Doc_J
Well-known member
This baritone is why I keep an eye out for unusual ukes that interest me (found this on Reverb). Here’s a hand-built all Rosewood baritone with steel strings, built by Rob (don’t know his last name) at Aaron’s Music Service on Main Street in Vicksburg, Michigan. In short this uke is amazing. Didn't really expect it to be this good.
Lots of the design elements go against traditional preferences. The top is rosewood (solid), as is the body, fretboard and bridge. It’s got steel strings on a 19-inch (+ a little compensation) scale with cross bracing under the top. The neck is thicker than any of 150+ ukes I’ve played, much like a guitar neck, the fretboard has a nice radius and is 1.5”wide at the nut. The frets are BIG guitar frets. However, it all works amazing well. It’s super comfortable and easy to play, and intonates near perfect. AND, the tone is outstanding. Sold my awesome Pono UL-4 steel string to get this…No regrets. I prefer the familiar 19” scale, the feel and tone of this. https://flic.kr/s/aHskrUAbS3
This uke is not without flaw. Its gloss finish has few minor flaws: a few finish craze lines and imperfections, and the frets are not done to a professional standard of finish and polish, but who cares when it plays, feels and sounds this good.
https://app.box.com/s/ap6xncfqhgiox8y8sntsaok5lox3w26d
https://app.box.com/s/fjox8qwmd5bxhpgrhyrcu6f7jn14qcyp
Don’t know how many baritones that Rob at Aaron’s Music Service has made (just a couple I think), but I sure hope he keeps building baritones.
2017-11-22 20.55.14 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/, on Flickr
2017-11-22 20.54.35 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/, on Flickr
2017-11-22 20.54.45 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/, on Flickr
2017-11-22 20.54.56 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/, on Flickr
Lots of the design elements go against traditional preferences. The top is rosewood (solid), as is the body, fretboard and bridge. It’s got steel strings on a 19-inch (+ a little compensation) scale with cross bracing under the top. The neck is thicker than any of 150+ ukes I’ve played, much like a guitar neck, the fretboard has a nice radius and is 1.5”wide at the nut. The frets are BIG guitar frets. However, it all works amazing well. It’s super comfortable and easy to play, and intonates near perfect. AND, the tone is outstanding. Sold my awesome Pono UL-4 steel string to get this…No regrets. I prefer the familiar 19” scale, the feel and tone of this. https://flic.kr/s/aHskrUAbS3
This uke is not without flaw. Its gloss finish has few minor flaws: a few finish craze lines and imperfections, and the frets are not done to a professional standard of finish and polish, but who cares when it plays, feels and sounds this good.
https://app.box.com/s/ap6xncfqhgiox8y8sntsaok5lox3w26d
https://app.box.com/s/fjox8qwmd5bxhpgrhyrcu6f7jn14qcyp
Don’t know how many baritones that Rob at Aaron’s Music Service has made (just a couple I think), but I sure hope he keeps building baritones.
2017-11-22 20.55.14 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/, on Flickr
2017-11-22 20.54.35 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/, on Flickr
2017-11-22 20.54.45 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/, on Flickr
2017-11-22 20.54.56 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/, on Flickr
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