Jim Hanks
Well-known member
A lot has already been written about this uke in the build thread:
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?138664-Build-Thread-Cripple-Creek-5-String-Tenor
To summarize, the goal was a 5-string tenor with equal string spacing with tuning clearly "uke plus one" instead of "guitar minus one".
David Hanson, aka Cripple Creek Mandolins was up for the challenge.
Specs:
17" tenor ukulele scale
"Mandolele" body shape
Overall length: 28"
Width: 12"
Depth: 3"
Gotoh UPTL planetary geared tuners
Radiused fingerboard, 12" radius
8.5mm string spacing, 40mm (1-9/16") nut
String through bridge
Living Water fluorocarbon strings, dGCEA (0.70/0.91/0.74/0.66/0.57)
Here is the final rundown on the ten (!) woods used:
top - western red cedar
back/sides - maple, lightly curled
bindings/headplate - curly koa
neck - Spanish cedar w/ walnut stringer
rosette - cherry/maple
fingerboard/bridge - rosewood
braces - spruce
glue linings - basswood
back brace - mahogany
With all the visible woods being (mostly light) brown tones, David dubbed it the "Caramelele". I'm not usually one to name my ukes, but I'm willing to make an exception for this one.
Intonation is spot on. Setup is perfect. Very comfortable playing surface with the string spacing and radiused fretboard.
I'd say the tone is just what you hope for from a cedar top - warm lows and "sparkly" but not harsh highs. Lots of sustain.
Speaking of the top, I have to add that David expressed some disappointment with how the top turned out, showing more scratches and finish irregularities than he hoped for. He even offered to give a significant discount, but I declined. His price was already extremely reasonable for a one-of-a-kind build of this quality. Worth every penny and more - probably much more. Anybody that can't live with a few blemishes on a cedar top, shouldn't get a cedar top. (And they're not nearly as bad to my eye as they are to his.) I am not bothered in the slightest.
I couldn't be happier with the process and the product. David was absolutely great to work with, and I have no hesitation recommending him.
Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite. I'll have a "first look" video with sound sample in the next day or two - as soon as I can get it edited down.
Album on imgur: https://imgur.com/a/cTR2Lba
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?138664-Build-Thread-Cripple-Creek-5-String-Tenor
To summarize, the goal was a 5-string tenor with equal string spacing with tuning clearly "uke plus one" instead of "guitar minus one".
David Hanson, aka Cripple Creek Mandolins was up for the challenge.
Specs:
17" tenor ukulele scale
"Mandolele" body shape
Overall length: 28"
Width: 12"
Depth: 3"
Gotoh UPTL planetary geared tuners
Radiused fingerboard, 12" radius
8.5mm string spacing, 40mm (1-9/16") nut
String through bridge
Living Water fluorocarbon strings, dGCEA (0.70/0.91/0.74/0.66/0.57)
Here is the final rundown on the ten (!) woods used:
top - western red cedar
back/sides - maple, lightly curled
bindings/headplate - curly koa
neck - Spanish cedar w/ walnut stringer
rosette - cherry/maple
fingerboard/bridge - rosewood
braces - spruce
glue linings - basswood
back brace - mahogany
With all the visible woods being (mostly light) brown tones, David dubbed it the "Caramelele". I'm not usually one to name my ukes, but I'm willing to make an exception for this one.
Intonation is spot on. Setup is perfect. Very comfortable playing surface with the string spacing and radiused fretboard.
I'd say the tone is just what you hope for from a cedar top - warm lows and "sparkly" but not harsh highs. Lots of sustain.
Speaking of the top, I have to add that David expressed some disappointment with how the top turned out, showing more scratches and finish irregularities than he hoped for. He even offered to give a significant discount, but I declined. His price was already extremely reasonable for a one-of-a-kind build of this quality. Worth every penny and more - probably much more. Anybody that can't live with a few blemishes on a cedar top, shouldn't get a cedar top. (And they're not nearly as bad to my eye as they are to his.) I am not bothered in the slightest.
I couldn't be happier with the process and the product. David was absolutely great to work with, and I have no hesitation recommending him.
Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite. I'll have a "first look" video with sound sample in the next day or two - as soon as I can get it edited down.
Album on imgur: https://imgur.com/a/cTR2Lba
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