It's not often that I get a request for a custom built pineapple style ukulele, yet when I have them on offer they do sell to very appreciative clients. So when Robert approached me to build him a tenor size pineapple uke out of Australian Blackwood with Sitka Spruce top, I was really pleased. I offered him the option of taking a Bear Claw top and he jumped at the offer. And the very best part of this commission is that he told me to trim the instrument out they way I felt would look the best……My very favourite type of client. They always get a little extra. Read More...

Tags: Bearclaw Sitka Spruce, Blackwood, Slot Head, Pineapple Ukulele, Tenor Ukulele

Custom builds are always fun and challenging to do. It's rare that a client can be in the workshop with me so that ideas and examples can be hashed out in person, so it's often left to many emails and phone calls to try and fix the build criteria in both parties minds prior to cutting the first piece of wood.

This instrument is going to be personalised more than most that I build, with family names being inlaid in the rosette. The back and sides will be in Tiger Myrtle, and top in Western Red Cedar. It's a great combination and the color pallet features lots of reds and blacks making for a striking package in a high gloss finish. Read More...

Tags: Tenor Ukulele, Tiger Myrtle, Slot Head, Western Red Cedar

Milo comes from Hawaii, and is a protected tree that is rather difficult to source material from. This wood came from a tree that was knocked down in a Hurricane in 1998. Some notable luthiers around the world have built instruments from this tree, and I was lucky enough to get a few sets to try out myself. The color pallet also pairs nicely with some red/black Ancient Sitka Spruce that I have. Read More...

Tags: Ancient Spruce, Milo, Concert Ukulele

Blackheart Sassafras has got to be one of Australia's most unique instrument building timbers. No two pieces are exactly the same, and the colors range from bone through pinks and greens all the way to black. It also makes for a very complimentary combination to pair with some Ancient Sitka Spruce that ranges from a warm red/ black tone to a more cool blue/black tone. Read More...

Tags: Ancient Spruce, Blackheart Sassafras, Concert Ukulele

This instrument is a commission for a returning client who saw images of the Ancient Sitka and Honduran Rosewood Baritone that I recently completed. He's asked for both a tenor and soprano and this will be the documentation of the soprano build using some really nicely figured Tiger Myrtle with an Ancient Sitka Spruce for a sound board. It will get some Peg Head 4:1 geared tuners as they are just so nice and light for a small bodied instrument like this. Read More...

Tags: Ancient Spruce, Tiger Myrtle, Soprano Ukulele, Peghead Tuners