#485- Spruce and Walnut Tenor Ukulele

If I needed to make one model that I thought could do it all, I think a spruce and walnut tenor might be it. Loud and sweet with good depth and sustain. Set with easy action and playability, it is ready to gig. I loved picking beautiful but simple materials for this one too: both the spruce top and walnut back sides were cut from one long piece to “force” a pseudo book match. It’s a thrifty way to use wood and makes for a subtle asymmetry that I like. The walnut is an orphaned wall panel from Goby in Portland and the spruce is old growth Sitka cut for dulcimers in the 1960’s. The pistachio is from California orchards and the mahogany neck is from the Carpenter ant stash.

“Dear Aaron and Nicole,

Thank you for this wonderful instrument! Arrived safe and sound in Hungary today. It is amazingly resonant and I really love the wood selection and that each part has a story.

Wish you all the best!
- Z. S. ”

#486- Port Orford Cedar and Curly Maple Alto Ukulele

This one hits all the marks for the Beansprout vibe: crazy figured wood paired with other humble materials, salvaged, repurposed and sustainable sourcing, easy playability and great tone. Don’t forget the single nail hole to keep us humble. The curly/spalted/quilted maple back and sides came from Char from Mya-Moe. She often saved pieces like this for me as she knew I was pretty adventurous. The pistachio fretboard, headplate and bridge feature some nice sapwood and are from California orchards. The old growth fir neck is from a floor joist. The simple walnut binding adds a nice contrast and ties it all together.

#484- Curly Maple and Pistachio Mini Five String Banjo

When I designed this instrument, I really though that most people would want it tuned in open c, a high tuning that matches its smaller size. But, its been far more poplar in open g, standard banjo tuning, with heavier strings. It really has found a place amongst people who need a smaller or lighter banjo because of physical issues in particular. Yes, the small size can’t produce the same volume as a big banjo, but it is a beautiful and rich tone that does cut through the mix. This one features amber stained curly maple from the Carpenter Ant stash, ball shoes, a brass arm rest, a goat skin head and pistachio from California orchards.

“I have received the banjo. It is beautiful to look at and a joy to play! Thank you.
- G. C. ”

#487- Spruce and Maple Scout Ukulele

As you may imagine, I often think about shop work in musical terms. It has a rhythm to it, with repetitive yet enjoyable tasks aligning to make a beautiful product. Some days I feel like a composer in the shop, other days a jazz musician, sometimes a conductor, other days a copyist. For this instrument, I started with the quilted maple back and sides and let it lead me, piece by piece, to all the other woods that would complete it. Improvisation is not “faking it,” it is the task of drawing from years of training and experience to create something new, within an agreed upon framework. In this case, the customer wanted a scout ukulele and the rest was up to me. After I chose the back and sides, I added the Oregon spruce top from Camp Westwind and a neck from Douglas fir floorboards. The fretboard and headplate are a scrap from making my own work bench and come from salvaged beams from the Carpenter Ant stash. All these light colored woods needed some contrast, so it is wrapped up in black walnut trim. As I put it in the case after snapping these photos, it feels like putting away a song, but the best part is that it has its own songs to sing when the case is opened again.

#476- Curly Maple and Pistachio Five String Banjo

I have more banjo orders coming up than normal this year, so I was feeling the need to dial in the process more and make some new jigs and fixtures. This banjo helped tweak and develop the process, which will hopefully lead to more accuracy and efficiency. The combination of a maple block rim, a skin head and non-steel strings make for a cheerful sound that I really like. It’s got plenty of volume, but is still sweet and not over powering. The amazing curly maple for this was from Zena forest products in Salem, OR. The pistachio is from California orchards.

“My new banjo, Annie, has arrived! It is absolutely gorgeous. We have been bonding this afternoon. I am beginning to get used to the non-steel strings, and with the goat skin head, the tone is nice and “plunky”. It has enough volume for playing on the back porch while not upsetting the neighbors. I am blessed to own such a beautiful, one of a kind instrument. Thank you!

[One Week Update]:

Hey Aaron,
I had to let you know... after playing for a week now, I am absolutely in love 🥰 with my banjo - exactly the way you made it. It is absolutely perfect in every way. Thank you! 🪕
-C. M. ”

#490- Curly Walnut and Pistachio Tenor Banjo Ukulele

Nicole and I have spent a lot of time thinking and feeling lately about how the world can be better. Some of our ideas are short term and immediate and some are long term and more subtle. One of the best things I think we can do is continue to produce long lasting objects of functional art; artistic tools that can outlast the current problems and be ready to pitch in for the next crisis as well. This banjo also has the bonus that the music that it makes has the potential to brighten spirits, change minds and at least produce beautiful music. So, here it is. Ready for whatever. Curly Oregon walnut from a retiring furniture maker, pistachio from California orchards.

