Custom Moore Bettah Soprano Ukulele
Circa 2014. Preowned. Custom Moore Bettah Soprano Ukulele. Beautiful Custom Moore Bettah Soprano Ukulele handcrafted by master luthier Chuck Moore of the Big Island, HI. Chuck handcrafts some of not only the most aesthetically pleasing ukuleles available on the market but also professional recording-level instruments for both the professional musician and recreational player.
This wonderful and extremely rare Moore Bettah soprano ukulele was crafted from the finest materials. Gorgeous master grade Hawaiian curly Koa wood soundboard with a coveted Hawaiian Milo wood back and sides. Hawaiian Milo wood, also known as the Hawaiian Rosewood of the islands, is a coastal-growing tree and a prized local hardwood. It is sought after by woodworkers of all sorts in Hawaii but among the luther community, sourcing quarter-sawn sets is tremendously difficult since the Milo tree does not grow to be very large and often possesses wood rot in the center – being a tree that grows near the shoreline. It is an excellent wood for instruments, being in the family of rosewoods, and was prized by early Hawaiians second only to Kou, to make food bowls (ʻumeke milo), poi calabashes, platters (pā milo), and dishes. The bark was also used as cordage, while the fruits produce a yellowish green dye, medicine, oil, and gum. Milo was considered a sacred tree and the use prohibited by commoners. Today, the wood is still fashioned into beautiful items such as carvings, bowls and platters since it is widely known for its dense nature and beautiful aesthetic properties. Among the wood varieties in Hawaii it is one that is highly regarded for possessing some of the most unique color variations and patters of all of the endemic woods found in Hawaii.
The neck was hand-carved from Spanish Cedar wood and is carbon fiber reinforced for added stability. The soundboard, side, and back of the body boasts an elegant black-white-black purfling line, offering a defined contrast to the reddish hues of this set of Hawaiian Koa and Milo wood. Gorgeous artistic headstock ‘Hawaiian Petroglyph’ inlay handcrafted of Hawaiian Koa wood with matching fretboard ‘Honu’ or, Hawaiian sea turtle, inlay and matching Hawaiian Koa wood position markers on 3, 5, 7, and 14 in keeping with the indigenous theme of the instrument. Matching Hawaiian Koa wood rosette, Gabon Ebony wood fretboard and bridge, and a 14 fret joint to the body for added reach high up on the neck with 17 overall frets to the sound hole – a rare commodity to have on a soprano ukulele since most sopranos have a 12 fret joint to the body. Beautiful high gloss nitrocellulose finish. Pre-installed strap buttons on the neck and butt of the instrument.
The instrument has a big and bold sound for a little soprano with great clarity, projection, and excellent sustain as well. Classic Hawaiian Koa wood bark with the warmth and low end that is surprising out of a small-bodied instrument. This instrument is very well balanced tonally all the way up the neck and spot on intonation as well. Highly recommended player piece. And this is as good as it gets for recording artists, weekend giggers, and the uke-lover at heart! ID#250030
Price: SOLD