This project started last fall when I bought a pallet of firewood off Craigslist. It was mostly scraps from a farm sawmill and I decided to keep a few for projects. I stacked them in the shop to dry out for a few months before starting on a uke. As you know, I regularly use fir for ukes, but it’s mainly old growth salvaged wood, which has a fine grain to it and is very strong and light. This second growth wood is a little heavier and wider grained. I thought it would be a fun experiment. After all, if I don’t like it I can just burn it! I used walnut for binding and neck stripe and maple for fretboard, headplate and bridge. The fretboard is also an experiment for me, as it was stabilized with resin to make it harder and stiffer, which I think is a good move. I got it from woodfromthewest.com.

I like the sound a feel of this uke a lot. The whole thing hums and vibrates with a mid range intensity that I like. Sort of like a flamenco guitar vs a concert grade classical guitar. I plan on keeping this for myself, unless one of you swoops in. After all, I’ve got more firewood!

See below for an extra gallery of in process photos.