uluapoundr
Well-known member
Disclaimer: Just a word of warning, this is going to be a long story with lots of pics.
About a year ago I was fortunate enough to visit Chuck Moore's shop in Opihikao, about 40 minutes away from my home. With cash in my paypal account, I was hoping to make a purchase. Lucky for me, a customer bailed out of a custom order and I went home with a beautiful tenor, see my youtube review, link on signature. I asked myself, how could I have not known such a great luthier lived in my back yard. Months later, I went back to Chuck's to have a MiSi pickup installed in the uke and got to see some of his latest projects, simply amazing! I kept saying, Moore Bettah Ukuleles is Hawaii best kept ukulele secret.
I had dreamed of having a custom uke of my own built by Chuck. I drooled over his gallery pics and dropped in on his website from time to time to see if there was anything for sale, which there was, but at the time, I was not in a financial situation to purchase another MB, but I still held on to my dream of having one built.
Chuck and I developed a friendship, which was easy given his friendly nature and ever so unique sense of humor. Chuck gave me advice on business and even helped me get started on my business website.
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit Chuck once again, this time to check out an uke he was building for Henry (Hankthetank). We had a great time, putting a short video together which was sent to Henry that day, father's day.
After seeing Henry's uke, I was certain that I was going to ask Chuck to build me an uke. On yet another visit to his shop, I had he opportunity to select the wood. Growing up working in a koa shop, I've had an extreme passion for the wood, and picking one set was not an easy task, everything looked so good. The next visit to the shop was to discuss with Chuck ideas for the uke build. Being an artist myself, I didn't want to put too many demands on Chuck as the builder, knowing that most artist work best when they are allowed to let their creative juices flow. Seeing his previous work, I had the utmost confidence in his work, discussed some ideas, and left the rest up to him.
Fast forward a few weeks down the road, and numerous emails. I got an email from Chuck of the koi to be inlaid followed by emails of the soundhole preparation and then the soundhole with the inlay.
Part 2 coming in a minute.
About a year ago I was fortunate enough to visit Chuck Moore's shop in Opihikao, about 40 minutes away from my home. With cash in my paypal account, I was hoping to make a purchase. Lucky for me, a customer bailed out of a custom order and I went home with a beautiful tenor, see my youtube review, link on signature. I asked myself, how could I have not known such a great luthier lived in my back yard. Months later, I went back to Chuck's to have a MiSi pickup installed in the uke and got to see some of his latest projects, simply amazing! I kept saying, Moore Bettah Ukuleles is Hawaii best kept ukulele secret.
I had dreamed of having a custom uke of my own built by Chuck. I drooled over his gallery pics and dropped in on his website from time to time to see if there was anything for sale, which there was, but at the time, I was not in a financial situation to purchase another MB, but I still held on to my dream of having one built.
Chuck and I developed a friendship, which was easy given his friendly nature and ever so unique sense of humor. Chuck gave me advice on business and even helped me get started on my business website.
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit Chuck once again, this time to check out an uke he was building for Henry (Hankthetank). We had a great time, putting a short video together which was sent to Henry that day, father's day.
After seeing Henry's uke, I was certain that I was going to ask Chuck to build me an uke. On yet another visit to his shop, I had he opportunity to select the wood. Growing up working in a koa shop, I've had an extreme passion for the wood, and picking one set was not an easy task, everything looked so good. The next visit to the shop was to discuss with Chuck ideas for the uke build. Being an artist myself, I didn't want to put too many demands on Chuck as the builder, knowing that most artist work best when they are allowed to let their creative juices flow. Seeing his previous work, I had the utmost confidence in his work, discussed some ideas, and left the rest up to him.
Fast forward a few weeks down the road, and numerous emails. I got an email from Chuck of the koi to be inlaid followed by emails of the soundhole preparation and then the soundhole with the inlay.
Part 2 coming in a minute.
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