Any ukes with fish/dolphin designs?

NatalieS · Dec 16, 2008

Since haolejohn started a thread about a uniquely-designed uke, I thought I might do the same. I am obsessed with aquatic life (fish, marine mammals, you name it), and I'm always on the lookout for a unique uke with such animals incorporated into the design. So far I've found a few which I'll show below, but does anyone know of any more? I figured UU is about the only place I can ask this, because you guys definitely know your ukes.

Okay so far I know of:

G-String C1 Concert Dolphin

Makala MK-S

Leolani brand

Pono PSO-H Soprano I'a

russ_buss · Dec 16, 2008

mike dasilva made this fish one:

Kekani · Dec 16, 2008

Personally, for an aquatic theme (which my oldest son wants to do), Craig Lavin's work would be the inspiration for me.
http://www.handcraftinlay.com/inlaymarine.html

NatalieS · Dec 16, 2008

Kekani said:
Personally, for an aquatic theme (which my oldest son wants to do), Craig Lavin's work would be the inspiration for me.
http://www.handcraftinlay.com/inlaymarine.html

Wowwwwwwww that is awesome! Hmm, I wonder if he could do a dolphin inlay on my koa soprano's headstock?

Kanaka916 · Dec 16, 2008

From Ukulele Friend . . .
Pahu Kani
Kyle Iwamoto
Les Rietfors

Kekani · Dec 16, 2008

NatalieS said:
Hmm, I wonder if he could do a dolphin inlay on my koa soprano's headstock?

Dolphin's are easy, especially for someone like Craig who is at the top of his game. Probably cost you more than the `ukulele, then you have to pay someone else to get it refinished, but he could do it.

WS64 · Dec 16, 2008

Bernd (Fischkopp) from the German board took a ukulele (a US$15 Schaepe, actually a way better ukulele then you would guess at this price) and created this monster out of it:

hoosierhiver · Dec 16, 2008

I'd like to see an "otter" ukulele,otters seem very uke-friendly.

NatalieS · Jan 10, 2009

Okay, so I'm really excited about this.

I've decided to custom-paint a Flea to have an aqua blue background and a koi fish on it! From looking at the "Fluke and Flea Museum" sites online, I'm starting to notice how people really can make their own uke very individual. I'm not a good painter but I found a good simple painting that I think will work well as an inspiration to start with.

I am going to use acrylic paints for the fish but I'm wondering what I should use for the blue background? Nothing too thick, I would guess, because I don't want to dull the projection if I can help it. Should I start with a natural-colored flea to give me the barest canvas? Any ideas on this?

Whee I'm excited!

UKISOCIETY · Jan 10, 2009

NatalieS said:
Okay, so I'm really excited about this. I've decided to custom-paint a Flea to have an aqua blue background and a koi fish on it! From looking at the "Fluke and Flea Museum" sites online, I'm starting to notice how people really can make their own uke very individual. I'm not a good painter but I found a good simple painting that I think will work well as an inspiration to start with.

I am going to use acrylic paints for the fish but I'm wondering what I should use for the blue background? Nothing too thick, I would guess, because I don't want to dull the projection if I can help it. Should I start with a natural-colored flea to give me the barest canvas? Any ideas on this?

Whee I'm excited!

I've painted my Flea twice. It's my tradition now to paint it a different color every year. Big Problem with painting the body is that the more paint you put on it, the duller the sound. I started sanding my Flea down to the wood before repainting to keep the sound close to the uke's original. If you put more than 1 coat on your Flea, I'd reccomend you do the same.

Please post some pics when you're done!

NatalieS · Jan 10, 2009

Thanks so much for the advice! This is completely new to me, but I'm very excited to have a new project.

P.S. Are you in L'ville, UKISOCIETY? I'm a Bellarmine grad.

Captain Google · Jan 10, 2009

Hmm... Next time I actually have spending money, I should buy a flea. Then find someone to paint it for me. I need to decide on a theme... Maybe a Boogiepop Phantom paint scheme. Just for the irony. [/threadjack]

UKISOCIETY · Jan 10, 2009

NatalieS said:
Thanks so much for the advice! This is completely new to me, but I'm very excited to have a new project.

P.S. Are you in L'ville, UKISOCIETY? I'm a Bellarmine grad.

Fleas are pretty durable, so they're good to experiment on.
Yes, I work in Louisville at the Public Radio stations. My wife got her MAT at Bellarmine.

myloshylow · Jan 10, 2009

Not a fish or dolphin but here's a vintage Roy Smeck Vita with seals, that's aquatic themed right?

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/180U-214.htm

NatalieS · Jan 10, 2009

Haha thats very neat! Thanks for sharing...

wickedwahine11 · Jan 11, 2009

Kekani said:
Personally, for an aquatic theme (which my oldest son wants to do), Craig Lavin's work would be the inspiration for me.
http://www.handcraftinlay.com/inlaymarine.html

Wow, those are really nice. That orca is pretty cool.

NatalieS · Jan 11, 2009

http://flukemuseum.blogspot.com/2007/05/humuhumu-fluke.html

I think this custom paint job is just breathtaking.

Captain Google · Jan 11, 2009

NatalieS, you are right about that. It is gorgeous.

NatalieS · Jan 13, 2009

Eek, MGM has the cutest little Tangi sopranino with an inlayed fish on the headstock! I want it so bad!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tangi-Sopranino...911.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:15|39:1|240:1318

NatalieS · Jan 20, 2009

Okay so this isn't a uke, but rather a mini guitar. Isn't it cuuuuute?? The price isn't so shabby either, but all of my attempts at guitar have failed pretty badly. Still... slap some nylon strings on it and could sound pretty funky!

http://www.lunaguitars.com/acousticproduct/aurmmm.php

Any ukes with fish/dolphin designs?

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