Posts
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.
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…
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.…
My Favorite Wood II
I just purchased some Black Limba lumber and here are a few pictures of book matches from that piece. Shhhhh! It's a secret so don't tell anyone-- this wood duplicates Koa and Black walnut in density and tonal quality. The pattern of the…
My Favorite Time of the Build
I'm sure every luthier has a certain time in the build process that he enjoys the most. For me, this would be after the instrument body comes out of the mold and at the first application of sealer. If I could just quit at this moment it…
Bob Goes Big!
As in Baritone, that is.
Uncle Bob has been eyeing this Oregon Bastogne Black Walnut for most of a year now. He finally pulled the trigger, but wanted a baritone instead of the usual tenor. He wanted the instrument to be straight-forward…
Artwork Ukulele
This tenor ukulele was purchased by Olukai (www.olukai.com) as part of it's contribution for this year's Surf Industry Manufacturers Association annual Waterman"s Ball (www.sima.com)l silent auction. I was pleased to collaborate with ocean…