#482- Spruce and Walnut Baritone Ukulele

Lately I’ve been interested in art that is humble by design. Simple things that function well and look tidy. I find that a humble design leaves room for your eye and hand to work harder to find the nuances. I went about choosing materials for this build with this in mind. Walnut wall panels for the back and sides, old growth dulcimer spruce for the top, pistachio from California orchards and an old growth fir floor joist for the neck. The curly maple binding wraps it up well, I think. This goes to an old friend who I know will use it well.

“Aaron and Nicole,
My baritone uke was delivered just a bit ago. You know, you are making me tear up again, first when I opened the case and lifted it out and held my new instrument, then several more when I strummed it and played a few notes. I know this is an overused word, but it is simply amazing. I was impressed just watching the video, but seeing, holding and playing it, it blows me away. You are right, it does vibrate, I love it!
Thanks again, I will have fun this weekend getting to know my baritone. Have a good weekend!
- J. B. ”

#481- Spruce and Walnut Baritone Ukulele

This instrument is for a fellow upright bass player! Even though I built it the same for him as I would anyone else, maybe the kinship comes through somehow. The wide grain Oregon spruce top (from Camp Westwind) defies all traditional logic. Despite it’s fast growth and wide grain, it is very stiff, allowing me to thin it down to where it sounds incredible but remains stable. It also has a lot of visual character, which ukulele customers appreciate more than other customers, I think. The curly walnut back and sides comes from the scrap bin at Goby and is a perfect foil for the spruce top. The grafted pistachio fretboard, headplate and bridge come from California orchards and the fir neck is from and old floor joist.

“Hi Nicole and Aaron,

I’m really loving the new uke! My previous baritone is an old no-name mahogany so this is an upgrade in every way. I like that it’s comfortable to play in the higher registers and the curve at the neck heel is perfect for quickly finding the 10th fret C. If I want to strum loudly I can rest my arm on the body to get some “compression,” but lift my arm off for more dynamic range when fingerpicking. The neck is really comfortable and I like the thick fretboard, just looks amazing. Thank you so much for your dedication to your craft. I had never played a Beansprout before but I knew if it sounded that good over the internet then it must be special. Right on!

Attached is a picture of me with uke. Best of luck for the future!

- J. M. ”

#480- Mastergrade Myrtle Tenor Ukulele- Nicole Signature Model

This was a special opportunity given to us by a long term customer. He asked for me to build an instrument as close as possible to Nicole’s ukulele, #444, including some of the same special handmade details. When I re-sawed the board for her ukulele, I worked hard to get four slices, which allowed me to make a close copy. The most dramatic part of this build is the one piece top and back with the swooping, angled grain. It has hand carved walnut tuning knobs, wooden fret markers, special purfling, wooden strap buttons, curly maple binding and a bird’s eye maple bridge. We feel lucky and honored to have the support of customers like this, who really appreciate the extra work it takes to make a special uke. The Myrtle is from a roadside stand on the Oregon coast, the fir neck is from an old floor board and the walnut and maple are from the Carpenter ant stash in Portland.

#475- Myrtle Scout Ukulele

Myrtle from the scrap bin, walnut from old wall panels, Douglas fir floorboard neck. My design based on the old Washburn Camp Ukulele. Soprano scale, flat fretboard, geared tuners, brass strap buttons, fluorocarbon strings, gig bag included. A charming musical companion, handmade and unique!

#477- Walnut and Pistachio Concert Banjo Ukulele

The walnut and pistachio concert banjo uke has become one of our standard models and I’m happy to make another. This one is going to an artist in the UK who has been a long term customer, Stephen Wragg, who has a lovely family band and runs an ukulele club in St Albans. I had fun with the multi colored pistachio on this one to contrast with the more subtle walnut. The pistachio comes from California orchards and the walnut is old air dried stuff from Missouri, harvested from a customer’s family land.

“Hi Aaron and Nicole,

Banjo Uke has arrived and I love it, so beautifully made. It’s wonderful, and so comfortable to play too.

I am in awe of how you do it…

Am having fun playing with the foam block and hearing the differences.

