This was a one off instrument, which has now been sold.

This is an incredibly beautiful ukulele, handmade on Vancouver Island by luthier Martin van Humbeck. Martin is extremely skilful, with a lifetime of working with wood and making instruments. His builds keep getting better and better and this tenor ukulele is incredibly to look at, but more importantly, to listen to.

Martin also manages to pack his ukuleles full of well thought-out decorative features, while still making a piece that is harmonious. He explained to me how long he spends laying out the wood for his instruments, to get the best match between back, sides, top and decorations - and the result is clear with this one, #179.

I have long been a fan of cedar as a tonewood, for its balance, its crispness and its volume (being a wood that vibrates freely and therefore sings nicely). However, it can be a criticism, in a world of fancy flamed and exotic grained woods, for it to look a bit plain. However, in this instance the red cedar selected for the top has incredible grain and light and shade. The back and sides are Master Grade Indian Rosewood and again, there’s a blush of red colour in the deep, dark rosewood, that makes it fit in well with the red cedar. These are little touches, but impressive.

Martin has used X-bracing for this instrument, with bubinga binding, Amazonian rosewood fingerboard and a spalted maple asymmetrical soundhole decoration, inlaid with Paua abalone. The headplate is also rosewood, with a gorgeous mother of pearl hummingbird decoration. This is undoubtedly quite ‘showy’, but in the context of a stunning instrument like this, not too overt. The ukulele has a tru-oil finish, which gives a nice amount of shine, while allowing the wood to breath and resonate.

Matin has used Worth Clear strings, Gotoh UPT geared tuners and supplies this ukulele with a tweed hard case. Oh, and I almost forgot the side soundport - there’s so much to talk about with this uke! The nut with is 36.5mm.

The sound is astonishing. Yes, this is a ukulele that doesn’t come cheap, but when you hear it burst into life, so rich, resonant, sweet, loud and chiming all at once - with a fantastic bass response matched by crisp trebles, then you realise why. You can feel the uke vibrating in your chest when you play - it really captures your heart. A top class ukulele from a top class builder.

For a video demo of this Martin Beck Tenor Ukulele, click additional info below.

For common accessories and customisations (like strap buttons / low G fitting) scroll down to the bottom of the page where you'll be able to add these common items to your basket.