Builder’s Choice- #657 Alaskan Yellow Cedar and Oak Soprano Ukulele

Inspired by 1890’s Hawaiian ukuleles, this Beansprout is a great combo of traditional and modern. It’s a soprano ukulele, with Alaskan Yellow Cedar top, Oak back and sides, Fir neck and Texas Ebony fretboard/headplate/bridge. The rope binding was made in house, with maple, cherry and walnut in a random pattern. I used some amber stain to mimic the look of old lacquer. Modern features like geared tuners, bone nut/saddle, fluorocarbon strings and strap buttons make it easy to play. (Note: this instrument has a flat fretboard in the traditional style as opposed to a radiused fretboard that we usually have on our instruments). The Cedar is from Camp Westwind, the Oak is from the Carpenter Ant Stash, the Fir is salvaged from a floor joist and the rope binding is made from shop scraps.

“Aaron and Nicole,

My Beansprout soprano ukulele #657 arrived safely on Wednesday. I have now had a couple of days to play it and I absolutely love it. I love how it looks and feels and the sound is amazing. It even has a deeper and richer tone than my alto ukulele. It must be the Alaskan Yellow Cedar and Oak combination. I really like the shape of the neck and your rope binding is awesome. In my view, you made all the right choices with this builders choice. I feel fortunate to get this ukulele now and not have to wait 9 months for it. 😊

Thank you for making wonderful high quality instruments.

Thanks again,
- H. H. ”

#640- Oak and Texas Ebony Banjo Ukulele

The rim for this banjo came from a very old banjo mandolin. It is a heavy, high quality, 10” spunover rim which I paired with a stained goat skin head. I made a new neck for it from oak and Texas ebony. The slightly larger rim with 17” scale sounds great with gcea tuning. I look forward to using this for an upcoming recording project.

#645- Cedar and Myrtle Tenor Ukulele

I needed one for an upcoming project, so here it is! Cedar is reclaimed from a hot tub, the redwood neck is salvaged from a factory vat, the pistachio is from California orchards and the myrtle is scrap from the old Mya-Moe shop.

#653- Curly Port Orford Cedar and Pistachio Baritone Ukulele

Wow. The grafted Pistachio back on this one is a real knockout. When the tree does all the hard work, I just have to wrap it up! The curly Port Orford Cedar top is from the Oregon coast and all the Pistachio is from California orchards, both via woodfromthewest.com. The cedar neck is from an old barn beam I found. The curly maple binding adds a nice light colored accent that ties it all together. This is the last instrument of 2021, see you next year!

“Aaron surely has a way with Pistachio! The beauty of the graft on the back and the graft lines matched on the shoulders of the two sides topped off with the curly Port Orford Cedar top all bound in the highly figured Maple and the Cedar neck and Pistachio fret board and head plate make for an instrument at which one can’t quit looking. And, it sounds every bit as good as it looks.
The K & K twin spot pickup is so worth it. The sound is incredible when run through my Fender Acoustasonic. Paired with the Dogwood and Spruce baritone strung with the Fourth string in high D, I’m set. Oh! Thanks for the nail hole in the neck. I was hoping to get one. Thank you Aaron, Nicole, and Henry. Wishing you all the best for the New Year.
- F. P. ”

#656- Fir and Walnut Scout Ukulele

I thought Fred’s baritone was going to be the last of the year, but this one snuck in there. Made from Douglas Fir and Walnut shop scraps, with a rustic maple star inlaid on the headstock. It has a dusty yet rich sound and is a joy to strum.

#655- Western Red Cedar and Dogwood Baritone Ukulele

This instrument is basically a copy of one I built for Lizann (keeper of the Carpenter Ant stash) this summer. The Dogwood is from a tree that grew at their house, cut and milled by her father Ken many years ago. It turns out to be great for ukulele back and sides. Add an amazing old Cedar top and it really sounds awesome. The binding, fretboard, headplate and bridge is Pistachio from California orchards. The Douglas Fir neck is salvaged from a stair tread.

#651- Mastergrade Myrtle Tenor Ukulele

I love the wood grain on this. Every time I look at it, I see new colors, patterns and curl. I am so grateful to get to work with an Oregon tree like this, provided by our friend Kevin at woodfromthewest.com. I used simple Myrtle binding to wrap it up, which gives it that muted, natural, wabi-sabi look. The Pistachio fretboard/headplate/bridge is from California orchards and the fir neck is salvaged from a stair tread.

