Custom Kevin Mason “High Baritone” Ukulele
New. Beautifully handcrafted full custom “high baritone” ukulele handcrafted by master luthier, Kevin Mason, of Wheeling, IL . In 2002, Kevin Mason began building musical instruments after having played guitars, lutes, and other stringed instruments professionally for over 20 years. Since then, he has made mostly acoustic guitars, but also resonator, classical, and jazz guitars. In 2006, he built his first ukulele, and today he focuses on making high quality ukuleles for professional and amateur players alike.
As a small shop craft builder, Kevin believes in making instruments that are beautiful to the eye, using only the best quality solid woods. Because he was a player long before he was a builder, Kevin is sensitive to the touch and easy playability of his instruments, and to the tone and sustain of the instruments he makes. He does not settle for anything less than the best musical instrument possible and is work is gaining in popularity among professional musicians such as Kimo Hussey and recreational players alike. His instruments are known for their light weight, wonderful tone, and exceptional response.
This wonderful custom baritone ukulele was handcrafted from gorgeous set of Macassar Ebony wood on the back and sides paired with a Western Red Cedar soundboard. The combination makes for a fantastic sound with excellent warmth and clarity. Curly Hawaiian Koa wood top and back binding with a matching Koa wood bound fretboard for a nice and smooth feel up and down the neck. The fretboard and bridge have been carved from a musician’s grade Macassar Ebony wood with a matching Ebony wood head-plate in keeping with the theme of the instrument. Stylish black-white-black purfling lines on top, back, sides, fingerboard, and more, giving the contours of the instrument greater definition while attesting to the skill-level of the luthier, Kevin Mason. The neck was carved from Spanish Cedar wood and reinforced with a graphite rod, reducing the weight while adding to the tremendous sustain of the instrument. 13 frets to the body and 18 overall frets to the soundhole and a 12″ radiused fretboard for ease of play in higher positions on the neck. Side sound port for monitor-like experience and accent inlay on the 12th position on the fretboard for quick reference. The ukulele also has side-of-neck position markers inlaid as well for a top-down perspective. Slotted headstock and pinless, string-through bridge. Bone nut and saddle and professional slotted headstock Rubner Old Patina with Snakewood buttons for precise tuning and a hand-rubbed french -polished shellac finish are a few more amenities to this beautiful instrument. Gold mother-of-pearl rosette sandwiched between two curly Hawaiian Koa wood rosette inlays. A gorgeous “plumeria” inlay on the 12th fret has been inlaid for aesthetic appeal.
Termed the “High Baritone”, this instrument has a scale length 18 3/8″ inches and is a response to musicians who want a baritone tuned high. It’s a baritone body with a scale length that falls in between a traditional tenor scale of 17″ and a traditional baritone which is usually around 19″, 20″, or 21″ inches. The scale length and unique bracing pattern affords the player tremendous versatility as the instrument can be tuned up to normal ukulele pitch–GCEA–or down a step to Bb tuning (FBbDG). Kevin also creates a 19 1/2″ scale baritone that he has coined a “medium baritone“, and a 21” scale baritone called a “low baritone” tuned to DGBE. In doing so, Kevin has kept the body shape the same for all models but has altered the scale to accommodate the three different possible pitch levels–DGBE, FBbDG, GCEA–or low, medium, high. This ukulele is the “High Baritone” but does allow for the flexibility in tuinng with GCEA or FBbDG tuning.
A truly wonderful piece of art themed perfectly on a beautifully functioning and professional grade recording instrument. Wonderful depth of tones from this wood combination with remarkable warmth and a balanced low end. Excellent sustain and projection and a true joy to play. The instrument is also very well center balanced which makes for a very comfortable instrument as you cradle it up against your body. A wonderful piece for professional musicians, weekend giggers, and the uke-lover at heart! ID#:220018
Price: SOLD