Walnut and pistachio is a customer favorite and it’s not hard to see why. The variable look of the pistachio and the deep, rich walnut color always pair well together. In this case, the un-plated brass and natural goat skin add to the look. The sound is a winner too, balanced and rich with a loud voice. The walnut for this build came from my friend Cath’s shop on Vashon Island and the pistachio is from California orchards.
This is the first of our new soprano ukuleles built for a customer. I am inspired by classic instruments from the early 20th century and this one strikes a good balance for me between old and new. I still want modern playability and a balanced tone, but I like the special sparkle of the older ukes. I also think this one strikes the right balance between classic elegance and handmade folk art, just like the older instruments did.
I inherited the curly Koa from Char when she retired from Mya-Moe, the walnut is urban salvage from Goby in Portland and the fir and cedar for the neck are from the carpenter ant stash.
After all these years building banjo ukes, you would think I can predict everything about how an instrument will turn out. Yes, I know that maple will be plenty loud, but I was shocked by how sweet this one is! That’s just the perfect word for its tone and playability: sweet.
The beautiful curly maple is from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland, originally cut for grandfather clock cases. The pistachio is sustainably harvested from California orchards.
“Hello, Aaron, Nicole & Henry!
The stunningly beautiful Curly Maple & Pistachio Concert Banjo Uke #574 that Aaron made for me, arrived this morning. Thank you so very much! I will enjoy getting to know my “Strad” and you can be sure, despite the fact that I have promised he can rent it, my husband is quite jealous!
- S.S. ”
Every couple of years, I sell my instruments and build new ones. It allows me to keep the current designs in my hands and on stage so I can get honest feedback. For this instrument, I am trying out a new wood for the rim: mesquite. I recently bought out the stock of rim and neck material from a retiring luthier. It features a lot of this North American wood, normally found in desert climates. I thought I should try it out before offering it to customers. I paired it with a cherry and pistachio neck, dark brass hardware and an ebonized oak bridge. Overall, a striking instrument that is easy to play and sounds good. Maybe we will even get to play concerts this year!
This is the first in my Builder’s Choice series, where I give myself the space to try new things and build as I please. Hopefully it will also produce instruments that find a home with the perfect player/owner. The cedar for this was harvested near Bend, OR by luthier Jayson Bowerman. It is some of the stiffest cedar I have ever used and behaves more like spruce, in my opinion. The curly walnut also comes from Jayson as the pieces are too small for his guitars. I bound it with maple binding and some beautiful hombre purfling, with multiple brown shades in it. The curly walnut fretboard, headplate, bridge and pickguard are from the scrap bin at Goby Walnut in Portland. The old growth fir neck is from a salvaged floor joist. It sounds sweet but serious and is a joy to play.
“Thanks Nicole and Aaron,
I am throughly enjoying the Builder’s Choice. It reminds me of the Oregon I knew decades ago. I am not trained musician, and I just go by the sound of the instrument. The “Red” plays beautifully to me. Enjoying the smell of the wood when I bring Red out to play too.
I hope Aaron gets inspired again by a new wood find, or combination of old growth, old stash, and new ideas.
Best to you all
- A. F.
”
The first soprano ukulele I have made in several years! Inspired by classic island and mainland designs but with some modern updates for sound and playability. The quilted Koa was given to me by Char from Mya-Moe before she retired. The Curly claro walnut fretboard and headplate is from a gunstock blank. The fir neck is salvaged from a floor joist in Portland.
“I have really been enjoying the soprano. I tend to favor the tenor size for space on the fret board, but I find that this one is very comfortable and so well made that it actually sounds good played up the neck. I’ve also never owned a Koa instrument and I really like the “classic” ukulele sound. It also helps it looks great next to my Beansprout Tenor and Beansprout Mini 5-string Banjo...pretty soon I am going to need a bigger rack!
- J. P. ”
This baritone is tuned gcea, which takes a special string set. The larger body and longer scale length add some depth and power to the tone, but the higher tuning adds some sparkle. It helps that this old cedar top sounds so good, crisp and warm at the same time. The cedar is from a snag in Washington that I mean to seek out this summer to get some more of this stuff. It’s at least 200 years old. The Mastergrade walnut back and sides is Claro walnut from California. The fir neck is from a salvaged floor joist from Portland. The pistachio fretboard, headplate and bridge is from California orchards. Maple binding and bird’s foot purfling wrap it up in style!
“I am madly in love with my new Uke!
I cannot express how happy I am with every aspect of my uke. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but the sound is down right amazing. The tone is so balanced and it resonates like a bell. Aaron’s mastery of his art is so evident every time I pick my baritone up to play. Money may not buy happiness, but it sure can buy a Beansprout Uke that will bring many years of happiness.