“Beansprout 651 arrived across the pond today and it was love at first when I opened the case. It is just the perfect combination of form and function. Plays like a dream and is so easy and comfortable in the hand. Visually it wonderfully embodies the Beansprout folk art aesthetic. Craftsmanship is outstanding. Normally I am quite an objective person but this connects to my soul! Have a happy holidays and best wishes for your continuing success in the future.
-S.S.”

#652- Curly Walnut and Pistachio Tenor Banjo

I’ve made several four string banjos in the last few years, but most have been tuned dgbe, like a baritone ukulele. This one is going to a tenor banjo player though, so he needs cgda. This tuning, combined with non steel strings, a brass tone ring and a walnut block rim gives an awesome sound. Loud, but rich and funky too. The curly walnut is from The Dee Mill and the pistachio is from California orchards. The fancy brass hardware is from Brooks Masten.

#654- Bearclaw Spruce and Quilted Maple Alto Ukulele

Spruce and maple is always a good idea. Crisp, loud, sweet and precise. Add some Bearclaw figure to the top and quilting to the back and it’s a knock out! The spruce top is old growth salvage from Alaska, the maple is from the Carpenter Ant stash, the pistachio is from California orchards and the fir is from an old floor joist.

“Dear Aaron, Nicole & Henry,

I just received the BEDAZZLING Alto uke Aaron crafted for me & am so excited to hold it in my hands & play it! I just love the selection of beautiful wood & the fine detail in the walnut binding & bridge. The quilted maple (back & sides) has such depth one can almost lose themselves in it while gazing at it. The matched bookends on the sides are lovely. I appreciate the fine grain in the neck & the way it is set off by the beautiful pistachio stripe. I couldn’t be more pleased with the dramatic grain in the pistachio fretboard & headplate. Since I like all things Alaskan & since bears hold a special interest for me, the Bearclaw Alaskan Spruce top is dynomite!

Though this isn’t designed to be a mere footnote to the above effusive praise, I can’t give high enough kudos for the super bright sound of this gorgeous Alto Uke. Its amazing action makes me feel as though I have better control playing this than my first mass-produced soprano uke.

Thank you so much for hitting this one out of the park for me, Aaron!

- S. P. ”

#650- Port Orford Cedar and Walnut Tenor Ukulele

Bread and butter: POC and walnut. It sounds awesome, looks great and is local to me. I actually took the time today to sit and play this one and I surprised myself again and again. It was so fun to play and sounds so sweet! The POC is from the Oregon coast and the pistachio from California orchards, both via woodfromthewest.com. The neck is made from salvaged redwood and the walnut is from the scrap bin at Goby Walnut in Portland.

“Hello, Aaron and Nicole!

My ukulele (#650) arrived today in fine shape. I’ve been enjoying it for the past couple of hours and my fingers are getting sore! It’s even more beautiful in person than I had expected and the sound is great. I’m going to get many years of pleasure out of this great instrument.

It’s been a pleasure dealing with you and I have nothing but good things to say about the ordering process and communication.

Thank you again and have a wonderful holiday season!
- L. U.
”

#647- Maple, Mahogany and Cherry Five String Banjo

I love putting together banjos like these, using whatever woods are on hand and in the way. It helps keep the rhythm of the shop moving and they look and sound great too. Maple block rim and Mahogany neck stained to match, with Cherry fretboard and headplate. A very simple design with as few add-ons and features as possible. The Maple is scrap from our kitchen cabinet project, the Mahogany and Cherry are from the Carpenter Ant stash.

#625- Builder’s Choice- Redwood and Walnut Tenor Ukulele

This builder’s choice tenor ukulele is something special! I love the bright and sparkly tone, which still has wonderful sustain. I’m keen to try it with a low g, I bet it would shine. The redwood top is from a luthier’s estate sale, all the walnut is from Goby in Portland and the redwood neck is salvaged from an old beam. I added some special multi colored purfling, brass fret markers, a K&K pickup and a rustic maple star in the headstock.

“Hi Aaron.

The instrument arrived safely today and it’s my dream uke. Sounds beautiful and I can’t wait for work to be over to enjoy it more.

Thanks again and have happy, safe, holidays.

- M. D.
”

#643- Cedar and Dogwood Scout Ukulele

Western Red Cedar is my current favorite top wood for ukulele. It is light and rather soft, but quite strong when quartersawn. This Cedar is from an old wooden hot tub that I got from the Rebuild-It center and is very old. The Dogwood back and sides are from the Carpenter Ant stash. The grafted Pistachio is from California Orchards.

