I love building instruments that are close copies of what I have already made. In this case, the customer played Nicole’s uke at music camp and wanted one like it. But, I am a little hampered by the fact that the next two slices off the same board are going to look a bit different. Mother Nature just does what she wants and I follow along behind. Also, I need to have a little room for improvisation when it serves the final design. In this case, I chose a Texas ebony bridge because I really wanted a match to the sapwood on the fretboard and headplate. Also, I fell in love with this Mahogany for the neck and I knew it would look and feel great. In the end, it is close to Nicole’s uke but has a few unique features.

The Cherry for this was harvested by Larry and I from a local orchard. It would have been chipped or burned, so it is nice to save it and make something nice from it. I have more, if anyone is interested. I think it is suitable for top/back/sides, just like Koa, Mango or Mahogany would be.