- J. W. ”
Grafted wood really makes a big visual statement and this uke is no exception. The back and sides are some amazing grafted pistachio from California Orchards. The top is an asymmetrical piece of Port Orford Cedar with brown streaks in the grain. I used some mahogany that I got as scrap from a furniture maker for the neck and wrapped it all up with walnut binding. The customer asked for dgbe tuning with a high d, which is a favorite setup of mine.
This is the second banjo I have made of this design, pairing an 11” rim with a 20” scale neck. It’s lightweight, comfortable and easy to play. It took me a day or two to adjust my playing style to get the most tone from it, but now I love it. The rim is maple and pistachio and the neck is cherry, all stained to match with the color rubbed back to be almost translucent. The goatskin head is dyed with walnut husks from our yard and the brass has been darkened to form a nice patina. All the wood is from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland.
“I haven’t put this down since I received it several days ago! It is a beautiful instrument with a beautiful sound. The sound is deep and plenty loud. I am able to tune it to G and lower because of the custom string set Aaron created. The fretboard is the most comfortable I have ever played. The short scale is great as I have had some surgeries on my hands, but I would love this even if I hadn’t. Thank you for such a carefully-made instrument.
- B. C. ”
As far as the looks go, the pale maple, crazy pistachio and darkened brass is a cool combination. As far as sound, the curly maple, brass tone ring and goat skin head gives a vibrant and traditional vibe. I made my own brass tension hoop, tone ring and flesh hoop for this build and it was a nice challenge.
The curly maple came from Wildwood banjos when Mark retired and the pistachio is from California orchards.
“Hey Aaron-
Just a quick note to say that the banjo arrived safe and sound. It was here when I got home from work and I am just now putting it down. It is beautiful. I know I had a pretty specific vision for this instrument and you really knocked it out of the park. Thank you.
- C. E. ”
Port orford cedar and walnut is a standard combo for us and it always delivers. This one is sweet and light, but also has a nice depth and sustain. The asymmetrical port orford cedar top is from the Oregon coast and the pistachio is from California orchards via woodfromthewest.com. The walnut back and sides are from Goby Walnut in Portland and the hemlock neck is from the Carpenter Ant Stash.
This lovely little alto ukulele is for a repeat customer from the UK. We had a tour planned for 2020 there, but obviously it didn’t happen. It seems a miracle that despite that, I can still make a thing to take the trip for me. As I played this a bunch today, the word “balanced” kept popping into my mind. It has a nice presence, but will not drown out a duet partner. It has a nice sustain and depth, but is not too dark. It’s lightweight but still solid. I’m very happy with it.
The curly Port Orford cedar is from the Oregon coast and the pistachio is from California orchards, both via woodfromthewest.com. The hemlock and walnut neck is made from scraps from last year’s backyard yurt project. The walnut back and sides is from the shorts bin at Goby Walnut in Portland.
I’ve had a lot of trouble lately with small shop problems overwhelming my mind/soul. I intend to make rustic folk art, but my desire for improvement, Nicole’s careful quality control and our customer’s expectations push me to a higher level. This higher level brings with it insecurities and doubts that stop me from appreciating the wood, the time in the shop and the joy of playing these things. For this instrument, the customer gave me free reign to create with an emphasis on Wabi-Sabi. I embraced neutral wood tones, natural flaws and imperfections and the honest wear of a useful object. When I strung it up and played the first song, I cried a little as it filled me back up enough to keep going for the day.
The western red cedar top is from a burned out snag on the Washington side of the Columbia that my friend Ben knows about. The curly cherry is from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland. The fir neck is from a floor joist that my friend Chris saved from a dumpster. The pistachio fretboard/headplate/bridge is from California orchards, harvested and milled by my friend Kevin. I like being alone in the shop all day, but writing this reminds me of how much I miss those folks and would love to have them all here for a visit.
Always forward, friends. You matter and so does whatever you did today.
“OMG - the sustain is incredible! ...and the intonation, and the action, and the feeling of my first radiused fretboard, and the finish, and the craftsmanship and attention to detail.
I can’t decide whether to look at it or to play it. Hard to do both. I can’t believe how loud and resonant it is, but also how much easier it is to play softly. The lightest touches still produce tone! It practically plays itself.
Aaron, I knew I would be pleased, but I am ECSTATIC! This is such an amazing instrument, and so easy to play.
Thank you ever so much!
- E. J.
”
As I make my banjo rims, I save any extra segments for later use. Sometimes I can match an orphan piece into another rim or I can match many orphans together to good effect. That is the case with this rim, made from curly maple segments from several other banjos. It still matches the curly maple neck, but offers a unique look. I also made my own brass tension hoop for this one, a process I hope I have more time for this year. The maple is from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland and the pistachio is from California orchards.
“Dear Aaron and Nicole,
My banjolele arrived on Friday and I have been enjoying playing it ever since! I’m afraid my other ukes will have to stand in line for a bit, while I learn some new tunes and playing techniques.
Your work is so beautiful. I enjoyed the pictures along the way of the construction and then the personalized video, explaining the woods and process.
