This wood has a  really pleasant tap tone and I especially like the varied…

New Black Walnut

Got this Claro Black Walnut from my good friends at Gilmer Woods in Oregon.  I've topped this uke with a 60+ year old Sitka Spruce that was rescued from the Gibson factory.  I left the age stain down the middle just to give it some credibility.…