Ukulele Luthiers
If you’re after something a bit more special and unique than the usual, run of the mill ukulele you might want to look at buying a ukulele from a luthier.
Akulele
Bean Sprout
Black Bear
Candelas
JC Clark
Rob Collins
Compass Rose Ukulele
Da Silva Ukuleles
DeVine Ukuleles
Emerald Guitars
Jupiter Creek Ukulele
William King/ Chantus Music Ukulele
Makapili (Thomas Macomson)
Marshall Stapleton
Chuck Moore
Keith Ogata
Palm Tree
Makani
Mya-Moe Ukuleles
Oceana
Pete Howlett
Lichty
Peter Lieberman: Maui Music Ukulele
Pohaku (Peter Hurney)
Mark Roberts
Sonny D Ukulele
SpruceHouse Ukulele
Trevor Usher
Francesco Verginelli/FV Guitars
Waverlystreet Ukulele
Ziegenspeck Ukulele
43 Comments
No mention of Peter Hurney and Pohaku Ukuleles? I own two of Peter’s ukuleles. If I could afford them I would own more. The first uke I bought from Peter was a curly mahogany with cedar top soprano. It is simply one of the best sounding musical instruments I’ve ever heard. I can play it side by side with any other good ukulele and everyone, including non ukulele players is impressed.
Peter also has a wonderful sense of fun. I think many of his instruments are visually both clever and lovely.
His web address is http://www.pohakuukulele.com/
Thanks for pointing out the omission, Jon. I’ve fixed it and included your comment.
Mr T’s Guitars might belong here. He makes Kiwayas, but also custom-made ukes under his own name. Site’s in Japanese, but Google Translate is there to help, as always.
http://www.guitar-shop.co.jp/ukulele/
Could anyone give me one good luthier with decent ukuleles at cheaper prices?
Hi there,I see that my Resonator Uke Video of “I know you rider” was posted on your blog, thanks. I hope you will consider adding me to your list of custom builders. I make some rather unique resophonic Ukes.
I also post build pics and info as well as video clips to my FB page so folks can see the building process. https://www.facebook.com/JavaJones
Custom build prices tend to be quite high, but these things take many many hours of work to build…It really is a labor of love,
Mahalo,
John Cook
Lightnin’ custom resophonics.
Aloha,
Thanks for compiling such a great list. I’d like to add:
Pegasus by Bob Gleason
http://www.pegasusguitars.com/
and
`Oiwi `Ukuleles by David Tachera
http://www.oiwiukulele.com/
Both of them, awesome luthiers.
One that’s near me is Dave Means: http://www.glyphukulele.com/
any one own a ukulele made by AYERS ???
I have a tenor model utckk koa cutaway
what do you have and any opinions would be appreciated
any one got the same model as me?
let me know what u paid for it and your view on it .
thank you
regards ..andy
If you really want to go premier check out
Ken Pots ukulele
Lives in Maui makes GORGEOUS ukulele’s
http://kpukuleles.com/home.html
I invite you to check out my new website.
http://www.roberts-guitars.com
Also I was recently a featured artist on OPB Art Beat television, for my ukulele work. You can stream the episode at the link below.
http://www.opb.org/programs/artbeat/segments/view/987
I would love to be added please.
Toni: I couldn’t get your link to work.
My daughter is studying Music Therapy at OU. she recorded in nashville this summer and figured out pretty quick she needed a ukulele.
i am totally confused and want to suprise her one for christmas. i would rather purchase something really great vs. a retail version. i am confused. there are so many! can anyone give me a tip or two? here is her sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7lPTqT6AVM
Hi I am a Evan Binkley luthier and ukulele designer based in Hong Kong and I’d like to introduce you to my ukuleles: https://www.facebook.com/FishUkulele
May I recommend that Kerry Char of Portland, Oregon be added to your list of top Ukulele luthiers.
I have several of his instruments and he makes high end wonders…exquisite workmanship and easy to work with Kerry.
http://www.charguitars.com/custom-builds/ukuleles/
Hey guys!
My name is Manu Pozzi, I´m a musician from Argentina and I’m staying here in Oahu until may. I’m also a video maker and I’d like to make a mini video interview to a ukelele luthiers, do you know how I could contact one to ask him/her?
I was told that Locals and Ka’Ohana Ukuleles would be a good idea, cause I’m looking for hand made ukuleles, not mass produced ones.
If you could help me I’d thank you a lot!
Yours,
Manu
Zachary Castro, Ka’Ohana Ukuleles, ohanawoodcraft@msn.com. I recently purchased a six string tenor from him. I could not be more pleased.
Please add Lymana Ukuleles.
http://www.lymanaukulele.com/index.html
How could we not, seeing he created ukuleles for Bill Tapia.
Aloha!
Kindly include Boat Paddle Ukuleles: http://www.boatpaddleukuleles.com
Jerry just built me the most beautiful and best-sounding ukulele I have ever played.
I’m looking for a woman crafted uke from the state of OR.
I started playing dulcimer in Shasta county in Susanville and fell in love with the depth of soul that 4 simple strings can bring to a jam; any female luthiers (even 1st level apprentices), in mind?
I’m an old tree and love the simple sound of strings in the redwoods…
Anyone. What make is my mahogany baritone uke with a buffalo nickel inlay on the headstock?
Got to put in a word here for one of Australia’s great luthiers: Scott Wise. Last year he built me a matching pair of sopranino and soprano ukes. This year I’m adding to the family with one of his customs. Beautiful instruments, full of taste and reserve and wonderful complex sounds. Absolutely straightforward guy to work with, reasonable delays. Can’t speak too highly of him as you can see. Website: http://www.wiseukulele.com/. I’m not related in anyway. Just a very satisfied customer. Cheers and thanks for this great site and all it gives us.
