Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

This one is a bit out of the ordinary. A Guitalele is a 6 string tenor size uke but strung up like a guitar. Ie. there are no double courses like on a regular 6 string uke. Essentially is is a 17" scale length nylon strung guitar but pitched like a ukulele.

This one made from Zircote and WRC with figured maple bindings, spalted maple scratch plate, 12" radius on ebony fret board. Qld. Maple neck has 2 CF rods. MISI pickup installed as well.

The sound much more guitar like than a uke. Tone has the cedar warmth and even across the register. Really loud and responsive with lots of harmonics. Sustain is much more than I'm use to in a uke. The extra mass in the head stock and bridge may be contributing to that. I was worried about string choice but after talking with Chuck Moore, went with Saverez Corums. The Corum wound strings are very nice. There isn't that distinctive change in tone from the plain to wound string you hear in most sets.

Allen, every time your latest creation excels the former ones. Does this not have an end?

CONGRATS for this one!

...and once more compliments to your photographer!

Thanks Markus. I did the photo's this time around. Took 3 goes at different times of the day, as it's bloody difficult to photograph dark woods with a high gloss finish.

Allen wrote:I did the photo's this time around.

Great! So this time all the laurels go to you!

Bloody hell Allen you keep raising the bar for the rest of us both in build quality & finish! I'm really getting to like the Ziricote/Maple combo, it looks all class. Would love to hear this beauty, are you building it as a commision or is there I chance I'd get to hear it in person, on any future visit?
Great job

Beautiful little instrument Allen.....

That is another stunner Allen. The zircote, under that finish, is amazing.
I also love the spalted maple pickguard. Who is your supplier for that stuff?
Congratulations!

Mark

This one is a commission and will be off to the new owner this week. They were a real joy to work with. Had a very clear idea of what they were looking for, and were open to informed decisions along the way. Said that they never play above the 12th fret, so make it 12 to the body. Want this instrument to play Baroque music on. I'm hoping to get a sample from them down the track.

The spalted maple was from an OLF swap meet a couple of years ago. Don't recall who I got it from. Lot's more veneers of it though.