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This is a recently completed (early 2014) tenor ukulele where the customer wanted special inlays using an Art Deco theme. The headstock is based on a frieze above the entrance to Rockefeller Center by early 20th-century architectural sculpter Lee Lawrie depicting “Knowledge” (or Zeus if you like). The fingerboard inlay is based on the sculpture of Atlas (also by Lawrie) that is located in Rockefeller Plaza. The inlay uses gold and white MOP with various types of reconstituted stone. The instrument is made of Cocobolo Rosewood with a Lutz Spruce top and Curly Koa body and fingerboard binding.

This was one of my most frustrating builds, and as odd as it may sound, the inlay was actually the easier part. I set out to build this with a beautiful curly redwood top. The color was stunning with the Cocobolo. I had to replace it after the box was closed because of compression fractures(thus the Spruce top). It was also my first time working with Cocobolo, and besides the color bleeding, the back cracked (I assume humidity since it was the coldest and driest winter I can remember). After the temperature and humidity rose (middle of March) I repaired, refinished, and the repair is invisible. In the end, the customer (who was in on all of this from the beginning) is very happy with the uke and wants another.

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Kevin Mason
Mason Guitars and Ukuleles on Facebook
http://masonguitars.net

Wow! Some top-notch work!
Love it!

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Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

Nice one Kevin, like the work. The rosette style contrasts nicely with the inlay.
Can I ask, what's the binding?

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Colin, it's Curly Koa.

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Kevin Mason
Mason Guitars and Ukuleles on Facebook
http://masonguitars.net

Nice uke! That's some great looking coco

Very nice!

Beautiful instrument, Kevin. The headstock inlay is just stunning!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Nice inlay!

That is some fine craftsmanship! If you don't mind what's your background and what brought you to this craft ?

Tim

HOT DOG! That looks great!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Looks phenomenal!

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久保
美智え

What brought me to this? I have been a musician all my life, and at age 50, got the urge to build a guitar even though I had no real woodworking background. One led to another, and another. I've gotten help from local builders from time to time, and this forum has been a huge source of information in helping me learn. If you are talking about the inlays, I have no background as an artist, but I have been interested in inlay from the beginning. I have taken a couple of classes taught by Grit Laskin recently, and I think you can see his influence in this ukulele.

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Kevin Mason
Mason Guitars and Ukuleles on Facebook
http://masonguitars.net

Like the art deco inspiration; your inlays are over the top.

Yum!

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the encouraging words.

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Kevin Mason
Mason Guitars and Ukuleles on Facebook
http://masonguitars.net

I love the headstock.

That's amazing!

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We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at guitars.

Very nice! What material did you use for the red parts of the inlay?

Barry, I used Medium Coral recon stone. The color is brighter than the head stock picture. I should see if I have a better photo.

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Kevin Mason
Mason Guitars and Ukuleles on Facebook
http://masonguitars.net