#616- Spruce and Curly Walnut Alto Ukulele

This is a second alto ukulele for Jann, who asked for one with a low fourth string and good playability all the way up the neck. She has been tackling some challenging classical music lately and needs the extra range. I had fun with contrasts on this one, with the light spruce, dark walnut and greenish pistachio all wrapped up in maple binding. It’s loud but rich and sings all the way up the neck, I hope it works for her.

The spruce top is from Camp Westwind on the Oregon coast, the curly walnut was a gift from guitar maker Ben Bonham, the fir neck is salvaged from a floor board and the Pistachio is from California orchards.

#624- Curly Cherry and Texas Ebony Five String Banjo

This was a fun challenge for me and it turned out great! The rim is a 10” spunover rim from the late 1800’s that I got from eBay. I thought it would be a could partner for a short scale (20”) neck. I used a neck blank made from curly cherry and Texas ebony, which I got from a retired builder. I think it makes for a classic look that still suits my style. I chose a goat skin head and non steel strings tuned to open g. It’s lightweight, smaller than a regular banjo, easy to play and makes great use of an old banjo rim.

“Hi Aaron,
It’s already a few weeks ago that #624 arrived safely at my home and I would like to thank you for this unique banjo. It looks beautiful and it’s a pleasure to explore its tonal universe, dynamized by the “vivid” goat skin. In addition it offers the baritone uke like size that I had dreamed of to take it with me on vacations.
All the best,
- M. W. ”

#603- Port Orford Cedar and Walnut Tenor Ukulele

A third instrument for Dave Matthews, this time with the stop stained rustic dark and extra big fret dots for onstage visibility. Port Orford Cedar from the Oregon coast, Oregon Walnut from the Dee Mill, Pistachio from California orchards and salvaged Honduras Mahogany.

#615- Hemlock and Walnut Scout Ukulele

The Scout ukulele is my version of the famous Lyon and Healy camp ukulele from the 1920’s. I make them from shop scraps and offer them up to a wait list. They are soprano scale, with geared tuners, bone nut and saddle and strap buttons. Humble, fun and easy to play. All the wood for this one is from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland. Hemlock top, walnut back, sides, fretboard, headplate and bridge, fir neck. Happy strumming!

#611- Spruce and Mastergrade Myrtle Baritone Ukulele

Wow. This one is just sweet. Very balanced with all the highs, mids and lows. Also, it’s the right mix of fancy and rustic that really speaks to me. The Sitka spruce top is salvaged from a dulcimer maker, cut in the 1960’s. The Myrtle is from guitar maker Jayson Bowerman. The Pistachio is from California Orchards. The Douglas Fir neck is salvaged from a floor joist.

#612- Curly Maple and Pistachio Tenor Banjo Ukulele

Check out that maple! I pulled this board from the Carpenter Ant Stash for my kitchen cabinets, but decided it was too nice for that. Maple is the traditional tone wood for banjos and this is a good example of why. Rich, loud and sweet at the same time. The pistachio is from California orchards and is a perfect secondary wood to the curly maple.

“Hi Nicole and Aaron,

I’m loving the Banjo uke! It’s the absolute best of both worlds for me, banjo sound without having to learn a new instrument. That said, I’m busy trying to reimagine some of the tunes I play with Banjo type fills. I am enjoyed how it has both a nice, long sustain and also a percussive attack. How is it possible to have both? Good intonation all the way up, and it looks gorgeous. I really like the curly maple. I also bought a new amp to plug in to (fishman loudbox charge), and this thing is a cannon played through the amp.

Thanks again!
- N. O. ”

#610- Spruce and Curly Maple Tenor Ukulele

Spruce and maple just has “it.” Loud, sweet, lots of sustain, a big dynamic range, rich overtones and it looks nice too. Keep asking for it and I’ll keep making it. The curly maple and pistachio are from woodfromthewest.com, the Sitka spruce is from my dulcimer maker’s stash and the Douglas fir neck is salvaged from Portland floor boards.

“The uke sounds amazing and I love the look of it. I appreciate the time and care that went into the workmanship.

Thanks,
E. C. ”

#613- Mesquite and Pistachio Mini Five String Banjo

The mini five string banjo is one of our original Beansprout designs from our re-launch 5 years ago and it still holds up. This one is tuned to open c tuning, like a capo on the fifth fret of a regular banjo. But, it can also be quickly tuned to cgcea which is more comfortable for Ukulele people. The combination of mesquite, pistachio, brass and goat skin is rustic but fancy and it rings like a bell. The pistachio is from California Orchards and the mesquite is from a retired banjo builder.