Thank you so much, and keep well, and will be in touch soon!

All the best,
- S.W. ”

#479- Mastergrade Myrtle Tenor Ukulele

Myrtle. Wow. This stuff looks and sounds amazing. I am so lucky to get to use such a fine material that is also harvested in my region in a sustainable way. This set looks like it has scorch marks in the grain, so I continued the theme by picking other parts that hinted it at as well. The fir neck comes from old floor joists, the Myrtle and pistachio are from woodfromthewest.com.

“Aaron,

I just wanted to let you know that my ukulele arrived yesterday and was in perfect condition. Wow, I couldn’t be more pleased with this instrument.

First, I appreciate your philosophy of primarily using local and salvaged wood in your instruments. The care and thought that you give to each of your instruments shows in all the details and the quality of your work.

Visually, this instrument is stunning. The master grade myrtle that you matched for the front and back with the dark grains going up the face immediately catches the eye. I also appreciate the contrast of how the sides are darker, which is similar to the look of my Beansprout baritone. From the headplate down the pistachio fretboard, through the body, the lines give this instrument personality. Even the little racing flame on the fir neck and tying in the bridge to the body with the dark grain helped tie everything together.

Most importantly I was captivated by the sound of this instrument. Of all the instruments I have played, including some really high-end tenor ukes made in Hawaii, this immediately captured me. The first thing I said to my wife after playing it was, ”this is the sound I’ve been looking for”. I don’t know what specific elements caused that, but I want to say thank you for all the thought and skill you put into this instrument.

This instrument captured not only the visual esthetics of my eyes but captured my soul through the sound.

One last thing, it feels really nice to hold. Very balanced and light weight. This didn’t translate to a light or thin sound. The sound and its overtones are by far richer and more robust than any of the other tenors I compared it to.

I feel very fortunate and honored to have this new Beansprout myrtle, pistachio and fir instrument as well as the baritone and tenor banjo in my collection. I look forward to continuing to make music and sharing these instruments with others.

Thank you also Nicole for your part and artistry in creating Beansprout instruments.

Aaron, Nicole, and Henry, take care, stay safe and stay well.

- D. B. ”

#478- Maple and Pistachio Four String Banjo

I designed this banjo as an all around size that would sound great with steel or non-steel strings and various tunings. This one is going to the customer tuned dgbe with my set of fluorocarbon and wound strings. It has a big dynamic range, is easy to play and feels balanced in my lap. The tone is bright but sweet with nice sustain. The pistachio comes from California orchards, the maple is Henry’s dance floor maple, found at an estate sale.

“I received my new baritone banjo ukulele in excellent condition and it sounds great. Thank you. These instruments were made with love and that is a mystical and magic additive that few other instruments have. As a retired physician, one of the best gifts that you can give to the medical personnel, who are on the front lines battling the virus for all of us and are subject to all the emotional damage that comes their way, is a musical instrument like the ones you make by hand. It is a spiritual awakening and re-humanization that may save and preserve the lives of the caretakers. You guys have a special purpose in life!
- E. S. ”

#474- Port Orford Cedar and Pistachio Tenor Ukulele

This one is for a long time customer who has some recent physical challenges. The first is an issue with her eyesight which has made it impossible to see the side fret markers on her instruments unless they are white on black. Also, problems with her left hand means that she needs a thinner neck than I normally do as well as a flat instead of a radiused fretboard. Instead of altering her existing instruments we decided to build a new one that would address both issues. The first thing that will stand out to you is my choice of ebony for the fretboard, a wood I don’t normally use, but will allow her to see the fret markers. Since I don’t keep any on hand and didn’t want to support ebony harvesting by buying new ebony, I called my friend Ben Bonham who kept a box of ebony scraps from when we worked for Mya-Moe and grabbed what I need. From a design perspective, I knew that if I used ebony for the fretboard, I would need to use it all around, so it is on the headplate, bridge and binding as well. The top is one piece port Orford cedar from the Oregon coast and the pistachio is from California orchards thanks to to woodfromthewest.com. I hope this uke meets her needs, it was a nice challenge!

“It’s even more beautiful than your excellent photos! And the neck is a dream, I can play closed chords all the way up. I can see both the dots and the strings perfectly and I could not be happier. Thanks so much for all your efforts, securing the ebony was a step beyond. All deeply appreciated.
- L. B.
”

#473- Curly Myrtle Alto Ukulele

It’s rare that I find time to get out a stock instrument and this alto is a sweet one. Curly Myrtle for the body, crazy pistachio for the fretboard and Douglas fir floor boards for the neck. She’s headed to a lucky customer in North Carolina!

