Instrument Wood Building Reference

Tony Graziano Ukuleles
1016 Seabright Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Shop Phone/Fax (831)479-3590\

Links

• www.grazianoukuleles.com

Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Graziano

Info click here to view more info

His is a page of information on the woods, with descriptions, used by Tony Graziano to build his fine ukuleles.

Common Ukulele Sizes

	Soprano - The traditional "small" Ukulele. is also called a "Standard" . Typical tuning "g C E A".
	Concert - A slightly larger instrument with a longer fret scale. Same tuning as a Soprano. Still gives the familiar Uke sound, but with more volume and easier fretboard access. Typical tuning "g C E A".
	Tenor - Larger still with heavier strings. This is the favorite of many players because of its larger size, bigger sound, and 17 1/2" scale. This size Uke is the one most used for six and eight string models. Can be tuned like a Soprano and Concert "g C E A" or "d G B E"
	Baritone - The largest of the Uke family. Has the loudest sound, the most bass, and is usually tuned DGBE like the thin four strings on a guitar. Typical tuning "D G B E"

(From Tony Graziano Ukuleles web site.
Be sure to visit Tony's site for some of the coolest ukes around.)

More information available on listing's web site.

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Ukulele Top Woods

Tony Graziano Ukuleles

Tony Graziano has been building musical instruments since 1969 and became interested in the Ukulele in 1978 , and then in 1995, after several years of building both guitars and Ukuleles, Tony began building Ukuleles almost exclusively. Tony likes to think of the ukulele as an instrument of the millennium. Its compact, easy to travel with, and brings joy to all who hear and play them. All Tony Graziano Ukes are built by Tony in his Santa Cruz shop using of the finest woods available.

Check out the Tony Graziano Ukuleles web site.

Click on ukulele wood image for larger view.

Koa

A native hardwood of Hawaii. It has a beautiful grain, as well as a bright punchy tone with plenty of warmth. Koa is the "traditional" Uke wood.

Mahogany

Similar to Koa in sound, it is very even in tone, and has excellent midrange response.

Cypress

Cypress is a hardwood traditionally used in flamenco guitars. When combined with a spruce top, it gives a snappy bright sound with good sustain. It is also very light in weight.

Mango

Similar to mahogany though a bit harder. Lots of yellow and grey grain variations. another cool Hawaiian wood.

Rosewood

Great for a enhanced bass tone. Works well in baritones with a spruce top.(as shown here) very good low end.

Bamboo

A non endangered tropical wood. Great bright sound and great unique look. Bamboo literally grows like grass.

Walnut

A very pretty domestic hardwood.

Maple

Bright sound, clearer treble response.

Spruce

An excellent Top wood with a warm full sound. Makes for a louder Uke with more sustain. Shown here on a Uke with Koa sides.

Cedar

Similar to spruce, but with a "darker" sound. Responds quickly with no break-in time required.

Here are a few sites that have great information on tonewoods.

• Dana Bourgeois - link
• Regarding Top Woods by James Goodall - link
• Hawaii Forest Industry Association (HFIA) - link
• Ko'olau Guitar & Ukulele Company - link
• Growing Koa: A Hawaiian Legacy Tree - link
• Martin Guitar - link
• Mayes Guitars - (Start with this site) link
  • Dream Guitars - (a mirror of the information on John Mayes's site) link
• Taylor Guitars - link
• Santa Cruz Guitar Company - link
• Ervin Somogyi - link
• Road Toad Music - link NEW