Stay well, keep making beautiful instruments and providing us with new learnings.
Many thanks from a very happy customer,
- J. C.
”
Small but mighty, this Scout is sweet and fun to play. The Myrtle body is made from scraps from other ukuleles, the neck is cypress salvaged from an old mustard tank and the pistachio fretboard/headplate/bridge are from California Orchards.
“Hi Aaron, Nicole and Henry,
I spent the weekend playing my new Scout ukulele and I love it. It may have had a humble start in life as myrtle scraps, but the final instrument sounds great, feels good in your hands, and is beautiful to look at.
I couldn’t be happier with it!
To me, the sound is classic ukulele with some banjo thrown into the mix. It has volume and sustain, without being too bright, and it is very responsive. When picking, individual notes ring out true and clear, and intonation is spot on all the way up the neck. This makes it a great little uke for many different styles of music.
It is also beautiful to look at and admire as a piece of folk art and fine craftsmanship. Pictures don’t do it justice. The “scrap” myrtle is full of character and is paired very well with the pistachio headplate, fingerboard, and bridge. The “mustard tank” reclaimed cedar neck has a wonderful texture and grain. This ukulele just feels good in your hands and begs to be played.
Your instruments and music bring happiness to people’s lives. Even more than that, how you approach these endeavors and your customers - with sincerity and intention - comes through in what you do. I hope that maybe, when you’re having a bad day (or week!), you can stop to catch your breath and take some comfort in knowing that, somewhere, at that very moment ... someone might be playing one of your instruments or listening to your music, and they are having a better day because of you.
Thanks again!
- F. Q. ”
Port Orford Cedar and Walnut have become a standard for us. They are local woods that look and sound great and I am proud to use them. I chose salvaged Douglas fir for the neck and pistachio for the fretboard, headplate and bridge. When sanded and polished with the thin, hand rubbed finish that I use, a myriad of textures appear, flying in the face of the sterile modern aesthetic that most products shoot for. All the wood except the fir is from woodfromthewest.com, the fir is from salvaged floor joists from a Portland dumpster. It is lightweight, vibrant and one of a kind, ready for music time!
Douglas fir is one of my favorite top woods. It’s plenty loud, but has a richness to it and a dry snap that I like. It would pair well with any hardwood back and sides, but this curly cherry is particularly nice. How about a curly cherry neck too? The fir and cherry are from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland, the pistachio is from California Orchards.
Wow- this is a sweet one with a simple but unique look. The top is old growth western red cedar cut from a water tank from Vashon Island. It is has little swirling figures in it that I can’t account for, but I love. The Oregon walnut back and sides is an asymmetrical set, culled from the scrap bin at Goby in Portland. The grafted pistachio fretboard, headplate and bridge is from California orchards. Salvaged fir and walnut neck from and old floor joist from Portland.
“Hi Aaron, Nicole and Henry!
I feel incredibly fortunate to be the lucky recipient of this amazing ukulele. She is an Heirloom Ukulele and I’m already thinking that I need to change my Will in order to bequeath her to someone special!
I can’t thank you enough. Maisie (Yep, I’ve already named her) looks and sounds incredible. The tone and sustain are fantastic. This is the first uke that I have owned where I have felt the music reverberate through my body when I play. Now, if that isn’t sound therapy,
I don’t know what is! She sounds AMAZING!
And...you built me exactly what was in my head, Aaron. She is 100% what I was hoping for and 200% more than I could ever have expected.
Thank you again for everything. I am going to enjoy Maisie till the cows come home!
All the best,
R. H.
”
This instrument is for a student of Steve Varney, so this banjo is pretty close to his instrument. 12” walnut block rim with a brass tone ring, fiberskyn head and steel strings. The curly walnut for the neck and rim and the pistachio fretboard and head plate are from California orchards via woodfromthewest.com. This instrument feels dark and rich, but the brass ring helps it sing too. It’s very comfortable to play and I’ll be sad/happy to see it go!
“Is this what a real banjo sounds and feels like?????? Wow – it’s a whole new world.
Aaron – this is truly fantastic. Everything is what I had hoped it would be – tone, wood, general feel, neck shaping, weight. Everything. Marvelous job and Thank You!
- H. J. ”
Sweet, simple and made from shop scraps. A soprano uke with a small round body based on the old Lyon and Healy camp uke. The cherry and mahogany are from the Carpenter Ant stash, the spruce is old growth salvage from Alaska and the curly walnut is from woodfromthewest.com.
“Aaron and company,
#551 has arrived safe and sound.
First impressions, stout but light, a finish that doesn’t disrespect the natural beauty of years of growth, and the claw stands out even better in person. Sounds full, yet humble.
This instrument is bottom line, not a novelty item. The potential portability, without compromises in quality, leads me to believe that I will be traveling miles up and down the fretboard, and wherever else the music leads me.
Again, thanks for your kindness and craftsmanship.
A true gift.
Peace
- J. D. ”