Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

This one fresh off the workbench and leaving for San Francisco shortly.

The client had some ideas about building a very customised instrument and there was a lot of back and forth about wood choices, where to inlay names etc. In the end everything was settled so that we were both happy with the plan and I was given a bit of free reign on the trim. First time binding my new head stock shape, and it was most definitely a challenge with all those mitres. When it came time for the bridge, I was struggling with an appropriate wood. Didn't want to go with ebony as it was a bit too much black, and then what to do about the pins. Tiger Myrtle is crap for a bridge, but then remembered that I had a big box of goodies I got from dumpster diving at HNT Gordon's premises the last time I was down in NSW. And low and behold a piece of Snakewood that is the perfect compliment to Tiger Myrtle and ebony.

Back and Sides - Tiger Myrtle
Top - Western Red Cedar
Bindings - Cocobolo
Fret Board - Ebony with 12" Radius
Peg Head overlays - Ebony
Neck - Spanish Cedar with CF truss rod
Rosette - Koa
Bridge - Snakewood
Pickup - MISI
Tuners - Gotoh
Strings - South Coast Ukes
Finish - MIrotone

That is as gorgeous body of work .
An inspiration .
Pete

Always a pleasure to look at your ukes when they appear on the forum. I'm really digging the way you are inlaying "Barron River" into the headstock. It is nice to see such organic lines of text on an instrument rather than very sharp edges or crisp lines.

Stu

Wow.

Well, I've been absent from the forum for a while only to return and see this.

Your builds were never lacking Allan, but somehow you seem to have stepped it up another notch in the past six months or so. I guess that's the aim in continued building...

Great colour combos. Congrats. Beautiful work.

Jeremy.

Barron River Ukuleles, bringing you some of the worlds most beautiful small instruments.

Jim

Bloody hell Allen you have been a Busy boy, and using all my Favorite Timbers as well..... a Visual treat.

Yep. I haven't had a single day off in nearly 6 months. Finally cleared my bench off and now have a couple of weeks to get ready for the Cairns Uke Build class.

Love all your work Allen but this baby is the one that does it for me....

You really are creating heirloom pieces. I would love to get up your way some day to see the workshop. Your work is an inspiration.

Love them all Allen but this one's my favourite and the new shape slotted headstock is superb.
Time to give up the day job.
Miguel

Seems like you're getting the hang of this ukulele build thing Allen
Seriously - as ever, you've raised the bar yet again. Beautiful timber combo's on all, real classy lines and superb execution.
Would be proud to own one.

Hi Allen
Another stunner !
Regards Steve

Thanks for the very kind comments everyone.

Gorgeous! Love that heel cap detail.

Steve

Jay has put some sound samples up for everyone to hear. Quite nice clean recordings, so gives a really good idea of what this one sounds like.

https://soundcloud.com/ukulele-jay/barr ... yrtle-side

Allen,
That is just SWEET from top to bottom!

Missed this one! Great Job Allen, you just keep stepping it up with each and every build. Love the headstock detail.

Absolutely beautiful Allen. What a gorgeous set of tiger myrtle.
Cheers Maurice

Thanks everyone. I'm really pleased on how this one turned out. Especially since the client asked Rick Turner if I was up to the job of a commission from so far away. He lives near Rick apparently.