Custom Hoffmann Tenor Ukulele

(C.2015). Mint. Beautiful Hoffmann Tenor Ukulele handcrafted by Jerry Hoffmann of Hoffmann Lutherie of New Haven, Missouri.

Jerry Hoffmann Biography

The Hoffmann shop is located in downtown New Haven MO, a small Missouri riverfront town about 50 miles west of St. Louis, Missouri. He began building instruments in 2005 while he was still publishing the Blacksmith’s Journal, a monthly publication that covered architectural ironwork and artist blacksmith techniques. By 2007 he was building instruments full-time. Before the Journal, he owned a blacksmith’s shop that produced hand forged architectural ironwork for the St. Louis Missouri area. His education is in graphic arts and he worked for Typographic Sales, Inc. designing special fonts for photo typesetting machines until 1976 when he opted for self-employment first as a farrier, then blacksmith, then publisher, and finally as a luthier. He has made over 300 instruments, using many of his earlier experiences to refine his instrument building techniques.

This beautiful Hoffmann tenor ukulele was handcrafted from master grade Western Red Cedar wood for a warm and well-rounded tone and the back and sides are of the coveted Brazilian Rosewood, one of the world’s finest tone woods available on the market.  Gorgeous bloodwood top and back binding with a matching bound bloodwood sound hole, a Brazilian Rosewood rosette, Macassar Ebony wood fingerboard and bridge have all been handpicked with a subtle but elegant theme of the instrument. The neck has been carved from Maple wood and includes a bolt on for added structural integrity. Hoffmann Lutherie also employs a short neck heel for easy reach in the higher positions. Matching Macassar Ebony wood fretboard binding for smooth play up and down the neck. Gorgeous top, back, side, and headstock purling lines give a nice definition and highlight the counters of the design of the instrument. Mother-of-pearl matching position markers on the fretboard for quick reference. The tuners are Gotoh UPT Planetary geared tuners with black buttons for precise tuning.

The Brazilian rosewood back and sides, combined with the Western Red Cedar top, give this instrument a true resonant tone. Nice crisp and clean tones all the way up the neck with balanced lows and a nice mid-rage as well.  Excellent clarity, wonderful sustain, and projection as well. ID#:180121

Price: SOLD