#984- Bearclaw Spruce and Spalted Maple Tenor Ukulele

This instrument is for our good friend Erin who wanted a bright and clear sound. She chose Spruce for the top, which is always a winner. For the back and sides, we decided to use the spalted Maple that we harvested from another friend’s house last fall. It was from a big leaf Maple tree that was rotting and too close to the house. By the time I got there, most of it was cut up for fire wood, but we split off some good chunks and dried it. It includes curl, color and some spalting, very nice! Erin also dropped off a chunk of Redwood from her parent’s property in California. Unfortunately, it was too far gone to use for a top, so I cut it up to make an abstract endgraft and heel cap. The thin Maple lines are supposed to look like a tree and like the stairs up to her parent’s house. The neck is salvaged Mahogany from a Portland theater and the rest is Pistachio from California orchards. Overall, I like the loud and sweet sound and the pinkish color palette. A special uke for a special and deserving person!