“Scout 643 made it to New Jersey! The Scout Camp Ukulele is beyond expectations! Beautiful Woods in combination with spot on Craftsmanship! Can’t believe it is made of Scraps! The Dogwood, Pistachio, and Red Cedar is a good fit for a Waiting List Luthier’s Choice Instrument. If anyone is hesitant to be on the waiting list, don’t be. Trust and Faith will reward you with a chance ukulele you probably wouldn’t have ordered- but are beaming from the unboxing of your new 4 Stringed Friend to get acquainted with and grow closer as the two of you become familiar with each other… Happy Holidays Keim Family! And a prosperous and healthy New Year to come!

- D. D.”

#648- Fir, Cherry and Maple Short Scale Five String Banjo

Old Douglas Fir is a favorite of mine. In this case, I cut up an old door and a piece of scrap wood and put it back to work as a banjo. A few pieces of Cherry and Maple had some strength, mass and a subtle color contrast. Over all, I’m really pleased with it and may try it again. All the wood for this project was salvaged from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland.

“Hi Nicole & Aaron,

....I am very happy with the short scale banjo, just like everything else you have built for me these last few years. Aarons description of it as a “couch banjo” is spot on. The shorter neck length makes it very comfortable to play, its really light but still feels solid, and has that low, plunky old timey sound that is perfect for clawhammer and finger picking.
Thanks for all you do!
- J. P. ”

#649- Curly Walnut and Pistachio Five String Banjo

It’s hard to describe the difference in sound between an 11” and 12” rim. The 12” just sounds…more? Because this one is walnut, has a goat skin head and non steel strings, I recommended adding the brass tone ring, which added a little growl and sparkle. The customer asked for rope binding, so we put it pretty much everywhere. Why not! The curly walnut is from here in Hood River, milled by the folks at The Dee Mill. The pistachio is from California Orchards.

“Hello Aaron and Nicole,

I just wanted to send a short note to say that the banjo arrived safe and sound last Saturday. I am so exceedingly happy with this instrument. It’s gorgeous. It sounds amazing and exactly how I wanted. And when I opened it up with my 6yo son his first comment was “it smells good!” That wood scent is indeed rare in the big city.
Also, I’m so impressed with the playability. I’ve mostly played ukulele that past few years, having only recently picked up the banjo my only one is a travel sized one. I really expected for there to be level of adjustment and even discomfort in picking up a much larger, longer instrument. But this banjo is just so smooth and easy to play! It just has a great feel!

....Thanks for being the artists y’all are. Happy holidays!
- B. T.”

#644- Spruce and Dogwood Baritone Ukulele

Dogwood is proving to be a really nice tonewood. Almost as bright as Maple, with a cheerful sound and a unique look. This Dogwood is from the Carpenter Ant stash, felled and milled by Ken on-site and stored for many years. The Englemann Spruce is from a retired guitar builder, the Pistachio is from California orchards and the Douglas Fir neck is salvaged from a floor joist.

“Hi, Aaron, Nicole, and Henry.
The uke has arrived in superb condition. It is absolutely beautiful to the eyes as well as the ears. I love it with the unwound fourth string. Won’t be able to take my hands off of it for quite a while. Thank you so much. What a stunner.
Have a great Thanksgiving,
- F. P.
”

#646- Walnut and Pistachio Concert Banjo Ukulele

It’s fun to think of these things I build as mixed media art works. In this case, walnut, pistachio, brass and goat skin. Familiar materials to me by now, but always a treat to work with. Walnut from the scrap bin at Goby in Portland, Pistachio from California Orchards, brass hardware by Brooks Masten and the tension hoop by me.

#642- Koa Soprano Ukulele

My soprano ukulele model is based off of a 1920’s Lyon and Healy ukulele, but includes my own modern ideas. This is a hard balance to get, but I really enjoy the process. The goal is an instrument with the chiming sparkle of an old one, but modern playability and a bit more tone and sustain. The precious Koa for this instrument comes from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland, originally imported and cut for clock making. I will be donating to https://savinghawaiisforests.org for this build and I encourage all of you to support their cause if you are able. The Oregon Walnut is from the scrap bin at Goby in Portland and the Douglas Fir neck is salvaged from a floor board.

#638- Spruce and Walnut Scout Ukulele

Spruce top, Walnut back and sides, mustard tank Cypress neck and Cherry everything else. A soprano ukulele made from the scrap bin. It’s off to the Scout wait list.

#637- Douglas Fir and Curly Maple Baritone Ukulele

This really shows the balance of what I do and what matters to me. Huge sound, easy playability, salvaged/sustainable timbers, and neat craftsmanship with a rustic texture. This baritone is tuned gcea and I love the sound, it was a real joy for me to play it today. The fir is salvaged from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland, the curly Maple is from woodfromthewest.com and the curly Walnut is urban salvage from Goby Walnut.