This is a simply gorgeous, amazing quality ukulele from Millar, a 5A grade all solid Hawaiian Mango jumbo body tenor ukulele. This particular variant has rope style binding around the body and soundhole, and is fitted with Worth strings, in high G tuning.

This is a custom made instrument, exclusive to World of Ukes and Southern Ukulele Store. Alex from SUS, a committed mangophile, floated the idea of using Millar’s custom workshop (where instruments are made entirely by their head luthier) to produce a high end instrument, using the fantastic top-grade mango they’ve been able to source. With his specification, where he wanted to go with the larger body with a regular tenor scale, I added decorative elements and the rest was down to Millar.

Having tried some of their custom instruments firstly in 2020, and witnessing how their top instruments can sit proudly at the top table of ukuleles today, it was with great excitement that I opened the box to investigate. I didn’t expect to be disappointed and was far from being so when I cast my eyes on that simply gorgeous mango, with its ridges of light and dark. The wood alone is a work of art - before you add in the binding, Millar’s stylish logo on the sleek slotted headstock and the graceful arc of its jumbo body.

This Millar custom jumbo mango (I have to try hard not to write Mumbo Jumbo every time I write that), is equipped with high G Worth strings, a bone nut and saddle, the 35mm nut that I favour and top quality Gotoh geared tuners which work like a dream. The ukulele has a satin finish which is super-smooth. If you had bedsheets made from this wood, they’d probably be smoother than satin (but it probably would be a bit hard for a good night’s sleep). You see, with instruments like this, I am prone to saying silly things in my excitement!

The sound of this Millar Pilikua custom jumbo tenor matches everything else - it’s lovely. There’s a warm tapestry of sumptuous richness from the C string which just sits underneath the crisp, well-sustaining trebles, almost like you’re being accompanied while playing. The combination of quality tonewood and larger body give slightly undulating undertones, which you can feel in your chest as you play, while even to the higher reaches of the fingerboard, the trebles sing sweetly and smoothly, almost without effort.

This Millar ukulele is not cheap though, but when you consider it’s part of a tiny run of custom instruments, made by one luthier, with the best materials on the planet… compare that to other instruments out there in the higher echelons of quality and price and it’s very reasonable (and yes, I know ‘reasonable’ is all about context - it’s still a lot of money - but it stands up so well to others out their at a similar price).

I work with Millar every week and they’re so nice to deal with, so enthusiastic. Eric, who made this ukulele, is so happy that the UK is embracing the instruments he makes in his small, family firm. And quite right too, as they’re fantastic. When you hear the sometimes hackneyed saying, ‘the ukulele is a happy little instrument’, it can sometimes give you a mildly cynical reaction. But with this one, you’d forgive it. It’s happy - made by someone with great skill who loves what he does and what he produces. I get these instruments and they make me happy. And it makes me happy when customers get them and they too, have a smile on their face.

OK, OK, I’m gushing and going a bit sentimental. But this Millar Pilikua custom mango jumbo tenor ukulele does that to me.

This ukulele is supplied with a gig bag, for safe shipping. There’s a video demo of this series of Millar ukuleles if you 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.