New Maccaferri Style Ukes

RichM · Oct 3, 2012

I just saw that Shelley Park is producing a Maccaferri-influenced line of ukes under the name Moodyville Ukulele Company. Shelley is extremely well-known and respected for her Selmer-style guitars. I haven't had the opportunity to play one, but they look really nice. Fairly unadorned, with no binding or inlay, save a rosette. Very puzzled by the width of the fretboard, which looks quite narrow.

I saw these at the Bluedog Guitars website in Vancouver. I have no connection to either builder or retailer, just really interested in the Maccaferri style for ukes, having two myself (by Michael Dunn and Luis Feu de Mesquita).

collarbone · Oct 3, 2012

I think the neck width might be an illusion. I think the neck only looks thin because the body is so wide. They say it has 1 5/8" string spacing. I think they might mean nut width or saddle width because that would be a huge amount of space between the strings. I live not too far from there so next time I am in North Van I'll drop buy and give it a strum.

buddhuu · Oct 4, 2012

Oh my. I like.

OldePhart · Oct 4, 2012

collarbone said:
I think the neck width might be an illusion. I think the neck only looks thin because the body is so wide. They say it has 1 5/8" string spacing. I think they might mean nut width or saddle width because that would be a huge amount of space between the strings. I live not too far from there so next time I am in North Van I'll drop buy and give it a strum.

Usually when string spacing is quoted with a large number like that they're talking about the space across the outer strings. 1-5/8" spacing at the saddle would be right in the ballpark of "normal."

John

RichM · Oct 4, 2012

Here's how Luis Feu de Mesquita does it:

And here's the Michael Dunn version:

ramone · Oct 4, 2012

wow, both are beautiful!

ukulelecowboy · Oct 5, 2012

These are really beautiful instruments. Turns out that Po Mahina builds one as well.

http://konaweb.com/mahina/uku_jazz.html

and, of course, the Kepasa Gypsy Rose Lee:

http://kepasaukulele.com/models-pics/tenor5.jpg

Interesting that except for the Michael Dunn instrument, all are fixed bridge. Also, these luthiers only seem to build this style in tenor scale. Wonder why?

And finally, Tony Graziano just added this beauty to his catalogue with a fixed or floating bridge option:

http://www.grazianoukuleles.com/selmer_style.html

Paul December · Oct 5, 2012

They remind me of this.

FiL · Oct 5, 2012

I really love this style of ukulele. If someone made an 8-string variety and I was independently wealthy, I'd be all over it. That Luis Feu de Mesquita is beautiful.

- FiL

Pundabaya · Oct 8, 2012

RichM said:
I just saw that Shelley Park is producing a Maccaferri-influenced line of ukes under the name Moodyville Ukulele Company. Shelley is extremely well-known and respected for her Selmer-style guitars. I haven't had the opportunity to play one, but they look really nice. Fairly unadorned, with no binding or inlay, save a rosette. Very puzzled by the width of the fretboard, which looks quite narrow.

I saw these at the Bluedog Guitars website in Vancouver. I have no connection to either builder or retailer, just really interested in the Maccaferri style for ukes, having two myself (by Michael Dunn and Luis Feu de Mesquita).

I fancy a licorice allsort now, for some reason.

Doc_J · Jul 15, 2013

I really like the Maccaferri style ukes, too. They add some depth in sound, aside from looking great. Thought I'd post some pics and a sound clip with my three Gypsy Tenors (after a suggestion from a friend). So here they are: Moodyville Gypsy Jazz, Louis Feu de Mesquita Amigo, and Kepasa Gypsy Rose.

Moodyville Gypsy Jazz has a sitka spruce top and English walnut body with Worth Brown strings. Louis Feu de Mesquita AMIGO XVIII has a Sinker Redwood top with Ziricote body and curly maple bindings with Aquila Nylgut low G strings. Kepasa Gypsy Rose has a red spruce top and Rosewood body with Savarez strings in low G.

Sound clip of all 3 :https://app.box.com/s/0um969huim1wdgxumfsj

pics

More details on each can be found in older threads.

LFdM:http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?79976-Introducing-Amigo-XIX-LFdM-Tenor-Ukulele/page8&highlight=luis+amigo
Kepasa: http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?81479-Savavez-strings-amp-low-g-completely-change-a-uke!&highlight=gypsy+rose+tenor
Moodyville: http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?81740-Moodyville-Tenor-Build-Update&highlight=moodyville

RichM · Jul 15, 2013

:::swoons:::

What beautiful ukes! Talk about a man after my own heart...

hawaii 50 · Jul 16, 2013

Dennis Lake has been building ukes like these since 2003...check it out at

http://www.pomahina.com/ukulele/models

Dan Uke · Jul 16, 2013

Hodge,

All your ukes sound good!! I too am a fan of the shape!

Walden · Jul 16, 2013

This is what a real Maccaferri uke looks like.

Yeah... yeah... I know we're not talking about wooden knock offs of Maccaferri's plastic ukes. We're talking about wooden ukes based on his wooden guitar design.

ichadwick · Jul 16, 2013

Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!

Sorry. Just my UAS acting up.... carry on.

Nickie · Jul 17, 2013

Wow, some very very pretty looking ukes....what intersting soundhole shapes...reminds me of Django Reinhardt's guitar....

New Maccaferri Style Ukes

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