Mun Ebony - Ancient Sitka Tenor Uke

[Allen]

Just finished another lot of instruments. This one of two for a client that has commisioned instruments in low G and high G versions. It's a 18.5" scale to accomodate the 14 fret to body.

First time using Mun Ebony and was pleasantly surprised at it's workability and how it finishes. Sound board is the last of the 3000 year old Sitka Spruce that I have and sad to say that there is no more available (at least for ukuleles). Ebony trim and Gold MOP inlays. Finished in Polyurethane.

[GregL]

Hi Allen,

Looks fantastic! (as usual)
Please excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is "Mun Ebany"? I have not encountered that term before - is it another name for Macassar Ebony?

Thanks,
GregL.

[Allen]

No not Macassar. I have a heap of that on my shelves. It's often called Black and White Ebony. To be honest I have no idea where it comes from, but it sure can be pretty.

[WJ Guitars]

The wood combination looks amazing.

Wayne

[56nortondomy]

That's a great looking uke Allen. That ebony is amazing. Well done.
Wayne

[kiwigeo]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is "Mun Ebany"? I have not encountered that term before - is it another name for Macassar Ebony?

https://www.wood-database.com/mun-ebony/

[GregL]

Thanks Martin!
From that database, it appears to be difficult to work with and difficult to glue - did you find it difficult to work with and/or difficult to glue, Allen?

Thanks,
GregL.

[Mark McLean]

Allen, it looks sensational matched with that dark ancient spruce!
I have a really pretty set of that stuff that I have been hanging onto for a while, and I also wanted to ask how you found it to work with - especially bending? Glad to hear that you were happy with it. The results speak for themselves.
cheers
mm

[Allen]

It glued as easy as any timber I've used, and bending wasn't a problem. I take my sides down to 1.7mm and just to be safe as I wasn't sure how it would bend I used some veneer softener that I got from Carbatec years ago and rarely use.

Pore filling was about as easy as you can get as they are small and tight. One thinned coat of epoxy as I do on all my instruments so it gets in deep. Followed by a full strenght one after sanding back the next day.

[martintaylor]

Beautiful as always Alan!

[Valben]

whoa ! that is the most beautiful Uke I have ever seen