“The curly myrtle alto arrived today and it’s even more beautiful, both in sound and appearance, than it was on your website. The simple, but very wonderful, construction really allows the beauty of the wood to be the dominant feature.

- J. D. ”

#464- Fir and Walnut Tenor Ukulele

I built this one in February and March with my limited shop time while I was recovering from my ankle surgery. I prepped the parts before the surgery so I could sit down and just do the hand work. I’ve been playing this one for lots of our online music events during quarantine, but it is time for it to find its real home. It’s on its way to a customer in Montana. The old growth fir neck and top are salvaged from floor joists. The walnut back and sides and pistachio fretboard are from California orchards. It is an all west coast instrument with a cheery voice and easy playability.

“Aaron,

I just got my uke, and man is it beautiful! Sounds great too. I am thoroughly enjoying playing it and I am certain it will be a good friend for many years. Thank you for sharing your craftsmanship and love of music with the world.
- K. G.”

#472- Curly Port Orford Cedar and Curly Walnut Baritone Ukulele

A baritone ukulele tuned gcea? Yes, it’s possible, but will it sound good? Totally. It just takes a special string set, a light build and an open mind. This one is for a long term customer/patron and I really wanted to do it right. Curly Port Orford cedar, curly walnut and pistachio sustainability harvested by woodfromthewest.com. Hemlock for the neck salvaged from a pig barn in The Dalles, OR by Portland Salvage Works.

“Aaron and Nicole
The baritone ukulele arrived today. It is beautiful and I love the look, feel and sound. I was a little concerned that it would be hard to play with string tension set up for gCEA but no problem. It plays beautifully. Thanks for a beautiful instrument.
- S. S. ”

#468- Curly Walnut and Pistachio Five String Banjo

Curly walnut is a beautiful wood and difficult to come by. This board from Goby in Portland is multi-colored, swirly, knotty and filled with character. It was a real challenge to get the whole rim and neck from the one board, but I really wanted it to match. The rim is 12” across and features a wooden tone ring and goat skin head, which give it depth, warmth and character. But, I’ve started making the rims a little thinner, which gives it more vibrancy and volume. A really nice combination overall. The walnut is so crazy looking that I chose plain pistachio from California orchards for the fretboard and trim. This was a challenging build for me, as the larger rim maxes out my tooling capacity, but the beautiful sound made it all worthwhile.

“Hi Aaron,
Just wanted to let you know that #468 arrived today, safe and sound. Got her all tuned up and I’ve been playing it in between meetings I’ve had today.

It’s absolutely beautiful — and the sound of it really, really resonates with me. The action feels spot on. The wood is gorgeous. Your craftsmanship is amazing.

My husband Jody, who doesn’t play an instrument, commented to me today about the sound of your banjo: “It’s mellow and round.”

I’m looking forward to getting to know this banjo. Lots of playing ahead!

Thank you,
- J. E. ”

#465- Curly Red Oak Concert Banjo Ukulele

Our modest home has 30 year old kitchen cabinets. The problem isn’t the red oak doors, the problem is the poorly designed and constructed melamine boxes they cover. Despite the fact that red oak may not be in style in the home design world, it is fantastic for musical instruments. Many turn of the 19th century guitars and banjos were built of oak, so I’m not a pioneer. I’m just a careful student of materials. When I see a domestic, readily available, beautiful, easy to work, good sounding wood, I use it. For the pistachio fretboard and trim, we chose a mottled green and tan look, which I think is a good contrast to the oak. The armrest and the pickup are nice add ons for a capable but modest instrument.

#467- Curly Port Orford Cedar and Curly Walnut Baritone Ukulele

For me, it’s all about texture. The feel of the different woods under finish, the visual textures of these crazy pieces of wood and the sonic textures that this instrument makes. All of these things are odd, unique, personal, idiosyncratic and maybe unable to be repeated. That is what makes a handmade object so precious. Unlike our modernist factory made goods, it can’t be replicated. The grafted pistachio and the grafted walnut from this uke come from California Orchards. The curly and mineral stained Port Orford Cedar top comes from the Oregon coast. The wide grained spruce neck comes from Camp Westwind, one of my favorite places on earth. I find the tone of this one really beautiful, it’s dark and rich without being muddy and the sustain lasts forever.