Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

This one has been in the works for some time now. A commission with some twists along the way, and it's had it's share of challenges. From waiting for the client to tell me what he wanted engraved in the rosette, to changing ideas about head stock, tuners, strings.....well lets say I've learned a lot about when to say "that's enough" from now on.

Body - Tiger Myrtle
Top - Ancient Spruce
Neck - Spanish Cedar
Fret Board - Ebony with 12" radius
Peg Head Overlays - Ebony
Tuners - Gotoh
Pickup - K&K Aloha twin
All binding - Cocobolo
Rosette - Koa
Bridge - Cocobolo
Strings - South Coast Ukes.... g Cc E Aa
Finish - Mirotone

Insane...

Beautiful work Allen

I like the cocobolo binding against the tiger myrtle.
It's nice to see something other than tm or black.
I've tried jarrah which was ok but the cocobolo is much better.
Was it your suggestion Allen?

Yes, I've used Cocobolo on quite a few instruments for binding. Must be a three or four with Tiger Myrtle now. This piece I've been cutting bindings from starts out as florescent orange when first cut and oxidises to this rich oxblood red in a few days. Gets a bit darker but I've seen some 4 years from when I've used it and it's still looks very similar.

I like this one alot (and I don't even like tiger myrtle much! ) I love how the rosette and script sit against the Ancient Spruce, it all fits well. Glad you said enough's enough Allen, any different or more and it just wouldn't be 'right'. How are the secondary strings tuned, octaves?

Yes, they are octaves.

It's an odd sound to my ear with the Aa combo. Not to my taste, but that's what the client asked for.

What does the Ancient Spruce add to the sound Alan?

Shit hot instrument!

Ancient spruce is more like a hardwood than a softwood. So you get the fundamental of the notes more like you do with a mahogany or Blackwood top.

Yep. I agree that the cocobolo against the tiger myrtle - with black/white accents - is just a killer look. Beautiful.
What is the method for getting the text in the rosette? I am not sure that I woould want to do it myself - but it is very unique! Obviously a commissioned feature, so I am very impressed by the outcome.

The rosette is laser engraved and then filled with coloured epoxy resin. Yes, the client wanted that text. It started out going to be in Chinese Characters, but somehow ended up in English by his choice.

What else can I say that hasn't been said already, it's the benchmark.

Col

If I could dye spruce and get that look then dye I would. Is it the pics or does it have a blue hue, like a cattle dog sort of blue. Good job of putting it together to Allen.

Jim

The colors in these shots are as true to the real thing as I can get on my monitor.

There seems to be two different colors that this spruce falls into Jim. There's the cool blue tint that this one is, and then the other is the warmer red tone that I've got a few sets of. Makes a bit of a challenge to match up body and trim with.

I'm really liking the timber choices and the "layout/design" of this, looks wonderful

Hi Allen,

Do you radius the backs of your ukulele's & if so, what radius?

As usual you've hit the mark with the choice of woods for this build, also the way you achieve such a high degree of finish on you're instruments just gives them that extra 'wow' factor.

Pleasure to see great workmanship.

Yes, the back has a 15' radius.

I'm curious what something like this sells for. I see soooo much time involved, some costly materials as well. I'm very uninformed about anything to do with the Uke market, I wouldn't even be able to take a wild guess what they retail for.

Also, I have to say, I really, really like your headstock logo. So simple, but look great. It's jumped out at me several times when I've looked at your builds.

Have a look at Allens website and you will get a good idea of what they cost. I would buy one if I had any sort of musical ability. I love Allens work, It is the pinnacle for me.

Cheers


Col

Thanks guys;

As for price's....well they are evolving and going up as the demand increases and sales going further and further afield.

Ones like this instrument are quoted based on specialty timbers, tuners, custom inlay etc. Far from what it really should be, but it's also far far more than what the average ukulele buyer spends on an instrument. It's a tough market when you're average instrument is between $100 and $300.

Thanks for the the reply

I had looked at your site before, but being typical me it was a quick skim read looking for prices and quick info I had completely missed the menu bar at the top. Maybe for fools like me it needs to be a bit less subtle?!