Layton.

Making — 2022

Callitris Ukulele

Built to show off one board: curly Callitris of extraordinary figure, paired with a Huon Pine soundboard and Victorian blackwood.

Callitris ukulele, front view, pale Huon Pine soundboard on a dark backdrop
Huon Pine face
Year
2022
Type
Ukulele
Back & sides
Curly Callitris
Soundboard
Tasmanian Huon Pine
Neck
Victorian blackwood
Finish
Pre-catalysed nitrocellulose

There was no plan to build a ukulele until this timber crossed the bench. The curly Callitris, a native cypress, here with figure rarely seen in the species, came from Greg at Carving and Turning Timber Sales, and the instrument was designed around showing it off: back, sides and headstock veneer in Callitris, a Tasmanian Huon Pine soundboard, and Victorian blackwood for the neck, fretboard and bridge, with a Huon Pine and Wenge tail graft.

Strung with Aquila Nylgut over a bone nut and saddle, tuned on Gotoh UK700 1:15 machine heads, and finished in pre-catalysed nitrocellulose.

Highly figured curly Callitris back of the ukulele
The Callitris back
The tail of the ukulele with a Huon Pine and Wenge tail graft
Tail graft — Huon Pine and Wenge
The neck heel and shoulder of the ukulele showing wrapping Callitris figure
Neck heel — the figure wraps the sides
The Callitris ukulele standing in front of a Victorian fireplace
At home