NatalieS
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,371
- Reaction score
- 137
I thought it might be appropriate for my 1000th post to announce that I have a custom uke on the way!
I've been playing out and about more often, and I'm sadly realizing that my soprano can't keep up with the volume and projection of other instruments in a band or jam session. After a particularly frustrating performance where everyone told me they couldn't hear my uke (despite having a microphone right in front of it and me playing way harder than I wanted to), I decided to look for a second uke that will be more appropriate for what I need.
I searched luthiers and builders for a couple of months. Eventually, I settled on Ana'ole Ukulele. I've emailed back and forth with Gareth Yahiku, who will design and build my new baby. We've come up with a custom design exactly to my specifications.
This is the first time I've placed a custom order, and I have a very particular idea of what I want. I'm getting a concert with koa back and sides, spruce top, black binding, a "triple" abalone rosette, ebony fretboard and bridge, and a Fishman pickup. Best of all, there will be a koi inlayed onto the ebony headstock, in white MOP and Puau abalone.
Gareth sent pictures of koa possibilities, and I really loved this combination so I chose this one.
Now all I have to do is wait and look forward to it! I now know how you guys feel when you have something like this to look forward to. I've been playing uke for about 4 years now I guess, and this is sort of the culmination of what I've been looking for for a long time. I will post as more pictures and info come along.
I've been playing out and about more often, and I'm sadly realizing that my soprano can't keep up with the volume and projection of other instruments in a band or jam session. After a particularly frustrating performance where everyone told me they couldn't hear my uke (despite having a microphone right in front of it and me playing way harder than I wanted to), I decided to look for a second uke that will be more appropriate for what I need.
I searched luthiers and builders for a couple of months. Eventually, I settled on Ana'ole Ukulele. I've emailed back and forth with Gareth Yahiku, who will design and build my new baby. We've come up with a custom design exactly to my specifications.
This is the first time I've placed a custom order, and I have a very particular idea of what I want. I'm getting a concert with koa back and sides, spruce top, black binding, a "triple" abalone rosette, ebony fretboard and bridge, and a Fishman pickup. Best of all, there will be a koi inlayed onto the ebony headstock, in white MOP and Puau abalone.
Gareth sent pictures of koa possibilities, and I really loved this combination so I chose this one.
Now all I have to do is wait and look forward to it! I now know how you guys feel when you have something like this to look forward to. I've been playing uke for about 4 years now I guess, and this is sort of the culmination of what I've been looking for for a long time. I will post as more pictures and info come along.