While most ukuleles look like mini guitars, other popular forms have emerged. like the Bell, the Pineapple, and the Fluke, to name a few. The variety may be due to the uke's reputation as a whimsical, "fun" instrument, inspiring non-conformity in design; also, the uke's small size makes experimenting with design relatively easy and inexpensive, as compared with the guitar.

For someone like me who likes to design and make things of wood, and who also likes ukulele music, the uke's design possibilities have proven irresistible. I have not been immune to the whimsy factor either.

My ukuleles are different from most others mainly because I don't make them to look like small guitars. Also, I make the sides differently, not out of bent wood but of bandsawn wood. This makes the instrument a little heavier, but with the small size of the uke, we're not talking about a big issue here, and some even prefer the heft and solidity of a few added ounces. The impact on the sound possibilities of the instrument are about zero as far as I can tell, the soundboard or top being the part of the instrument mainly responsible for how it sounds. And I make my necks straight, without the taper you will see with most ukes. The necks I make are either 1 1/2" wide or 1 9/16" wide on some models--a width that corresponds to the width at the 4th-6th fret on a "regular" soprano ukulele. And finally, I use the "neck-through" system to attach the strings at the bridge. The strings go through small holes to the underside of the top where they are tied to small beads that hold them in place. This method is not the usual uke method, but it is not rare either (and the strings also go through on guitars that have string pegs). I use this method because it has advantages in terms of the structural integrity of the instrument, and some will even tell you it makes for better sound transmission from the strings to the soundboard.

I make ukuleles in the wood shop of 2nd Chance Wood Co. in Durand, MI. The ukes are made entirely of reclaimed wood from old Michigan barns and other local sources.

I sell my ukuleles through the retail outlet at 2nd Chance Wood Co., and now through Etsy as well--beginning in September of 2018. Look for additional items to be added at Etsy from time to time.

I am open to custom orders on models not in stock, or even ultra-custom orders for models I haven't made yet--always open to new ideas. To see some of the types of instruments I have made so far ebyond the Etsy listings, check out my blog at http://extravagantukuleles.blogspot.com/ or the 2nd Chance Wood Co. facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/2ndchancewood/.

Email contact: raberdavid [!at] yahoo.com.