The binding, fretboard and bridge are African ebony. Side markers are aluminum. The fretboard has a minimal 20 inch radius. The bridge is a string through type which I prefer for maintaining the longevity of the instrument. Tuners are 14:1 Gotoh SGi 510 minis with ebony buttons. These tuners are sized appropriately for ukuleles and are smooth to adjust. They hold pitch very well.
There is a thin semigloss polyurethane film finish on the top. The soundboard is also protected by a thin clear pickguard. I like to promote the tonal response of the ukulele without sacrificing its durability. I tap tune the plates throughout the building process listening for the best tone I can produce.
The linings are laminated in place and carved. They make for a solid connection between the top and back. The neck is held on with two bolts in threaded inserts. One is on the inside and one goes through a strap button on the neck heel on the outside. There is a reinforced sound port on the upper bout acting as a monitor for the player.
The strings are PHDs with a GHS wound low G. This Mun ebony, Sitka spruce tenor comes with a hard case. $4200
Mun Ebony
Like other wood I've used for many of my recent ukuleles, I've had this back and side set for many years. It's Mun ebony which is a Southeast Asian wood noted for its warm brown background with black or greenish streaks. Like other ebonies it promotes a glassy response which is strong on fundamentals and sustain. The striking looks of this set are a bonus and I had plenty of wood for fret markers and head and back plates. The finish is a minimal penetrating oil and urethane varnish but the ebony probably doesn't need much of anything to look good. An occasional light application of Renaissance Microcrystaline Wax is all it needs.
I used Sitka spruce for the top. This set has a unique varied ray fleck pattern unlike most Sitka. Like the ebony Sitka also promotes the fundamentals and has plenty of headroom for aggressive play. I purchased a billet from a Canadian logger years ago and resawed it into several sets.
The neck is from some black walnut I've used for other instruments. I think it adds to the masculine look of this tenor. Walnut is an underrated neck wood.
