This is a handmade Martin Beck ukulele, number 199, from Vancouver Island in Canada. It was made by celebrated luthier Martin van Humbeck, using beautiful solid rainbow red cedar for the top and solid AAAA grade Hawaiian koa on the back and sides. Martin's work has been reviewed on Got A Ukulele and equalled the highest ever scores given for a uke there. Yes, this is a world class tenor uke.

When testing out a Martin Beck ukulele for the first time, you get the thrill of hearing the brilliance of the sound... not to mention they must be the nicest smelling ukuleles I've ever come across. I mean, not that that's particularly the biggest selling point, but still - it's worth pointing out! As a ukulele retailer, once that great first impression is over, it's time to look at the specification sheet for this one of a kind instrument and start getting to grips with the sheer number of different features and decorative touches. There's lots to report on, though it is important to note how harmoniously all of these features come together.

Starting at the top, the headstock is faced with camphor burl, a gorgeous looking wood, inlaid with the Beck logo in mother of pearl. The neck, which has a 36.5mm nut width, is made from mahogany with carbon fibre reinforcement. The Gold Evo frets are beautifully finished and there are mother of pearl position markers on the Amazon rosewood fingerboard. That fingerboard also has a slight (16" radius) for added comfort - as the curve follows the natural shape of your fingers.

The body, which has a tru-oil finish, features rainbow red cedar, which is very pretty with its colourful shimmer. The back and sides are made from highly figured Hawaiian koa - adding a little extra expense to this model, but adding plenty of visual flair too. There's a side sound port featuring an abstract interpretation of the early stages of a maple leaf's development, plus pomelle bubinga binding.

The soundhole inlay, with its lovely organic, asymmetric shape, is made from camphor birl, abalone and bubinga, tying in well with the same materials used elsewhere in this uke build.

Excellent Gotoh 510i super mini geared tuners are fitted, with ebony buttons, as are Worth Clear fluorocarbon strings. These are high G, but there's an included Fremont low G in the supplied hard case too (a fancy white crossrock case), if you fancy a change. There's a tintul strap button fitted, with the same hardwood used for the bridge pins. Oh, and if you can see a tiny ridge on the top in the pictures, that’s just a scratch guard made of transparent plastic, which is attached to the top to prevent marking to the cedar.

The tone of this Martin Beck tenor ukulele is just bursting to get out. It's loud, classy and with a resonance that you can feel when you play, with the vibrations going into your chest. It's clear, with epic sustain, and a wonderful chime. If you can stop sniffing the soundhole long enough to play it, you'll not be disappointed by the vibrant, harmonically rich tone.

Martin’s many years of building, his skills and knowledge have come together to produce a truly stunning instrument here. Truly stunning. He’s a lovely fella too, genuine, hardworking and warm. Which doesn’t make the uke any better (could anything?), but is a nice added extra, that it was crafted by someone so nice.