Comments on: Machete, Mele Concert Ukulele

By: seeso

seeso — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:47:51 +0000

Hey, that rainbow rosette is sweet! Very unique.

Geared tuners throw the balance off? I haven’t experienced that problem.

By: Woodshed

Woodshed — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:00:33 +0000

Seeso: I’m with you 100% on the headstock shape. I’ve just been looking over the ukes she’s sold before. Both of them have a really cool rainbow soundhole circle.

Hobbit: Thanks for the links. I seem to remember stumbling on Kathy Matsushita’s site long ago. Thanks for reminding me.

I don’t mind the look of geared tuners at all. My main problem with them is that they throw the balance of the uke off.

By: Howlin' Hobbit

Howlin' Hobbit — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:27:46 +0000

Some pretty ukes there but I just don't like the jug-eared look of geared tuners, especially on sopranos. As far as female luthiers go... Augustino LoPrinzi's daughter Donna makes all the ukes that come out of his shop (and apparently some of the guitars too) and there's a lovely amateur (though she has sold a few pieces) named Kathy Matsushita. Her page has lots of tips for the budding luthier as well as just being fascinating.

By: seeso

seeso — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:36:51 +0000

Wow, that Mele with the rope binding is gorgeous.

I also really like the ukuleles from the female luthier (I don’t know her name). The spartan, no frills design is appealing, and the headstock shape is beautiful.