Steve in Kent
Well-known member
Well,
I have bit the bullet and paid the deposit for a custom ukulele.
I was very taken with the Pono Macassar Ebony series but they are very difficult to get in the UK so decided to look at pursuing the bespoke route.
This is going to be a 65th birthday present from my wife, (will probably include Christmas too ).
I contacted a few luthiers, both well known, and not so well known, with my original specification and after a fair amount of emails going back and forth decided to go with Marshall Stapleton.
Marshall is well known, down to earth, and very honest when discussing the specification, also his enthusiasm just came across in his emails.
Some of you may have heard of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Marshall has both played for, (along with George Hinchliffe and a few others, the embryonic Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain was started), and supplied ukuleles to the UOGB.
http://marshallstapleton.wix.com/guitars#!
My original specification was
Macassar ebony back and sides
Cedar top
Slotted headstock
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Fretboard bound with maple
Ebony faceplate on the headstock
Maple binding
After a few emails with Marshall it's currently standing at
Macassar ebony back and sides
Torrefied spruce top
Additional sound hole on upper bout
Slotted headstock
Conical fretboard
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Fretboard bound with maple
Ebony faceplate on the headstock
Maple binding
Other details such nut width, bridge type, rosette design etc., (I really like his rosette designs, and it will be difficult to choose), will be discussed as and when required.
I asked Marshall about the pros and cons of a radiused fretboard, and he says he prefers a conical fretboard, so that's that decided.
I originally wanted a cedar top but then, after a lot of Google searches about tonewoods, read about torrefied spruce. Marshall was interested in using this top, so I've decided to go for it as it's something different, and it is a custom build after all.
Marshall has kindly agreed to let me post images of the build here, so hopefully I'll be able to share what will be, for me, an exciting next few months.
He is currently quite busy so don't I do not expect anything soon, but couldn't wait to share
I have bit the bullet and paid the deposit for a custom ukulele.
I was very taken with the Pono Macassar Ebony series but they are very difficult to get in the UK so decided to look at pursuing the bespoke route.
This is going to be a 65th birthday present from my wife, (will probably include Christmas too ).
I contacted a few luthiers, both well known, and not so well known, with my original specification and after a fair amount of emails going back and forth decided to go with Marshall Stapleton.
Marshall is well known, down to earth, and very honest when discussing the specification, also his enthusiasm just came across in his emails.
Some of you may have heard of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Marshall has both played for, (along with George Hinchliffe and a few others, the embryonic Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain was started), and supplied ukuleles to the UOGB.
http://marshallstapleton.wix.com/guitars#!
My original specification was
Macassar ebony back and sides
Cedar top
Slotted headstock
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Fretboard bound with maple
Ebony faceplate on the headstock
Maple binding
After a few emails with Marshall it's currently standing at
Macassar ebony back and sides
Torrefied spruce top
Additional sound hole on upper bout
Slotted headstock
Conical fretboard
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Fretboard bound with maple
Ebony faceplate on the headstock
Maple binding
Other details such nut width, bridge type, rosette design etc., (I really like his rosette designs, and it will be difficult to choose), will be discussed as and when required.
I asked Marshall about the pros and cons of a radiused fretboard, and he says he prefers a conical fretboard, so that's that decided.
I originally wanted a cedar top but then, after a lot of Google searches about tonewoods, read about torrefied spruce. Marshall was interested in using this top, so I've decided to go for it as it's something different, and it is a custom build after all.
Marshall has kindly agreed to let me post images of the build here, so hopefully I'll be able to share what will be, for me, an exciting next few months.
He is currently quite busy so don't I do not expect anything soon, but couldn't wait to share