Just a little update on my planning for a "graduation present..."
To give you an idea of where I'm at, I've applied and been accepted to college for the Fall 2013 semester. I'm so excited about the opportunity to further my education, but the cost is a little daunting. It's a private institution that doesn't accept government funding, so my scholarships have to either come from private entities or from the college itself. As such, most of what I have right now in savings will need to be placed towards college to ensure that I can pay my way through without loans. However, as I start figuring out how much I'm going to get from the college based on academics, high school forensics experience, etc. there's a possibility I may be able to squeeze out enough from savings to order my dream ukulele and still be able to afford college.
I have a pretty firm idea of who I want to order the ukulele from, and I already know exactly what I want it to be, regardless of where I get it from. I've played a lot of instruments and gotten familiar with what I like, and you know, I just can't get over that base love of beautiful koa wood. The sound is just so distinctive, and I never fail to be impressed by the coloring and looks of the wood. So koa for sure. I would like to get a tenor. As much as I love my concert, I've enjoyed every tenor I've ever played, and I quite enjoy playing my eleuke. I'd love to have a great acoustic tenor at this point. And as far as a completely aesthetic issue... MAN I love slotted headstocks. I just can't get over them! If I'm going to be spending this much on an instrument, by golly it's going to have slots in the dang headstock! I also want to have a small personal touch, a symbol inlay on the fretboard to make this uniquely MY instrument. I'll leave that one a mystery until such a time as I actually place an order
So. For all of you who enjoy knowing this sort of thing, I'm looking specifically towards Mya-Moe. Hopefully by the time graduation rolls around, I'll be in a place where I know whether or not I can afford such a beautiful instrument, and if I can order it, I might have a wonderful instrument shipped to me whilst I'm at college
I've asked about inlay work, and they informed me of how that process works with their inlay artist. It will be an added cost, but it will certainly be worth it to me. I'm not going to upgrade unless it is EXACTLY the kind of instrument that I want.
For those of you who pray or wish to send good thoughts my way, I'd love it if you could pray for me as I look ahead to the end of my senior year, finish up schoolwork, and get my finances in order for college. Obviously education comes first, but a great instrument to have during my time away from home would be a real blessing. Thank you guys so much! I hope you have a great holiday season.
-Phil