Bruce Shimabukuro's Takamine Custom Tenor Prototype

Aloha,

One of the artists associated with Ukulele Puapua is Bruce Shimabukuro. Bruce has played a variety of ukuleles over the years, and currently he is using a prototype tenor from Takamine Guitars in Japan. This instrument is very rare, and sounds and plays great! Bruce was kind enough to allow me to shoot his Kiso Ukulele, and so now I can share it with all of you.

This ukulele is made of curly Hawaiian koa. The neck is mahogany, and the bridge and fingerboard are ebony. Curly maple binding all around the top and back, as well as around the fingerboard and headstock! Abalone purfling around the soundboard, rosette, fingerboard, and headstock! Maple BS initial inlay at the base of the fingerboard. Active pickup with 9V power supply. Nitro gloss finish.

I had never tried a Takamine ukulele before. It is well made with good tone and playability. Thanks to Bruce Shimabukuro. Please contact Ukulele Puapua for lesson schedule.

Mahalo.

Tyler

Kamaka 60's White Label Standard (Bridge Repair)

Pre-repair condition.

The seperation was clean. Excess glue is removed, and the surface is treated.

Don't lose the bridge!

This bridge has a fixed saddle. It makes the saddle hard to lose, but once you take the saddle too low, the action will be hard to fix.

After the instrument is cleaned, prepped, and taped, the bridge is ready to be reattatched.

The prepped soundboard is lightly scored to create better surface contact with the bridge.

Always use a pad or mat when working on an instrument.

The clamps are carefully secured. One on each side of the bridge.

Use a piece of plywood between the clamp and the bridge for security and protection.

This is the end result. Just like new!

No seperation, and good contact for good tone.

This instrument will be good to go for years to come.

After the repair is complete, the instrument is cleaned and polished.

Aloha,

This is a new feature for the blog. I will slowly be introducing different aspects of the ukulele world. This will be my first segment to deal with the issue of repair. If you play ukulele long enough, you will deal with repairing an instrument, and it can be confusing and frustrating. I recommend taking the instrument back to the factory where it was made when possible. When that is not possible, go to a trained professional. DIY ukulele repair is usually a recipe for disaster. That being said, we are lucky at PUAPUA to have an in-house pro for repairs.

Here is a Kamaka 60's white label standard in Hawaiian Koa. This ukulele features an all koa construction with koa neck and bracing. Rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Single panel construction. This instrument was suffering from bridge seperation. The seperation was clean, and a bridge reattachment was possible. I hope that everyone finds these variety segments interesting. Please feel free to let me know if there is an aspect of the ukulele world that you would like me to explore in more detail. Mahalo. Tyler

G-String Concert Full Custom with Passive Pickup

Aloha,

Here is a G-String Full Custom Concert with passive Fishman pickup. The Full Custom comes with curly Hawaiian Koa, tortoise binding, and high gloss poreless finish. The neck is mahogany, and the tuners are Grover. Abalone rosette, and rosewood bridge and fingerboard. Koa faceplate with abalone logo, and M.O.P. position markers. G-String ukuleles are very easy to play and have a soft, pleasant tone to them. I consider them to be amongst the most user-friendly ukuleles. They are played by James Hill, Kelly Boy DeLima, and Dai Hirai to name a few. This instrument can be found at Ukulele Puapua in Waikiki. Mahalo

Ko'olau Premium Series (400) Tenor Curly Koa

Aloha,

Back from vacation. Thank you for your patience through the break. Well, here's another ukulele for you. This beautiful intstrument comes from Ko'olau ukulele in Wahiawa. It is a premium series Tenor in very curly Koa. The premium series has replaced the 400 series this year. The quality of the build and the attention to detail are excellent. This ukulele is bound in curly maple, with ebony fingerboard, bridge, and faceplate. The bridge is pinset, with abalone dots on the pins. The fingerboard is also bound with curly maple. Abalone purfling around the entire body, and an abalone rosette as well. Maple bottom strip and heelcap. M.O.P. logo and position markers. Fiberglass truss rod with adjustable screw in the neckblock. Ameritage professional grade humidified case. This instrument will be going to Heartman Guitars in Shibuya, Tokyo. http://www.heartman-g.com