Posts
Oh Myrtle!
Here's one of my favorite alternative woods--Oregon Myrtle. This is a decent tonewood, often used by Breedlove Guitars. I was lucky to score on some "odd" pieces that matched enough for a complete instrument. I haven't had a source for…
Curly Curly!
Another tenor ukulele with a combination of my favorite woods. The back and sides are curly Oregon Black Walnut. The sound board is curly Hawaiian Koa. The binding is curly Oregon Maple. The accents are Indonesian Maidou burl. The…
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…
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…
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…
