Yesterday I took delivery of my second custom this year, a Boat Paddle ML style tenor. The L stands for large body.
I contacted Jerry Hoffman back in the beginning of June about building me a custom, so the turnaround time was a mere three months. I really enjoy the entire prcess of getting a custom. The choices, the communication, and the anticipation.
Here are the specs;
Narra back and sides
Western Red Cedar top
Maple bindings
bwbw pufling
side soundport
ebony headplate, bridge, and fingerboard
Waverly tuners with ebony buttons
Worth reentrant strings
MOP thumbnail postion markers
Custom shaped neck
Gloss lacquer finish
MiSi pickup
I had Jerry scale down the thickness of the neck somewhat, as the BP's that I had played before felt a little chunky. It is almost identical to my Moore Bettahs. Speaking of MB, I can't believe I am saying this, but the fit and finish are every bit the equal to my MBs. I have to tip my hat to Jerry, as Chuck is the gold standard against which all others are judged. I went over every cm of this uke and can't find a flaw. The only head scratcher is that Jerry installed a strap button on it even though I didn't request it. But given the shape of the ML style, it looks perfectly at home where it is.
Jerry tells me that he finds Western Cedar to open up faster than any other tonewood. We'll see, but it sounds fantastic now, even as the strings settle. I might put a Savarez Corum wound low G on it at some point, as I play more low G. The sound is clear and crisp, with excellent sustain and volume. The note separation is outstanding. The larger body feels very comfortable to me, and really projects. I know that some will ask, so I appologize in advance. I don't have any means for sound samples.
So enough small talk and on to what you really want to see, the pics.
I contacted Jerry Hoffman back in the beginning of June about building me a custom, so the turnaround time was a mere three months. I really enjoy the entire prcess of getting a custom. The choices, the communication, and the anticipation.
Here are the specs;
Narra back and sides
Western Red Cedar top
Maple bindings
bwbw pufling
side soundport
ebony headplate, bridge, and fingerboard
Waverly tuners with ebony buttons
Worth reentrant strings
MOP thumbnail postion markers
Custom shaped neck
Gloss lacquer finish
MiSi pickup
I had Jerry scale down the thickness of the neck somewhat, as the BP's that I had played before felt a little chunky. It is almost identical to my Moore Bettahs. Speaking of MB, I can't believe I am saying this, but the fit and finish are every bit the equal to my MBs. I have to tip my hat to Jerry, as Chuck is the gold standard against which all others are judged. I went over every cm of this uke and can't find a flaw. The only head scratcher is that Jerry installed a strap button on it even though I didn't request it. But given the shape of the ML style, it looks perfectly at home where it is.
Jerry tells me that he finds Western Cedar to open up faster than any other tonewood. We'll see, but it sounds fantastic now, even as the strings settle. I might put a Savarez Corum wound low G on it at some point, as I play more low G. The sound is clear and crisp, with excellent sustain and volume. The note separation is outstanding. The larger body feels very comfortable to me, and really projects. I know that some will ask, so I appologize in advance. I don't have any means for sound samples.
So enough small talk and on to what you really want to see, the pics.
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