New Koa Tenor

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…

Not Another Maple Ukulele!

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"…

Double Puka Koa Tenor

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…

More Myrtle, and….

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.…

Takayama Surf

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…

New Black Walnut Concert

This concert ukulele is made from the following woods: back and sides--figured Claro Walnut; sound board--Canadian Red Cedar; neck--Oregon black walnut;  accents--Maidou burl.  The binding is East India Rosewood.  I also used an extended…

Villaverde

Carl is one of the best ukulele players in town.  Check out some of his videos on YouTube (Carl Villaverde).  Carl teaches music and ukulele at Santa Barbara City College.  He is also a regular performer in the Los Angeles area.   Here are…

Kimo Uke on Tour with Beck

Here's a note and a link that I received last year--just didn't get around to posting .  The uke being played is an all African Imbuia hula hips tenor ukulele.  I think I made it about 7 years ago.  The wood has a huge tonal range as well…

Olukai Ho’olaule’a 2014

Yes, it is that time of the year again.  Hopefully the gods prevailed this year with good winds and prevailing surf for the most classic open water event of the year.  If you are into stand up paddling, outrigger canoeing or Hawaiiana then…

More Myrtle

Just finished this Myrtle Wood and Black Walnut tenor ukulele.  I don't think the pictures do justice to the beauty and unusual qualities of the sound board--it's a cross between tiger strip, curly, figured and crazy.  It compliments the figured…