Custom Barron River Soprano Ukulele

Preowned. Handcrafted by renowned Cairns luthier Allen McFarlen, this custom Barron River 14-Fret Joint Soprano Ukulele is an exceptional example of Australian craftsmanship. Allen is widely regarded as one of Australia’s foremost builders of custom ukuleles, creating only a limited number of instruments each year. His ukuleles are sought after by musicians and collectors around the world for their refined aesthetics, exceptional playability, and distinctive voice. Each instrument is individually handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a functional work of art that is as inspiring to play as it is to admire.

This Custom Barron River Soprano Ukulele showcases an outstanding selection of premium tonewoods, carefully paired to deliver both stunning visual appeal and remarkable tonal performance. The back and sides are crafted from beautiful Hormigo, while the soundboard is fashioned from Ancient Sitka Spruce, radiocarbon dated to be approximately 2,800–3,000 years old. This rare soundboard offers exceptional clarity, responsiveness, projection, and dynamic range. Native to Central and South America, Hormigo is a dense, naturally lustrous tropical hardwood prized for its striking colors, ranging from warm orange-red to deep purplish-brown. Often referred to as the “singing wood” for its exceptional acoustic properties, it has long been favored in the construction of marimbas, guitars, and other fine musical instruments. With rich harmonic complexity, excellent sustain, and articulate note separation, Hormigo has earned recognition among many master luthiers as an outstanding alternative to the increasingly scarce Brazilian Rosewood.

This beautiful Barron River soprano ukulele also features a distinctive body design, which is slightly smaller than a traditional soprano while retaining the projection, sustain, and fullness of tone expected from the size. The result is a remarkably comfortable and responsive instrument with a voice that belies its compact dimensions. Beautiful appointments include Barron River’s signature reconstructed stone headstock inlay, a Nouveau-style Hormigo sapwood rosette, and matching Hormigo sapwood position markers at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, and 15th frets. A rare 14-fret neck-to-body joint provides greater access to the upper register, an uncommon and highly desirable feature on a soprano ukulele. The neck is carved from premium Honduran Mahogany, selected for its stability and excellent tonal transfer. A Gabon Ebony fingerboard, bridge, and headstock veneers provide durability while complementing the instrument’s elegant aesthetic. Matching ebony binding frames both the top and back, creating a striking contrast against the Ancient Sitka Spruce and richly figured Hormigo body. The instrument is finished in a flawless high-gloss polyurethane and fitted with premium Gotoh UPT geared tuners for smooth, precise tuning. Pre-installed strap buttons complete this stage-ready instrument.

The warmth and pronounced low-end response of Hormigo combine beautifully with the crisp attack, responsiveness, and projection of the Ancient Sitka Spruce soundboard, producing a remarkably balanced voice with excellent sustain, sparkling articulation, and impressive dynamic range. Exceptionally lightweight and perfectly balanced, this Barron River delivers a lively, expressive sound equally suited to delicate fingerstyle playing and energetic strumming A highly sought-after custom ukulele from one of Australia’s most respected luthiers, this instrument represents a wonderful opportunity for the discerning collector, professional musician, or recreational player seeking a truly exceptional handmade soprano. #260035

Price: $2,000.00