This soprano ukulele grew out of my research into historic Hawaiian instruments of the 1880-1890’s. My model is based on an instrument called the Machete, a 4 string folk instrument that the first luthiers brought from Madeira. The scale length is 13.5” and the original tuning was dgbd, which changed over time to our familiar gcea. I used the tools, techniques and materials of the original builders with a few modern improvements. This is not a copy of one builder’s work, but instead my own design inspired by their output.

The top is Western Red Cedar from near Bend, OR, provided by luthier Jayson Bowerman. The curly Myrtle is from the Oregon Coast, from Kevin at woodfromthewest.com. The Walnut fretboard/headplate/bridge is from a local tree that I milled. The Cypress neck was salvaged from a factory tank. It has modern, geared Peghed brand tuners, modern frets in a flat fretboard, gut strings, bone nut and saddle and hand rubbed oil finish. It comes with a handmade wooden case, based off the originals, made from salvaged Fir and lined with cloth.