Custom I’iwi Tenor Ukulele
Custom ‘I’iwi ukulele. Phenomenal player uke! Custom ʻI’iwi Tenor Ukulele handcrafted by luthier Charlie Fukuba of Makakilo, Oahu. This special piece is the premier model offered by ʻI’iwi Ukuleles and is a testimony to the ʻI’iwi Ukulele commitment to the finest materials and craftsmanship in skilled luthiery by one of Hawaii’s foremost custom ukulele luthiers, Charlie Fukuba.
Gorgeous master grade Maple wood back with matching Maple wood sides and tight-grained Bearclaw Sitka spruce soundboard; this full custom ʻI’iwi ukulele also boasts an instrument grade West African Gabon ebony fretboard and bridge with a matching Gaboon Ebony wood headstock veneer. Elegant and complimentary top, back, and side profile purfling lines for aesthetic appeal.
The fretboard has been radiused for ease of play and is an exclusive attribute of Charlie’s best works. The radius on the fretboard provides added comfort on the wrist angle, especially at higher positions up on the neck. Radiused soundboard for increased resonance and projection. The neck itself has been carved from Honduras mahogany with a graphite composite rod insert for increased structural integrity and sustain and as a new feature is now a bolt-on neck that is accessed through the strap pin at the butt of the instrument. Diamond-shaped abalone shell markers on positions 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 add for a quick and accurate reference point to each chord. Gorgeous abalone shell rosette and matching abalone shell top purfling capture the true ‘Aloha Spirit’ by which this gorgeous instrument was handcrafted. Professional Gotoh 1:4 geared tuners for smooth and precise tuning, this piece has been meticulously handcrafted with the utmost attention to detail – bearing its signature inlay of the ʻI’iwi bird and the native Hawaiian ‘mamane’ flower at the headstock.
Tonally, this piece is a true gem and a remarkable piece for recording musicians or weekend jam sessions. Full recording level instrument with wonderful tones. This instrument has a slightly more subdued sound with a warmer tone in spite of the perception of a Maple and spruce wood combination typically being bit more bright and punchy. This is a first for I’iwi in this wood combination and as usual it does not disappoint with excellent projection and sustain as well. This beauty has the sound of a seasoned instrument although it was only recently completed. The tones are absolutely wonderful on this ukulele ~ very full and well-balanced tones all the way up the neck. Highly recommended for the seasoned player or aspiring ukulele enthusiast.
Price: SOLD