Custom Kinnard ‘Long Scale’ Tenor Ukulele
Circa 2019. Preowned. Beautiful John Kinnard ‘Long Scale’ Tenor Ukulele handcrafted in Fallbrook, California with the utmost attention to detail and tone. This beautiful Custom John Kinnard ‘Long Scale’ Tenor ukulele is the masterpiece in fit, finish, playability and tone and has a long scale of 18 inches compared to the traditional scale from nut to saddle of 17 inches. The instrument can be tuned to gCEA tuning or re-entrant GCEA tuning. It also sounds wonderful in played 2 semitones below standard C tuning (i.e a full step). This would put it in Bb tuning or F Bb D G.
The instrument has tremendous range, sustain, and versatility. It is a remarkable instrument that offers a full and rich tone. This is a unique piece that would be treasured among even the most renowned professional ukulele musicians and the recreational player alike.
John Kinnard Biography
Nestled in the foothills of northern San Diego County just inland from the coast, sits the small village of Fallbrook, California. Known for its mild climate and laid back lifestyles, artisans of different genres cultivate their craft inspired by the beauty of the valleys and mountains that surround the town.
One such artist is John S. Kinnard, an “old school” luthier who has established himself as a master of his trade in a day when CNC machines cough out “cookie cutter” parts to be assembled like a child’s puzzle.
Working out of his one man shop, John arguably builds some of the finest stringed instruments in the world by hand. He does them one by one – molding and shaping the parts and assembling them to create instruments that not only look stunning when completed, but also possess something that the mass produced instruments lack – the soul of the luthier. John has been building guitars, mandolins and ukuleles in a career that has spanned more than forty five years and is best known as the luthier behind the Dell’ Arte brand of gypsy style guitars played around the world. Like many artists, his creativity spills over into other mediums including oil and watercolor painting and also jewelery making – talents that have served him well in making him the luthier he is today.
From painting he developed an eye for proportion and style. From designing and making jewelry it trained him to look for the smallest flaws and build with an attention to detail that has become the hallmark of his work as a luthier. When people talk about the construction of his instruments the one word you hear more than any other is the word “clean”. Building with superior materials together with top shelf construction and attention to detail, you end up with a beautiful instrument. Add in the soul of the luthier and you end up with an instrument that is something organic and very special. That is what John strives for in every instrument he builds…
Beautiful Style 3 Custom John Kinnard ‘Long Scale’ Tenor Ukulele. Highly figured Cocobolo wood back and sides with a Torrified Sitka spruce soundboard. Center back strip of Hawaiian Koa wood for aesthetic appeal and matching Hawaiian Koa wood strip inlay on the neck in keeping with the theme of the instrument. The Sitka spruce soundboard was meticulously hand-tuned, giving this ukulele a wonderful and bold tone. It boasts a Gabon Ebony wood fretboard and bridge with a slight radius on the fingerboard for ease of play higher up on the neck. , Cocobolo wood headstock veneer in keeping with the gorgeous theme of the instrument. Hawaiian Koa wood top and back binding and a Cocobolo wood end graph, and a series 3 motif accent Cocobolo wood and paua shell rosette are a few more amenities that add to the beauty of this long scale Kinnard tenor ukulele. A double carbon fiber reinforced 3-pieced Mahogany wood neck with floating inlay in Hawaiian Koa has also been employed to match the back and sides of the instrument. Cutaway for quick and easy reach higher up on the neck. Professional Gotoh UPT tuners for smooth and precise tuning. Z-slotted headstock and side sound port for monitor like experience. Zero fret. High gloss finish on the body with a satin neck finish. Professional Misi ‘Air Trio’ pick up for quick plug and play and strap buttons on the neck and butt of the instrument.
A beautifully handcrafted custom ukulele with great ease of play, comfort, and tone. Excellent projecting, sustain, and clarity. A wonderful instrument handcrafted by a skilled luthier who finds excellent balance between aesthetics, function, and tone. ID#200035
Price: SOLD