I have a very specific subtype of UAS, that isn't really UAS at all, I guess.
I 'need' to own only two very good ukes that are very special to me and have a 'spiritual' significance, and one beater. And that's it. I don't want to own more than that, at any time. Why? Because that's just what I'm like! I only play soprano now, believeing pompously that all true ukulele are soprano, and thus contorting myself at times to try to play stuff that clearly isn't meant for gCEA at that scale!
I recently sold Good Uke No.2, in preparation for the arrival of its successor in the previously described prescriptive stable.
So...new custom soprano coming for my birthday in September. I began to plan this and discuss it with the luthier quite a few months ago and have the thrill of being able to discuss pretty much every aspect of it, right down to the shape of the lower end of the finger board etc. The idea that this beautiful instrument will have been made specifically for me, is a massive buzz! I've bought the tuners (Grover Champion Deluxe) and sent them to the luthier. He's set aside the wood for the body from the last remaining bits of a lovely set that he'd been using. I've chosen the headstock shape etc. Only a few more bits of spec to confirm and then the blueprint will be ready!
As with all the small number of things in my life about which I'm very passionate, the anticipation of what is to come is almost as much fun as it arriving. It really is, as they say, better to travel...
Ben