Erik Hokanson's "Tune A Fish" Baritone Ukelele (Pictures)

[Erik Hokanson]

This little baritone-ish uke is one chunk of walnut carved to about 1/8" with a red cedar shingle top. I dont remember exactly but the scale length is about 18'. The tuning pegs I carved a few years ago and modified them for this, they work exactly as they should.
It has a bright, loud clear sound, not much sustain, but why would it? The top is about 3mm with one brace somewhere near the bridge, I wish I took a pic of that, the top is domed, or in this case barrelled about 3/8" over its 6" width.

[Steve Senseney]

I like it!!

DId you string it with fishing line?

[Erik Hokanson]

Martin Bari Uke Strings. I considered fish line, but then I need to go get EVERY test line and figure out which one's work best. I dont even fish, I'd have to find some art gallery down in the city to take it to hang art objects and they'd screw it up and then they'd blame me for giving them bad monofilament.

[Clay Schaeffer]

Erik,
Did you build it like that just for the halibut? (we all know the fish jokes are coming - where is Stephen Faulk when you need him?)

[Erik Hokanson]

Yeah, scalloped bracing! Bringit! Like the Pacific Garbage Patch.

[Patrick Hanna]

What a concept! I like it, too. With the tuna shape headed toward the tail block, it'll confound the audience! They'll think the darned thing is trying to swim under your elbow. How cool is that?!

[Jon Whitney]

If you were fishing for complements, you've hooked me! Even my wife thought it is cute. But what I really like are the handcarved tuning pegs. I wish I could do half as well.

[Neal Carey]

Erik, very cool uke! And fun!

[Mark Day]

Erik Hokanson wrote:

I'd have to find some art gallery down in the city to take it to hang art objects and they'd screw it up and then they'd blame me for giving them bad monofilament.

Funny. I have been using old guitar strings (steel) to hang pictures for years. They work much better than the wire sold for the purpose and they make a cool sound when you adjust the picture!

Very cool looking uke! I like the "flying V" headstock

[Erik Hokanson]

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/se ... /180015525
This is the instrument I saw one really hung over day on a trip to NY back in 2000, and I've been trying to re create it since. it was beautifull in real life, it looks alive. It's not hanging now. But I'm sure they still have it. I looked at it for about ten minutes, and its part of why i'm making instruments.
I was very happy to find it in their online archive. there are many other pics of beautiful things there. If you get to the Met, go to the armor section, very close to the instrument section. Unbelievable craftsmanship.
This is why we have museums of this caliber in the world.