Banjos and Ukuleles Handmade in Hood River, OR.  

Traditional craftsmanship, beautiful tone, domestic materials, easy playability and a classic aesthetic. 

The Beansprout, since 2007.  

Aaron and Nicole Keim live in Hood River, Oregon with their son Henry, building instruments, playing music, writing books, making art and embracing a hands-on life.  Aaron started Beansprout in 2007 with Heidi and Rob Litke (Red Sands Ukulele) in Broomfield, Colorado. They made 100+ instruments before Aaron moved to Oregon to work for Mya-Moe Ukuleles in 2011.  While at Mya-Moe under the guidance of Gordon and Char Mayer, Aaron's building skills blossomed while he learned the importance of customer service and keeping a focused shop schedule.  Most importantly, they gave Aaron the opportunity to work on the 2000+ instruments that Mya-Moe put out over these years.  In the meantime, Aaron developed an interest in domestic/local/salvaged woods, vintage woodworking equipment and traditional hand woodworking techniques. Since re-launching Beansprout, Aaron has consistently produced instruments that play easily and sound great in addition to being carefully built pieces of folk art.  Aaron and Nicole continue to perform and teach worldwide and publish books as The Quiet American.  Nicole also makes art as Marmalade Creations.