the latest NEWS
All the latest stuff. Dave's musings, announcements, deep thoughts, haikus...all that kind of stuff.
Workin’ on the websites
So we've got our fancy new WordPress theme going and it's time to make the websites work and look better. As you may have guessed by how often I update the websites, it's not my favorite thing. It's not a lot of fun sitting at the computer tinkering with widgets and...
Ukulele "Dragon" is complete! Click to see her complete update and gallery.
Our GHS Strings are Here!
Our artist-curated GHS strings just came in. These are string sets that Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel worked with GHS to develop. We've been very happy with how these tested and these will be our new OEM strings for our IDeale™ and tenor ukuleles. They have good...
We’re headed to the 2015 Reno Ukulele Festival!
The workshop wall is totally empty! The ukes are all packed up. The van is ready to go. Let's do it! We're looking forward to seeing old friends, making new ones and hearing lots of ukulele music. Dad is totally amped and he'll be with me in the booth. Safe...
We are starting to pack up for Reno!
The ukuleles are done and we're packing them up! Can't wait to see everyone and hear some strummin', pickin' and singin'! We've got concerts, IDeales, tenors, 4-strings, 5-strings, acoustics, electrics, chopstick bracing... even a left-handed, 5-string Manzer wedge!...
You can win this ukulele at the 2015 Reno Ukulele Festival!
This is the ukulele that we will be giving away at the upcoming Reno Ukulele Festival! Her name is "The Bernoulli Principle." How did she end up with such an unfortunate name? Sorry, it's just how my brain works. As the ukulele was coming together, I was...
Lots going on in the shop these days
We're working on a lot of Keystones including a very special chopsticks braced one. We've just added the finish on the interiors of this set and we'll be closing them up this week. We've added this step of finishing the insides to increase the weatherproofing of our...
Sound sample – “Dream” – Keystone tenor
http://youtu.be/XVJ366wlKts This song, "Cognitive Dissonance" is an original composition written and performed by brudduh Jion Jugo from Roseville, California.
Shop Update – “Maria”
Updates on ukulele "Maria" December 26, 2014. Soundboard has been braced and the bridge plate is in place. The interior of the body has three coats of finish and has been final sanded. Also the K&K Sound Twin Spot internal pickup has been installed. Next...
New semi-hollow soprano “Maria” is underway
She looks a little like a candy bowl at this point but her semi-hollow body is taking shape. Progress! Smile when you play that!™
Savanna
Dear Dave, I just wanted to send you a note to tell you again how completely thrilled and content I am with my beautiful, new, hand-carved Iriguchi Ukulele. The tone is so rich and clear, my heart can barely let my hands stop playing. Ukulele "Savanna" has brought so...
Sound Sample: iUbass: “Cthukulele” – semi-hollow, FatBottom electric bass
Michael Powers stopped by our both at the 2013 Reno Ukulele Festival and took the "Cthukulele" iUbass for a test drive. He played it for a few minutes and then asked us if we'd bring it to his show that night in the Orozko Lounge in the Nugget Hotel where he was...
Shop Update – The Monkey
First update for The Monkey, a Birdseye and Poplar tenor with a Maple neck. We're actually not sure of the origin of the name but we couldn't resist placing this video to put us in the mood. Shock the Monkey! So now that we have a soundtrack to our update, here we go!...
Three new ukuleles make their debuts!
Three new ukuleles are ready to leave the shop. Click on the links below to see more pictures of them in the gallery. Akinori - Keystone concert ukulele in ancient Kauri wood and Poplar Duke - Keystone tenor ukulele in Birdseye Maple and deeply mineral-stained Poplar...
Shop Update – “Duke”
Duke is flowing smoothly through the shop. Terrific progress. He'll be in finishing this week. Smile when you play that!™
Shop update – “Maples”
May 19, 2012 Maples will go to finish this week. Pretty complex build for a Keystone with lots of little keystone details. The sound hole, side soundport, heel cap and bridge are all keystone shaped. Maples is currently in final sanding and will head to...
Shop Update – Breeze
May 14, 2012 It was fretboard day in the shop yesterday. We were cutting, slotting and fretting lots of boards. Got a new shipment of Rosewood in, one of the few fairly exotic woods we still use. We're still looking for a good, more common alternative. Breeze...
Up to our elbows in sawdust… oh yeah.
Let's see where do we start? We've got lots going on in the shop these days. So here we go. Akinori Akinori is of course my Dad. After having him play many ukuleles we've finally settled on the right design for him. Akinori will be a Keystone acoustic/electric concert...