Weather and work have been keeping me from posting a NUD, but this one really deserves to be shown. It's a Series 3 Concert Ukulele made by John S. Kinnard, with a Sinker Redwood top, Cocobolo back & sides, Curly Maple binding, Blue Abalone rosette, a side sound port and a slotted headstock with Gotoh Stealth tuners.
My idea for this build was for something that sounds and looks like a modern tenor, but in the smaller size of a concert, which is cuter and, at times, more comfortable to play for me. So, how did this work out?
It really looks like a shrunk tenor. I love the classy combination of dark woods with light appointments. The slotted headstock and small tuning machines add to this understated elegance. Craftsmanship is excellent, right up there with the best. Flawless execution, and wonderful attention to detail. Very nice finish work, too.
The uke is strung linear to my preference, strings are Southcoast HML-RW with wound G and C. They really work well for that tenor-like tone I'm looking for. The sound is far from being barking and percussive, but offers long sustain, great clarity and excellent note separation, just like I was hoping. As was to be expected, with its smaller body and shorter scale, this uke isn't quite as loud as a real tenor, especially with the bass notes, but it doesn't have to be: This is now my go-to uke for playing softly at night, cuddled up on the sofa.
Thanks to John Kinnard and Kevin Beddoe who kept me up to date with photos at all times. The pictures from the build can be seen here. A sound sample from Kevin has been posted in that thread as well (thanks again for posting it, Dave).
My idea for this build was for something that sounds and looks like a modern tenor, but in the smaller size of a concert, which is cuter and, at times, more comfortable to play for me. So, how did this work out?
It really looks like a shrunk tenor. I love the classy combination of dark woods with light appointments. The slotted headstock and small tuning machines add to this understated elegance. Craftsmanship is excellent, right up there with the best. Flawless execution, and wonderful attention to detail. Very nice finish work, too.
The uke is strung linear to my preference, strings are Southcoast HML-RW with wound G and C. They really work well for that tenor-like tone I'm looking for. The sound is far from being barking and percussive, but offers long sustain, great clarity and excellent note separation, just like I was hoping. As was to be expected, with its smaller body and shorter scale, this uke isn't quite as loud as a real tenor, especially with the bass notes, but it doesn't have to be: This is now my go-to uke for playing softly at night, cuddled up on the sofa.
Thanks to John Kinnard and Kevin Beddoe who kept me up to date with photos at all times. The pictures from the build can be seen here. A sound sample from Kevin has been posted in that thread as well (thanks again for posting it, Dave).
. Kinnard ukes always have that exquisite feeling.
