Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Monty contacted me several months back and we went back and forth about what he was looking for in a uke, we settled on this.

Specs are as follows:

Back and sides - Tiger Myrtle
Top - Western Red Cedar
Neck - Qld. Maple
Fret Board - Ebony 16' radius
Bridge - Ebony
Head Plate - Ebony
Binding - Plastic
Finish - Mirotone
Strings - Wurth Clear High Tension

Allen ,that's an incredible uke I'm not sure which feature I like best , the black binding or that killer scratch plate . Great instrument as usual Allen

That's an absolute ripper Allen. Beautiful finish and the Myrtle is stunning. Thanks for sharing and the pictures are classy too!

Cheers

Alan

Super! Allien, it is a unique Uke...
Your work inspires me for building similar.

Very pretty Al, I particularly like the pinned bridge on this one.

Cheers

Kim

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

There are a couple of features on this one that I will carry onto subsequent instruments. I like the look of the pinned bridge, and would need to try it out on some more instruments to tell if there was a difference in tone to a tied bridge. And the scratch plate i just love.

Beautiful again Allen. Some great colour in the Tiger and I'm fond of the scratch plate too.

Jeremy.

No wonder the Myrtle is so sought after. I have been tossing up what sort of top to put on a half done tenor at the moment and seeing this one has tipped me in favour of WRC, thanks for posting.

Jim

The WRC probably compliments the color pallet more than any other wood I've seen to date Jim. Tiger Myrtle is an odd wood in that not much works with it other than itself or black. Got lucky with this piece of cedar in that it's almost a perfect match for color, and you can't go past the sound of cedar.

bit of an odd shape Allen? It almost looks like one of those old ditson/martins. It works, espec with the pin bridge. A bit of a retro look. what's the pick guard made from?

Is it still in the garden? If so someone might lean over the fence and pick it up.

Same shape as all my Tenors. Might be the look of the pickguard that alters it.

Pick guard is made from an off cut from the back. I just used some hard wax on it for the finish. I didn't want to pop the grain too much and have it overpower the look of the top. And the wax finish won't be showing any scratch marks any time soon.

I just realised it looks different because it 's a 14 fretter

Leave the uke in the garden tied to a couple of Dobbermans.....will be perfect bait to catch those scumbags that lifted your computers and wallet.

One of my workmates has a French Mastiff that he'll loan me. Lovely dogs, but they really don't take well to poachers or thieves.

I don't need to worry about either of these ukes now though. They are in the ever capable hands of Aust. Post.

I just got a link to this review and a great sound sample from Monty.


youtu.be/

I think he likes it Allen
You must be chuffed to bits to hear him effuse about his new uke as he does. It's really gratifying to hear your customer so happy with what you have produced. It sounds beautiful & I see what you mean about the 'haunting' designation, it certainly drones (tastefully of course!) behind the melody. Well done Thanks for posting.