Ukulele Wood

By custom ukulele – we mean a ukulele that is built just for you. That process begins when you select the specific piece of wood that you’d like your instrument to be built from. We have on hand, at all times, a wide selection of premium exotic and domestic woods. Look through our selection and see which set of wood “has your name on it.”

“I look for wood that speaks to me both visually and tonally. What I’m after is wood that has that wow factor – a powerful blend of  stop-you-in-your-tracks beauty and a rich tonal quality.  Selection of the very best wood is where the joy in building each guitar begins.” – Jay

 

A few things to note:

• Click on the image of the tonewood gallery name and you will open up a gallery that includes all sets we currently have.
• Look to our Guitar  Tonewood Page for additional options, though up-charges due occur when selecting a guitar set to be used for your custom ukulele
• For most types of tonewoods you can also click on the instrument gallery to see finished instruments built from that wood
• Visit our Customize Your Own Ukulele if you are interested in a custom guitar or ukulele and would like to know the additional cost (if any) of that specific kind of wood
• Putting a finish on wood transforms its color and warmth. Images of unfinished wood requires a bit of imagination to picture the vibrancy of the finished instrument.
• If you do not see what you are looking for we can contact our premium suppliers and round most anything up
• Instruments build from Brazilian Rosewood may not ship outside the US, given current laws enacted to protect this species

If you are wondering what is the best ukulele tonewood, we invite you to read the following post: Best Acoustic Guitar Tonewood / Best Ukulele Tonewood ?

Here is a sample of our current wood supply

European Beech Ukulele Tonewood

European Beech Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

European Beech Instrument Gallery

Black Limba Ukulele Tonewood

Black Limba, which is the sapwood and heartwood of the White Limba tree is similar in quality to mahogany and yet its distinct figure sets it apart from any other tonewood.

One set available

Brazilian Rosewood Ukulele Tonewood

Brazilian Rosewood is a protected species and the wood is therefore becoming increasingly hard to find. We look for old growth and CITES Certified wood. Brazilian Rosewood is considered to be the premier tonewood by luthiers and guitar and ukulele players. It is currently one of our most popular woods for custom order ukes.

Brazilian Rosewood Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

(sizes are indicated when you hover over the image)

Brazilian Rosewood Instrument Gallery

Bubinga Ukulele Tonewood

Bubinga grows in Africa and though not a true rosewood, it is often referred to as  African Rosewood, It is as hard as the rosewoods, but has a finer texture. It has great stability and tone and makes a beautiful instrument.

Bubinga Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Bubinga Instrument Gallery

Cherry Ukulele Tonewood

Cherry is domestic tonewood that is comparable in tone and quality to Walnut and Maple.

Cherry Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Cocobolo Ukulele Tonewood

A true rosewood from Central America that compares with Brazilian Rosewood in terms of tonal quality, warmth and stunning beauty.

Cocobolo Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Cocobolo Instrument Gallery

Granadillo Ukulele Tonewood

Granadillo is often referred to as Black Cocobolo. It is a non-porous dense wood that produces a bright taptone and long sustain. It has a deep rich and a few of our sets have beautifully figured spalted mid-lines.

Granadillo Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Granadillo Instrument Gallery

Hormigo Ukulele Tonewood

Hormigo is a tree that grows in the humid forest zones in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras . When struck it produces a beautiful bell-like tone. It is appropriately called “the wood that sings”

One set currently available

Hormigo Instrument Gallery

Indian Rosewood Ukulele Tonewood

A favorite among luthiers, Indian Rosewood is one of the most stable rosewoods and has a deep, rich tone and beautiful  brown color (and sometimes purple hue).

Indian Rosewood Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Indian Rosewood Instrument Gallery

Koa Ukulele Tonewood

A classic for ukuleles, Koa is one of the most sought after tonewoods given its beautiful figure and rich tone.

Koa Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Koa Instrument Gallery

Lacewood Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Harvested from the South American rainforests, Lacewood shares similar characteristics with Mahogany and yet is notably stiff and light, producing a big full tone.

Lacewood Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Maple Ukulele Tonewood

Maple Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Maple Tonewood Instrument Gallery

Mahogany Ukulele Tonewood

Mahogany is one of the most stable tonewoods and is also used for soundboards. It produces a balanced woody tone with a powerful midrange. We typically have a variety of types of Mahogany on hand.

Mahogany Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Mahogany Instrument Gallery

Pau Ferro Ukulele Tonewood

Pau Ferro is denser  than Indian and Brazilian Rosewood and has an incredible tap-tone.  The color of this wood comes to life under a finish, with chocolates, creams, reds, and golds throughout the grain.

Pau Ferro Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Pau Ferro Instrument Gallery

Purple Heart Ukulele Tonewood

One set currently available

Sapele

One set currently available

Sapele Instrument Gallery

Walnut – Claro

Walnut Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Walnut Instrument Gallery

Wenge

Wenge is a dense African wood with tight straight grain. It is a heavier wood than Indian Rosewood and Brazilian with excellent projection and sustain.

Wenge Ukulele Tonewood Gallery

Soundboards

Options include Engelmann Spruce, Adironack Spruce, Sitka Spruce, European Spruce, Sinker Redwood, Curly Redwood, Western Red Cedar, Koa, Mahogany, and hand painted custom tops. Please inquire for sets beyond those featured in the gallery. Too, note Baritone or Tenor size by hovering over image.

Ukulele Soundboard Gallery

Instrument Soundboard Gallery