#609- Western Red Cedar and Dogwood Scout Ukulele

This little Scout ukulele matches the baritone below, #608. It is for Lizann, the keeper of the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland. All the wood for these ukuleles comes from her shop, including the dogwood, which came from their property and was carefully sawed and dried by her father Ken. It’s a winner, I love how the dogwood back looks like a planet. Western Red Cedar top, Dogwood back and sides, Fir neck, Maple binding and Jatoba fretboard/headplate/bridge.

#608- Western Red Cedar and Dogwood Baritone Ukulele

This one is for Lizann, who inherited her father and grandfather’s tools and wood. We have been helping her clean the shop out for several years now, which keeps us well stocked with nice wood. Every scrap on this ukulele comes from her shop, including the Dogwood tree that used to grow in their yard. Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Jatoba, Dogwood and Maple. It is powerful and sweet, I’m quite pleased with it.

#614- Walnut and Pistachio Five String Banjo

This one is for a local, so I chose some local Walnut from the Dee Mill. I used both Pistachio from California orchards and Jatoba from the Carpenter Ant stash as secondary woods, sticking with the brown/red palette of the Walnut. It sounds like dirt and sunshine, is very lightweight and is easy to play.

#601-602: A Pair Of Ukuleles For Dave Matthews

Yup, that Dave Matthews. He got a matching set of tenor ukuleles handmade from salvaged/sustainable wood. Simple, beautiful and durable, ready for the road.  One has maple trim, the other walnut, so the crew can tell them apart in a dark backstage area. The one piece, asymmetrical tops are lightly curly Port Orford Cedar from the Oregon coast. The Oregon Walnut is from the Dee Mill, right up the road from the shop. The Mahogany necks were salvaged from an old shipping crate. The Pistachio fretboard and headplate are from California orchards.

#607- Mahogany Soprano Ukulele

A classic soprano ukulele, charming, portable and sweet. Made from salvaged and sustainable domestic woods. Modern playability, full voiced and carefully handmade. The mahogany is salvaged from the re-buildit center in Hood River, complete with a few small beauty marks. The walnut is urban salvage by Goby in Portland. The old growth redwood neck was salvaged from a factory by The Dee Mill. Comes with hardshell case. Update: This instrument is SOLD.

#599- Western Red Cedar and Mahogany Alto Ukulele

This is another instrument for a patron who has several instruments of mine. As time as passed, her needs have changed and she requested a few small changes to meet them. First up, she needed larger side and front dots with high contrast to the fretboard wood. We picked white shell in dark brown Texas Ebony. She also needed a flat fretboard, low action and a thin neck, similar to a nice Martin that she has. Both the Cedar top and Mahogany back and sides were salvaged from the Rebuild-It center in Hood River. The Texas Ebony fretboard and Spanish Cedar neck are from a retired banjo builder. The maple binding adds a nice contrast and the nickel tuners and strap buttons match nicely.

#597- Myrtle Baritone Ukulele

For several years I played an all Myrtle baritone as my personal instrument. The light weight, balanced tone and earth tone colors feel quite familiar. This one does not disappoint, with a simple pistachio fretboard and cedar neck, it remains understated but ready to speak up! The Pistachio is from California orchards and the Myrtle is from the Oregon coast, both from woodfromthewest.com. The Western Red Cedar neck was rescued from a barn in Hood River, OR.

“ ...I’ve been playing it a couple of hours each day. The sound is incredible and the sustained voicing is warm and soft. I just love it. And of course, the workmanship. I couldn’t be happier!

Thanks again for such a beautiful uke.

Regards,
J.S.H.”

#600- Redwood and Curly Walnut Tenor Ukulele

I’m not sure I believe in coincidences, but I do think things rhyme once in a while. In this case, #600 turned out to be almost the same specs as #500. When Anne picked out her specs, she didn’t know what her number would be and I don’t think about it until I start the instrument and assign the next number in the database. This combo of redwood and walnut is always a winner, it sounds like dark chocolate with a citrus edge. The curly walnut back and sides is from guitar maker Ben Bonham, cut on the Washington side of the Columbia River. The redwood is from guitar maker Jayson Bowerman from Bend, OR. Both of these generous makers save me ukulele size pieces from their guitar builds. The fretboard, headplate and bridge is from California Orchards. The salvaged fir neck is from a Portland floor joist.

