Aesthetic Requirements for Customs???

Dan Uke · Apr 30, 2013

Are there any things you must have on a custom ordered uke?

For me, I need bound fretboard as I hate seeing the ends of the fret. It's even worse when I see the hammered part a little crooked, there's some space, and worst of all, it gets dirt or greenish mold in the crevices.

I really like slotted headstocks and that is dictated more by the price but not necessary.

What are other things you need on your custom order?

fumanshu · Apr 30, 2013

For me the absolute must is a slotted headstock!!!!!!!! I just love that look!!!!!

https://soundcloud.com/baouke/star-filante-by-caro-bao .....new duet....

bborzell · Apr 30, 2013

With any stringed instrument other than violins or cellos which rarely come with embellishments, I like to start out looking for flawless joinery. I have picked up a few fabulous looking instruments that began to quickly diminish in my eyes upon closer inspection. To me, finish flaws are a fairly reliable indicator of structural issues.

That said, I like wood binding on both top, back and fretboard. I never really thought much about rosettes as most of my instruments have f holes. That changed when I first saw the MP I recently purchased. Luckily for me, all the rosette inlay is wood which I much prefer to shell inlays.

I never knew that I would come to prefer a slot head on a uke. I have a very old Kay classical guitar with a slot head and it has always seemed a bit crude to me. The slot head and hi tech Gotoh tuners that came on the MP changed that view for me.

Figured wood is a mixed bag, in my view. I would rather have well balanced tonewoods that reveal little grain activity than a highly figured wood that does not sound as good.

Headstocks on ukes seem to get a fair amount of graphic treatment and, while I can appreciate the skill and artistry that went into the creation, I prefer a minimal logo. I am a sucker for creativily carved/shaped bridges, though.

BIGDB · Apr 30, 2013

Same with the slotted have to have it and have to have a pick up and a radiused fretboard

weerpool · Apr 30, 2013

super lightweight, 12,324,934,943 pieces of brazillian rosewood and other exotic woods marquetry rosette, illegally bought abalone shell inlay of my name in mandarin and in reverse italics. an inlayed Mona lisa on the back...with aquila strings.

Doc_J · Apr 30, 2013

Have the luthier do what they know they do best. Don't ask the luthier to do work out of his/her comfort zone.

Hippie Dribble · Apr 30, 2013

weerpool said:
super lightweight, 12,324,934,943 pieces of brazillian rosewood and other exotic woods marquetry rosette, illegally bought abalone shell inlay of my name in mandarin and in reverse italics. an inlayed Mona lisa on the back...with aquila strings.

eeeeeooooh yes brother. Can you build me one like that but with an inlay of a bald, fat guy :drool:

ukestah · Apr 30, 2013

nongdam said:
Are there any things you must have on a custom ordered uke?

For me, I need bound fretboard as I hate seeing the ends of the fret. It's even worse when I see the hammered part a little crooked, there's some space, and worst of all, it gets dirt or greenish mold in the crevices.

I really like slotted headstocks and that is dictated more by the price but not necessary.

What are other things you need on your custom order?

Awww Dan, you don't like my Kerry Char tenor then? LoL

Trinimon · Apr 30, 2013

If slotted headstock is an option, I'm down for that. Other options I like would be rosewood or ebony binding and a rosette, add an ebony fretboard and headstock. Oh, and ebony buttons on the tuner to match the headstock.

Dan Uke · Apr 30, 2013

ukestah said:
Awww Dan, you don't like my Kerry Char tenor then? LoL

Shoots...I'll make an exception and take it off your hands. Yours is so beautiful that I didn't look at the fretboard...hehehe

gyosh · Apr 30, 2013

ZERO bling!!

Apparently, and I didn't know this before reading another thread, bling negates all positive tonal qualities in ukuleles.

coolkayaker1 · Apr 30, 2013

gloss gloss and more gloss

Paul December · Apr 30, 2013

coolkayaker1 said:
gloss gloss and more gloss

...and even more GLOSS

Dan Uke · Apr 30, 2013

Paul December said:
...and even more GLOSS

+ 1 on that...I want to see my reflection!!

hawaii 50 · Apr 30, 2013

nongdam said:
Shoots...I'll make an exception and take it off your hands. Yours is so beautiful that I didn't look at the fretboard...hehehe

I hear it is for sale..at the right price...

coolkayaker1 · Apr 30, 2013

Hey, I just thought of something else I'd want on a custom: gloss.

Stevelele · Apr 30, 2013

I require that my customs come with a cup holder--serving a dual purpose of humidifying the uke and quenching my thirst

coolkayaker1 said:
Hey, I just thought of something else I'd want on a custom: gloss.

coolkayaker1 · Apr 30, 2013

Stevelele said:
I require that my customs come with a cup holder--serving a dual purpose of humidifying the uke and quenching my thirst

Someone beat you to the punch: a fellow on UU named syfc wanted a drink holder on his custom, too.

sukie · Apr 30, 2013

It had to have a flamingo. The rest I could negotiate. But I didn't have to.

Patrick Madsen · Apr 30, 2013

Radiused fretboard.A thin, low fast action neck. Perhaps a side soundhole in the upper bout. Anything else is gravy.

Aesthetic Requirements for Customs???

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