Miscellaneous Acoustics

In addition to Gatos, Osos, Rosas and Infinitos, I've tried building a few other guitar-like instruments, as well as some non-stringed instruments.

Apollo Lyre

This is a 19 string lyre.  It has a small sound box which helps to amplify the sound.   Made of mahogany with a spruce soundboard.

I still own it.  It sits in the corner though so I should probably sell it.

La Piña Tenor Ukulele

This is a tenor ukulele with a pineapple carved back made from a piece of mahogany with a spruce soundboard.  I played it for a summer then decided to sell it.  Hopefully the new owner is enjoying it.

I used a Merlin 2 mini-angle grinder to do the carving.  (If you get one of these, throw away the mini-chain saw.  It is too dangerous to use.)

Prima Balalaika

This is my interpretation of the Russian folk classic.  The body is made of alternating walnut and maple, with a walnut neck, spruce soundboard and maple fretboard.  The wood for the body is carved rather than bent.

Mandolele

This is an eight string ukulele with a mandolin shape.  It is baritone (19 inch) scale length and is tuned like the top eight strings of a 12 string guitar.

This version was made with nylon strings and a cedar soundboard.  I'm sure it could be made with steel strings and a spruce soundboard as well.

Swoosh

Swoosh is a 3 string lute tuned to open DAD tuning.  This is an interpretation of a custom design provided by Ravnkelt.  The headstock resembles a tree branch.  It has a 22 inch scale length.  The Engelmann spruce soundboard gives the steel strings a slightly less harsh sound.

Stratolele

This is a custom ukulele I'm made with the shape of a super-strat (like the Owings S).  The headstock is to mimic a Kramer.  Made using the clamshell technique I use for electric guitars, carving out the inside for a soundbox.