“Wow! My new ukulele is so perfect, it brought tears to my eyes. It looks and sounds so beautiful and is a joy to play. The finish is so smooth and I love how all the parts compliment each other. A work of art. And Nicole, the inscription inside is exquisite, thank you so much.
I think it’s cool how the numbers worked out too. I’m happy to think of #500 in the UK. My mother lived in London for many years and it’s one of my favorite places.
Thanks again for the work you do and the music and the beautiful instruments you make.
- A. F. ”

#598- Curly Port Orford Cedar and Cherry Tenor Ukulele

I have made many tenor ukuleles. During my time at Mya-Moe, something like 75% of what we built were tenors. Since then, it’s probably closer to 50%, but you get the idea. You would think with all that experience, that I can’t be surprised and delighted anymore, but you would be wrong. This one grabbed me. Sweet and cheerful, but also substantial and rich. Maybe like good BBQ? I don’t know, words and metaphors don’t really help, just listen to it. The curly POC from the Oregon coast and the pistachio from California orchards is courtesy of woodfromthewest.com. The cherry back and sides and fir neck are salvaged from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland.

“My ukulele got here yesterday, and I stayed up way too late playing it.

You know, when a child gets overwhelmed by emotion, adults tell them to use their words. But I am overwhelmed by emotion, and it’s taken my words too. This ukulele is so beautiful. And sounds so amazing. Here are are few words to try and describe my feelings. But understand that they are an inadequate description.

First, the wood. The sum is so much greater than the parts. The curly Port Orford Cedar is magnificent. And I know the wood will only get richer looking over time. The pistachio fretboard blends so well with it. I like the feel of pistachio. But didn’t want too much color, and this fretboard is perfect. The cherry back and sides are detailed and have character. Just what I wanted. The Douglas fir just brings home that this ukulele is made from Northwest wood.

It’s hard to describe the sound. It’s bright, but at the same time it has depth. How does that happen? And it has a sustain that is wonderful to hear on fingerpicking and campanella. At the same time, the strumming is clear and resonant. I’m just starting to explore what it can do.

I anticipated getting a great ukulele that would be fun to play. I didn’t expect anything this wonderful in look and sound. Enough words. I have to go play my ukulele.

Thank you for this wonderful instrument.

- S. S.”

#595- Spruce and Myrtle Scout Ukulele

Another Scout ukulele, salvaged from my own shop scraps. This one doubles down on the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic: muted earth tones, featured imperfections and rustic textures. Spruce top, Myrtle back and sides, white Oak fretboard, Hemlock and Walnut neck and Pistachio everything else.

“Hi Guys,
What a beautiful/cute instrument this is! I love looking at her and I get a real chuckle out of her fun- loving voice. I hear a little banjo in there. Your way with wood is truly masterful. Thanks for another wonderful instrument.
- D. C.”

#596- Walnut and Pistachio Tenor Banjo Ukulele

I used to overly praise loud instruments. But, now I’m more focused on a wide dynamic range. I like a banjo that is sweet, rich and loud. This one has it. The Oregon walnut is from Goby in Portland and the pistachio is from California orchards. I darkened the brass hardware from Brooks Masten, which is always classy. Some extra big fretboard dots were added for increased visibility.

“Aaron and Nicole,
I finally received my tenor banjo uke last Friday. It is all I expected and hoped for. A beautiful looking and sounding instrument. I find it a privilege to own such an instrument and I hope it remains in my family for generations. I love the wood coloring, the dark walnut and beautiful pistachio. The feel of the neck is amazing I have not held an instrument like it. I am used to playing a tenor uke so the sound is quite different but so fun. I find it plenty loud and as you said sweet and rich. Once again thank you, it truly is a treasure.
- K. A. ”

#589- Fir and Walnut Scout Ukulele

Humble and sweet and ready to party, this Scout is for our friend Rob on his 72nd birthday! The brass fret markers in the curly walnut fretboard and the maple trim veneers give it a unique look. The fir is from the Carpenter Ant stash and the walnut is from the cutoffs bin at Goby Walnut in Portland.

“Dear Aaron and Nicole,
I could give you a pro & con review of the Scout.... except that there are no cons! I spent about two hours playing it yesterday. The uke has a neat, loud, “punchy” sound. The brass fret markers are really nice looking, and the top just glows. But it’s the back that’s really stunning.
The back story is that if my wife has a “spirit animal” or a “totem”, it’s the owl. Her late Mom was fascinated by owls, and our house has a lot of owl-themed art and even jewelry. When I saw the early photos I thought, “Wow, one of her owls is speaking to me.” And then in the gallery video Aaron mentioned the owl-ish look.
The case for the uke is really nice. The Scout may be doing a lot of traveling with me.
Thanks again,
R. S. ”