I had been searching for a source of contemporary, handmade Ukuleles that were not built in Asia. I’m not opposed to instruments manufactured overseas, it’s just that there is such a glut of them and the quality is really hit or miss. I didn’t want a huge selection, I wanted a select few of good quality and with a price point that didn’t have folks over-extending themselves.
I found my answer in a line of instruments handmade in Portugal, the birthplace of the Ukulele, or rather the source of the instruments that were later to become the guy we know today. The contemporary instrument was developed in the 1880s as a combination of the Madeiran braguinha and rajão. A braguinha is an instrument similar to a cavaquinho, built in the city of Braga and named after it; the Portuguese cavaquinho is usually tuned in D-G-B-D, a G-major chord. The Madeira rajão is tuned D-G-C-E-A. The D and G strings are both re-entrant, i.e., tuned an octave higher than expected in the normal low-to-high course of strings. The GCEA strings of the rajão are the source of the re-entrant tuning of the modern ukulele.[1.]
Tornavoz Music is a highly respected purveyor of upscale classical guitars but they also represent a forward-thinking young company called Cordoba. The design team at Cordoba are the first in developing a nylon string guitar for steel string players with a neck and action much like that found on a Martin D-28.
They also have developed a line of Solid Koa Ukuleles which are handmade to their design specifications in Portugal. The old adage "what goes around comes around," is pertinent in this situation.
I am carrying their Concert, Tenor and Tenor cut away Ukes with onboard electronics. The workmanship is excellent and of the four Concerts I inspected I only found one small fret burr and of course the solid Koa bodies and necks are a pure delight. I also received an all Koa Six string electric cutaway classical. The amplified sound of this instrument has made it impossible to put down. The Koa Concerts with a really nice canvas gig bags are priced a $269.00. The acoustic Tenor is $309.00. The electric Tenor with single cutaway is $369.00 and Koa Classic is $1000.00 plus having to pry it away from me.
A word here to mention the innovative designers and the founder of Cordoba whose academic and design credits I don’t have the room for in this blog..but briefly: The Founder is Tim Miklaucic who studied classical guitar with Celin Romero while also completing degrees in Chemistry and Philosophy at UCSD ; Kenny Hill is chief designer and production manager of all Iberia and Fusion series guitars: Ted Blochinger a master builder who has worked closely with the Romero Family and handcrafts only 10 instruments a year, he is the designer and overseer of all Espana, Artist and Custom Artist level guitars made in Spain. Look for the fusion series and the La Playa beach guitar coming in the future.
Aloha from the Garden Isle,
Tyler
[1.] Wikipedia
