Steel String Ukulele, Myrtlewood Baritone – the Flood Uke
When we awoke the morning after a fierce storm (that dumped four inches of rain!) hammered the shop at Lichty Guitars, we could not have imaged any good could come of it. Rainwater dripped down from the ceiling, spilling from wet pockets of soaked sheetrock. Countless sets of wood that had been carefully stacked and sorted glistened from water splattering everywhere. The floor looked like a wading pond. Thankfully the damage was limited to one room. Of course, we moved into high alert mode and dove in for clean up and to stop the ongoing deluge. In short order we mopped up water, stripped out all the soaking wet insulation from the ceiling, pulled back the flooring to allow the subfloor to dry, restacked and pressed all the wood and Jay spent quite a while on the roof in the lingering rain taking care of the source of the leak. It was impossible to access just how much damage had been done at that point. The glaring and heartbreaking issue that was most obvious was a water-soaked custom ukulele that had been days away from completion. It was hanging from the ceiling just below the biggest leak and it literally filled up with water like a bowl. It was crazy warped and (we thought) a total loss. Our customer was totally understanding and Jay immediately got to work on a new custom uke for them. The damaged uke just hung there looking forlorn.
Once the dust had settled (well, water in this case) Jay reinspected the flood uke. To our surprise, the areas that had been twisted up had pretty much straightened out. While it could not be built for resale, the thing was so darn beautiful and was such a fun project (a steel string baritone) that Jay decided to try finishing it as a ukulele he would keep.
Now, weeks later with strings on, Jay has completed this uke and you would be hard pressed to see any damage. Most importantly, he absolutely LOVES the way this instrument plays and sounds. It is inspiring some great music writing as well. If it had not been for the flood he would not have gotten to keep this instrument.
To our utter surprise something tremendously great came out of the flood. We are pretty happy about the outcome!
Lichty Steel String Baritone Ukulele Audio Samples
Mom's Song (Jay Lichty) - Jay Lichty
Sun King (John Lennon and Paul McCartney)
I've Got Rhythm (George Gershwin) - George Gerswhin
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Features: Steel string baritone ukulele with cutaway, myrtlewood back, sides and headplate, Port Oxford cedar top, mahogany neck, ebony radiused fretboard with koa binding, ebony bridge, koa body binding, slotted bound headstock, side soundport, wooden rosette, camel bone bridge and saddle, K&K pick-up
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