Sometimes a uke comes along, that just grabs you. This is one of those...Firstly because of the stunning looks. Secondly, because of its unique tone.

The cedar top with outer black and white and mahogany binding and a rope soundhole rosette are striking; unlike any other uke out there in the market place. The curly, highly figurative grain of the willow on the back and sides are eyecatching. The back is also lined with the same binding as the top.

The neck is solid mahogany with a rosewood fretboard and headstock cap. The bridge is rosewood. The nut and saddle are bone, which is great for tone.

The Gotoh friction tuners keep this uke perfectly in tune. These are quality tuners that work very well.

Also, the gloss finish is very thin, and therefore does not affect the tone in any way. All it does is highlight the natural look of the woods used.

When you pick this uke up, the first thing you notice is how light it is. This is generally a good sign - as a rule of thumb, the heavier an acoustic instrument, the less tone and projection. A light construction allows for maximum vibration of the top and back and sides which is what creates the tone. This uke is projects well and had great bass response (the C-string is more present than on many other ukes). The cedar top ensures a well-balanced tone with nice mellow tones but enough brightness - the separation of notes is excellent, which should be especially appealing to finger pickers and those who like to play melody and solos.

The uke is strung with Aquila strings, which are considered the best uke strings in the world by most players. They have a nice tension, feel and add clarity and brightness to the overall tone of your uke. The action is nice and fretboard fast. This is a player's uke by all standards.