“My Blue Heaven” Uke

“My Blue Heaven” Uke

American Standards
Earnest Instruments, in collaboration with several artists, is pleased to introduce the “American Standards” series, a limited edition of one-of-a-kind painted ukuleles commemorating the golden age of American popular music. The paintings attempt to illustrate both the lyrics of the songs as well as the spirit of the times in which they were popular. Customers can request special songs for the series, or choose from a list of suggested titles. No two ukes will be alike and prices will vary depending on the size and style of uke, and the requirements of the painting.

Number one in the series commemorates the song “My Blue Heaven”, written by Walter Donaldson and George Whiting, which became the first million selling vocal hit with the 1927 recording by Gene Austen . The “My Blue Heaven” uke was painted by Greg Dearth, illustrator, painter, and an accomplished jazz musician, from Franklin, Ohio. (Scroll down for close-ups)

Ceegar Box

There’s at least one benefit to the recent resurgence in the popularity of cigars. Recycling these elegant containers allows them to fulfill their highest destiny . . . as ukuleles. The CEEGAR BOX utilizes the genuine article, adding a Spanish cedar neck, mesquite fingerboard, and a braced, hardwood top to create a ukulele with surprising tone, playability, and class. If Bo Diddley played the uke, this would be it.

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(comes with a canvas case)

The Hootchulele

Researchers at Earnest laboratories have come up with a new product designed to satisfy aficionados of two of America’s favorite pastimes . . . playing the ukulele and indulging in spirit refreshments. The Hootchulele is a fully functional cigar box ukulele, concealing a custom fit (removable) mahogany “home entertainment center” with two shot glasses and a bottle of 100% pure “ukulele libation fluid”. The Hootchulele is perfect for those looking to discreetly smuggle their pleasures in and out of home, office, or speakeasy. Whether one is just a tippler or looking to get “sloshed in the ozone again”, the Hootchulele is like a party in a box . . . just add music!

Mahogany Leroy

LeRoy

Mahogany Leroy Tenor with Custom Fingerboard Inlay

This concert sized ukulele is inspired by the cool ukes of the 1920s and named for the great uke master, Roy Smeck, “Wizard of the Strings.” LeROY is modeled after the Martin Style 1C, and is a flashy uke with “Mother Of Toilet Seat” headstock and binding, rosewood fingerboard, Grover tuners, and classic koa or mahogany body. The longer scale length and larger body gives the uke a loud, bright tone with more finger room for tight chords. The thirteenth fret allows for that all-important high C (or Bb), and an optional clear plastic pickguard protects the finish above the soundhole without impairing the tone. Also available in standard soprano and tenor sizes.

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Walnut, Koa and Ash Mainlanders

A fine sounding ukulele made from domestic tonewoods. The MAINLANDER fills the need for a basic, decent instrument, without frills. It’s available in standard, concert, or tenor size in a variety of mainland hardwoods, including Maple, Sassafrass, Pear, or Walnut, with a mesquite or pearloid fingerboard and Grover Sta-tite tuners.

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Sassafrass Mainlander

Concert model with Tortoise binding

A traditional Martin-style ukulele featuring a koa or mahogany body, extended mesquite fingerboard, ivoroid binding and position dots, red/white/black purfling and rosette, and Grover Sta-tite tuners, the Palomino has an elegant appearance and a rich, mellow tone. The Palomino is built light, like the old ukes, for maximum response and volume. Available in standard, concert, tenor, or 8-string taropatch models.

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Sunburst top

Gold top

Lester Polfuss has certainly left his mark on American Popular Music and, not to mention, a certain electric guitar (the shape of which happens to be exactly the same as a very rare single cutaway ukulele, made on the Self Service Islands off the coast of Amnesia, and found on eBay back in 1951!). The LA PAULA concert uke features a one-piece mahogany back and sides, and a choice of Spruce, maple, or mahogany top that can be finished in red, sunburst, gold, or clear lacquer, or a custom color of your choice. The neck is set with a glued mortise and tenon joint, and the top and fretboard are bound in cream color binding. The uke is toneful, mellow, and loud and comes standard with a passive Schatten soundboard transducer that can be plugged directly into an amp or PA. All similarities aside, LA PAULA is a unique and shapely uke that sounds as good as she looks.

Mahogany Top

Red Top

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Stradelele Concert Uke with Curly Mahogany and Tru-Oil finish

Stradelele Concert Uke with Curly Maple and Antiqued Violin Varnish

The Stradelele Concert Uke
Antonio Stradivari is well known as a prodigious and celebrated maker of violins and cellos. He also made a few guitars and some mandolins, but its pretty safe to assume that he never made any ukuleles. One of his guitars, made in 1700, was recently on exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Its long-waisted shape, and understated ornamentation inspired this concert size ukulele. The headstock mirrors the body shape in a style that is typical in Portuguese and Hawaiian instruments, but also not uncommon in Italian guitars of the period. The uke is available in curly mahogany, koa, or maple, with rosewood or ebony binding and a rope style rosette. A spruce top is an option. Traditional violin tuners are standard. Pegheds™ machine tuners are also available. The instrument can be finished in tru-oil, lacquer, or antiqued violin varnish. The Stradelele is currently played by classical ukulele master, John King.

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“Hall of Fame” Uke
The “HALL OF FAME” UKE was designed in collaboration with Paul Syphers, director of the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum. The body is distinctly Hawaiian in shape, and the headstock is inspired by several historic ukes in the Museum’s collection. The “modern” 13 5/8″ scale length and lightweight mahogany body create surprising volume and a warm, bright tone. The Museum logo appears on the headstock and the soundhole is highlighted with a red veneer binding. With a rosewood fingerboard, ebony nut and saddle, and Grover tuners, the “HALL OF FAME” UKE is available unbound (Style O) or with traditional “tortoise shell” binding and black/white purfling (Style 1). Also available in koa.
A portion of the sale price goes to support the work of the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum.
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The ukulele has had a long and close association with the canoe, both in summer and song. The PADDLELELE combines the best attributes of a canoe paddle and a ukulele in a single implement. Made from ash, the traditional timber for paddles, the neck and body are cut from a single piece of wood, with a quartersawn top and back glued to the rim. A thin green veneer is glued around the sound hole, and under the fret board and headstock, with a matching green canoe-shaped bridge. The PADDLELELE is loud enough to be heard over a waterfall, with a tone as bright and clear as the full moon. Don’t be caught up the creek without one! Note: the PADDLELELE should only be used as a paddle in cases of extreme necessity, or photo opportunities.

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