Kevin
I don’t see Deng Do Viet from Hanoi listed. This man is a master luthier and he made me two beautiful, steel string baritone ukuleles. Also, the Gibtone company in Kolkata, Indian custom made a steel string baritone ukulele for me. Both of the instruments are professional quality and I use them in that capacity.
Another great Luthier not on the list is Ricky Claffey who is based in Glasgow, Scotland. He built me a very nice tenor uke and I am extremely pleased with its sound, look and feel. His work was recently reviewed most favourably in the October edition of “Acoustic” mag. (www.acousticmagazine.com)
His website is:
http://www.claffeyguitars.com
Andy, just saw your comment
I also own an Ayers, is yours built by Mike Ayers of california USA?
Mine is a beautiful tenor made of solid lacewood (leopardwood) sides and back with a cedar top, has abalone inlay on the head stock and fret board and Grover tuners. Sounds deep and full.
Bought it 2nd hand for $299 CAD
It’d be nice to see Luis Feu de Mesquita listed. He builds custom tenor ukuleles that look like mini Macaferri guitars. He’s near Toronto, Canada. I’ve had mine for about five years now and my appreciation for it keeps growing.
http://www.lfdmguitars.ca
Kapono Ukulele’s from New Zealand
My father John Hewitt is the maker of these wonderful instruments
Please take a look at our website
http://www.fiddleshop.co.nz
Anybody have any suggestions as to a suitable ukulele luthier for an “alternate-use” ukulele? A series of improbable (yet, in retrospect, inevitable) events has led me to the project of learning and recording the Bach Cello Suites on a Concert Uke tuned in fifths as a viola C3 G3 D4 A4 (through trial and error I have found some classical guitar strings that work well for this tuning). So I’m looking for (1) a more “classical” or possibly “jazz” response/tone from the instrument, which will play mostly single notes, rarely chords (2) even response up and down the fretboard (my current instrument which I have been using for “proof-of-concept” has good response in the lower positions but goes a bit dead higher up) (3) a luthier who will happily add a couple of frets on the high string (need 22 frets to get the highest notes in the sixth suite). So far DeVine Guitars and Mark Roberts look promising. Any others I should look at? Thanks!
The palm tree ukulele is a great ukulele too. I bought one entirely made of koa and it sounds wonderful. John makes a truly unique and quality instrument.
Hi, I am a ukelele player for a hobbie, and i no longer own a ukelele, but i’d like to get a new one. Is there a good sounding, yet inexpensive company (or type of ukelele) that would suit me? i just play and make simple songs, so i don;t need much.
Aloha ya’all … this is Stano from Ke’Ano Ukulele in Georgetown, Kentucky. I am the builder of quality, high-end, custom hand-built ukuleles. I am also the designer of the brand new, patent pending “Ke’Ano BREEZE”. So … if you are interested in a quality hand-built custom ukulele I invite you to check out my ad in Ukulele Magazine and/or take a look at my website at http://www.keanoukulele.com Aloha
http://djmorganukuleles.co.uk/
Here is a review on Got A Ukulele
http://www.gotaukulele.com/2015/08/dj-morgan-mahogany-soprano-review.html
Ron Phillips make wonderful metal guitars and ukuleles. Del Rey and Orville Johnson, among others, play them. Here’s the link:
http://metalgitar.com/models/ukuleles/
Beside Scott Wise, there another great Luthier on the other side of the Australian Continent, Allen McFarlen of Barron River Guitars and Ukuleles.
The fist time I played one of his instruments that was owned by a friend, I commissioned my own build, an eight string tenor. Tone, playability, design, construction are all masterfully delivered.
It is worth a look at the Barron River website to see some of Allen’s gorgeous work.
http://www.brguitars.com/
I can recommend instruments from Black Bear (Duane Heilman) and William King as they are equal or better than any others listed. I understand that neither luthier continues to take orders; so if you run across one, buy it. Dave Talsma is not listed and should be, as his work it amazing. Also not listed is Pegasus (Bob Gleason in Hawaii). Bob is a source of primo Koa ukulele and guitar sets, and is again building. If you want a perfect instrument built with the best Koa available, get your name on one of Bob’s lists. (He doesn’t take orders. When he builds a ukulele, he looks at what folks on his lists have voiced an interest in. I waited several years, but it was worth it.)
How about Beau Hannam?
Or Woodley White? Or Michael Zuch … ?
Hi Al,
Phil Carson Crickmore is an Melbourne based luthier who builds wonderful ukes (I built mine with him), very generous with his knowledge and beautiful instruments http://www.carson-crickmoreguitars.com.au/
keep up the great work you do
cheers
rob
Gary Gill (nephew of David Gill) definitely belongs on this list! I adore my GG uke, and they are all amazing.
Does anyone know anything about Toby Chennell of Jazz Box Ukes.
They look beautiful but I’d appreciate some feedback. He makes archtops, what does this do to the sound – I’da assume make it bigger???
Judith
How about Kaka Ako and Mr. Nigro ?
Larry Hinkle in Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA makes some really nice ukes. Very organic. Rounded edges. You can feel the wood. And great sounding too!
He uses mostly reclaimed woods, including 100 yo piano soundboards.
http://www.hinkle-ukulele.com/
Hello! I am an ukulele builder, and avid ukulele player. Is it possible to get my contact in your luthier directory?
My custom ukulele builds are listed at https://luthiers.com/listing/ctrietsch-ukuleles/
Thank you!
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