Doc_J
Well-known member
It's been a little over 3 months since I asked Thomas if he would build a new Makapili tenor for me. My new Makapili tenor has arrived today, and it is wonderful.
Here’s the specs: Port Orford Cedar top and neck with a Spanish style heel, curly Claro walnut back, sides and headplate, rosewood fretboard and bridge, ebony sapwood markers. 13-frets to the body, 17 overall, black Gotoh UPT tuners.
Although it is not a fancy design, the result is stunning! All the elements work so well together. POC for the top and neck was the perfect visual complement to the beautiful dark curly Claro walnut body. The ebony sapwood looks great on the rosewood finger board. The uke is so light weight. The only 'imperfection' on the uke is nature, in the form of 2 tiny worm holes on the back. I think they look cool, and add character.
It is currently in B tuning and sounds awesome, very loud, very resonant. It has exceptional clarity and note definition, some of the best I have ever heard on a tenor, with very uniform volume and tone quality across the strings. Bass, treble, mid frequencies are all there. Each note sounds like it should. Many tenors have some sound element missing or off in re-entrant tuning, not this uke. And this is the first day, it will only sound better with time!
The fit and finish are smooth as silk. I prefer this thin semi-gloss oil finish to the thick glossy types. You can tell the uke is made of wood with this finish. The action and playability are just right for me.
Here’s a sound sample from day 1 in B tuning.
https://app.box.com/s/2bdtkum3fhiivdy9ovsm
More info on Makapili ukes at http://makapilimusic.com/
And here are some fresh pics of my beauty!
Here’s the specs: Port Orford Cedar top and neck with a Spanish style heel, curly Claro walnut back, sides and headplate, rosewood fretboard and bridge, ebony sapwood markers. 13-frets to the body, 17 overall, black Gotoh UPT tuners.
Although it is not a fancy design, the result is stunning! All the elements work so well together. POC for the top and neck was the perfect visual complement to the beautiful dark curly Claro walnut body. The ebony sapwood looks great on the rosewood finger board. The uke is so light weight. The only 'imperfection' on the uke is nature, in the form of 2 tiny worm holes on the back. I think they look cool, and add character.
It is currently in B tuning and sounds awesome, very loud, very resonant. It has exceptional clarity and note definition, some of the best I have ever heard on a tenor, with very uniform volume and tone quality across the strings. Bass, treble, mid frequencies are all there. Each note sounds like it should. Many tenors have some sound element missing or off in re-entrant tuning, not this uke. And this is the first day, it will only sound better with time!
The fit and finish are smooth as silk. I prefer this thin semi-gloss oil finish to the thick glossy types. You can tell the uke is made of wood with this finish. The action and playability are just right for me.
Here’s a sound sample from day 1 in B tuning.
https://app.box.com/s/2bdtkum3fhiivdy9ovsm
More info on Makapili ukes at http://makapilimusic.com/
And here are some fresh pics of my beauty!
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