Any luthiers build/interested in building a tahitian ukulele?

ukulelechef

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A few years ago I went to a festival where they were playing a Tahitian ukulele. It was pretty fascinating. I was interested in getting one then, but my love for the traditional Hawaiian ukulele led me to acquire those instead. Recently, I saw a post in the Marketplace for a Tahitian ukulele and it got me wondering again. My question is, has anyone/does anyone build those aside from the traditional Hawaiian ones?
 
The Tahitian 'ukulele is carved from a single piece of wood so is more a wood carvers art than a luthier. I grew up with a Tahitian friend and later on in his life he starting carving these. As you know thew are more like a banjo with separate sound board which in older times was made from the belly skin of a shark but nowadays thin laminate is used. Here's a couple.

http://www.blackpearldesigns.net/tahitian-ukulele.html
tahitian-ukulele.jpg


http://www.boraborarealtor.com/tahitianukulele.html
Duo1.jpg


http://www.tikiripolynesianinstruments.com/uke.htm
poplaruke.jpg
 
I remember reading a blog where a guy made his own. It seemed quite a bit easier than making a regular ukulele. He used several pieces of wood glued together for the body.

Here is the blog: http://nearlydeaf.com/?p=155
 
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