New Uke Day (NUD) NUD - Pohaku Soprano, Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany

[hands_on_lanzon]

It's been a while for me! A few reasons... my taste has settled, my stable has stabilized, aaaaand I had couple custom orders in the hands of builders.

One of those customs was strung up yesterday so, of course, I drove 3.5hrs to go pick it up today!

As you can tell from the thread title, it's my new Pohaku Soprano from Peter Hurney, made of cuban mahogany from Hawaii.

The strings are still stretching and of course it's gonna go thru a little break in period, but it's warm and punchy. Here's a few pics of us, the uke, and Peter feeling out my ol' National reso.

 

[TBB]

Be still, my heart! I’ve been working very hard to convince myself that I really do NOT need a mahogany Pohaku soprano, this is not helping. (I’m also very jealous that you were able to go and pick it up!)
I look forward to hearing your thoughts when it’s had a chance to settle, in the meantime, congratulations!

 

[DownUpDave]

That is gorgeous. Really nice curly mahogonay is a thing of beauty and yours has that in spades. I image it sounds as good as it looks being a Pohaku, enjoy.

 

[Captain Simian]

I love how simple and classy the fret markers look. Very nice.

 

[ploverwing]

This is a beauty! Wow, the grain!! I am so looking forward to hearing more about it when it's had a chance to settle in and you've had a chance to get to know it.

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

Thanks @DownUpDave and @TBB ! I'll definitely keep you updated.

i realized i forgot to post this UAS triggering pic of some others he made recently. The far right is a deep body concert that sounds a bit warmer than his normal concert and concert 10. This was a custom order for some lucky customer.

The left 3 are available... the middle is a nice bright koa concert, then a tenor reso and the concert 10 on the far left might've been my favorite. It's another Hawaiian Cuban mahogany with a cool art deco finish and eclipse theme on the fret markers and sound hole. Almost had me going home with two ukes!! Stayed strong, remembering my two lovely concerts back home. (sigh)

 

[TerryM]

Congratulations. Can't wait to hear a sample.

I have a tenor in the pipeline whenever Peter can get to it. Had Claro walnut for the back and sides shipped to him and it's stabilizing in his shop.

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

Can't wait to hear a sample.

well, wait you shan't! Here's a sound sample and comparison with my other sopranos. I did this quickly to share but also selfishly, so I can capture the sound with the current Aquila strings and switch 'em out with little remorse. I'm hoping I have some Worths in stock that'll fit nicely!

 

[Smallchewbacca]

I really enjoy it’s tone. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Voran]

Fiery. I like. Basically a balayage.

 

[CPG]

Awesome! Peter makes amazing instruments. I love my Pohaku soprano. Congrats!

 

[EDW]

Sounds great and I like the sound of the Aquilas on there

 

[hendulele]

Love them all! What strings do you have on the Kamaka?

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

Love them all! What strings do you have on the Kamaka?

ahhh i realized I didn't mention that in the video... probably because I wasn't sure at the time. Now I'm 90something% sure I have a D'Addario set on there. Whether they're nylon or nyltech is the question!

Fiery. I like. Basically a balayage.

I had to look this word up. I love learning new vocabulary! And yes... I love that it fits an in between tone of its own.

 

[heyeliza]

Congrats! It’s so neat to see his studio there, we miss him here in the Bayarea. He’s building me a baritone and I’m so looking forward to it.

 

[TerryM]

...He’s building me a baritone and I’m so looking forward to it.

Likewise, only mine's a tenor. I've had a couple of Peter's ukes but first time having him build one. He's great to work with.

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

He’s building me a baritone and I’m so looking forward to it.

Likewise, only mine's a tenor. I've had a couple of Peter's ukes but first time having him build one. He's great to work with.

If yours are the WIP ukes I saw in his controlled humidity room, they're looking gorgeous!

I should be careful posting pics, so as not to ruin a potential reveal moment. I imagine some people enjoy seeing pics of their ukes beforehand while others might really enjoy that case opening experience.

 

[TerryM]

If yours are the WIP ukes I saw in his controlled humidity room, they're looking gorgeous!

I should be careful posting pics, so as not to ruin a potential reveal moment. I imagine some people enjoy seeing pics of their ukes beforehand while others might really enjoy that case opening experience.

I enjoy seeing them progress. Peter has already sent a shot of the back pieces joined along with neck choices. Back and sides are walnut, and he recommended maple over cedar or walnut for the neck. I'd probably have gone with walnut but deferred to his sense of style.

 

[JHBlues]

Such a gorgeous Uku and understated elegance!