Hey guys sorry it took so long for a reply.
My name is Halemaumau and I'm the maker of the Nakulu brand. Hopefully I can answer your questions. I'll be brief but will be pleased to expand upon any question if you like.
A little bit about myself. I am of Hawaiian ancestry and was born and raised in Waimanalo, HI, on what is called "Hawaiian homestead" land. I was introduced to lutherie about a dozen years ago when my father first conceived his Nakulu ukulele, today I carry the same label.
I work out of a small one man "shop" and while small I mill my own stock as well as dry koa and mango when it becomes available. On rare occasions I will purchase master grade tonewoods or if I see something that I absolutely must have I will buy from select mills. I do not use plywood or laminates in my instruments. "Select" woods simply refers to woods that make the grade but may not have outstanding figure or curl, and does not have the "wow" factor. A less confusing term may be "ordinary" for lesser grade solid koa.
A typical Nakulu ukulele is constructed in a traditional "Spanish" method where the neck is attached to the body during the first stages of assembly vs being attached by glue, dovetail, or a slotted key after being boxed.
My production runs are small, averaging a dozen or so instruments a year which is partly why you don't see my instruments in shops and retail stores. Tenor ukulele's are requested most often however I do produce concert models for display when time permits, coincidentally I do not have concert and baritone models in stock!
Okay I see I am seriously rambling on and on so I will end this post. If you have any questions please do so and ask!
Mahalo plenty,
Halemaumau
