Beansprout
Kingdom Era Ukulele

The Kingdom Era instrument project started as part of a research grant from Mortise and Tenon Magazine. In 2023, Aaron traveled to Hawaii to study instruments built in the 1880-1890’s by the first three Madeiran builders, Nunes, Santo and Dias. He also studied the history of woodworking in Hawaii, the European cabinet making culture these builders came from and 19th century hand tool traditions.

Our Kingdom Era instruments are not meant to be replicas of the originals, but instead are Aaron’s tribute to these builders using similar tools, techniques and materials. Made almost entirely with hand tools, hot hide glue and traditional finish, they are built with a Spanish heel construction on an early Hawaiian style body mold. Combine all of this with Aaron’s focus on playability, tone and volume and you get a heirloom instrument that you won’t be able to put down.

SOPRANO ($2500) PLUS SHIPPING

- 13.5” fret scale length with featherweight body based on the first Hawaiian Machete/Ukuleles.

- 21” total length

TENOR ($3000) PLUS SHIPPING

-17” fret scale with a long, curvy body based on the first Hawaiian Rajao/Taropatch Fiddles. Available as a four or five string instrument. 

- 26.5” total length

Kingdom Era Specs: 

Body Wood: Made from Aaron’s best woods, often from salvaged, re-claimed or sustainable sources. The body can be all one wood, like Koa, Myrtle, Mango or Mahogany, but the traditional choice is a softwood top, like Cedar, Fir, Redwood or Spruce with a hardwood back and sides. Other additional hardwoods that can be used for back and sides include Maple, Walnut, Cherry or Oak. Confused on what to pick? Click here for more info and some suggestions.  

Neck: Hand carved neck from Koa, Cypress or Fir.

Fretboard: Walnut or Koa flat fretboard. 17 frets. Herringbone inlay down center of fretboard/headplate with side fret markers.

Tuning Machines: Peghed brand geared tuners with a 4:1 gear ratio. Theuy look like old style violin pegs but work easily.

Other features: Hardwood bridge with bridge pins, bone nut and saddle, fluorocarbon strings

Tuning:
- GCEA High g or low g stringing for soprano and tenor
- Five string Rajao, inquire about stringing/tuning

Case: Handmade wooden “coffin style” case with Kapa style cloth printed lining and brass hardware
Rather have a gig bag? (-$250) from the price

Binding: Walnut, Maple, Myrtle or Rope binding and rosette.  No body binding (-$150)

OPTIONS and ADD ONS:
- K&K pickup (+$150)
- Real gut strings (+$25) Soprano model only
- Hand carved violin style tuning pegs (+$100)
- Radiused fretboard upon request

PLACE AN ORDER

Click Here for Instrument Warranty Info