Summit Ukuleles are hand crafted in San Bartolome, Ecuador. This small village has been hand crafting instruments for more than 200 years! Wouldn't you like to own a piece of that history?
This is an absolutely stunning work of art that uses almost all local woods (see below) and is built in a small shop with mostly hand tools and generations of skill. It sounds incredible and leaps to life with the slightest strum! A truly world-class instrument made by hand with rare and beautiful materials. Each ukulele contains 9 different species of exotic wood, each specifically selected because it's the best available wood for its purpose. There are so many unique woods available in and around Ecuador that it's a true luthier's paradise! Our artisans have learned over centuries which woods are best for each specific job on a stringed instrument and that knowhow is evident in every instrument they build. Here are the specifications for this instrument....
Top: Solid Canadian Spruce Selected for its superior tone and volume, it doesn't get better than this
Back and Sides: Solid Cherry -Ecuador
Fingerboard: Chonta - a South American palm that is harder than ebony or rosewood
Neck: Amazon Cedar - Ecuador, our artisans describe the cedar neck as the "soul" of the ukulele. Reinforced with a strip of Chonta for extra stability.
Binding: Walnut - Ecuador
Purfling: Handmade wood inlays, made with individual strips of colored wood from the rainforest
Soundhole Rosette: Hand inlaid in individual pieces, colored wood and faux pearl
Bridge: Chachacoma - a super hard, high-altitude wood from Ecuador
Headstock: Koa overlay (a tip of the hat to the Hawaiian heritage of the uke) with real pearl "Summit" logo inlay
Internal bracing: Andean Alder and Willow - Ecuador, optimized for size and placement to get the most out of each piece of wood
These instruments were built by Master Luthier Jose Uyaguari and his son Santiago at their workshop in the mountains of Ecuador. This is the first time they have ever been offered for sale outside of Ecuador! The soundhole rosette on each instrument is unique, like a fingerprint. Buy this for the musician in your life and they will cherish if forever! The ukulele is a very easy instrument to learn which is why it is so wildly popular.
Each ukulele comes in a handmade padded gig bag made from traditional Ecuadorian fabric and crafted by local artisans near Cuenca, Ecuador. These bags cost a little more but doesn't a handmade instrument deserve a handmade case? Each gig bag has two carry handles, a shoulder strap, and a sturdy zipper.
Note: Because these instruments are hand-crafted, there will be slight difference between them so be sure to check all available listings and grab the one that grabs you! The instrument you buy is the exact instrument you will receive. Our artisans have a high respect for the local forests and endeavor to use all available woods for their instrument, even if they aren't cosmetically perfect. This helps sustain the forests and minimizes waste. These minor "imperfections" give the instrument great character and add to the charm of a hand-crafted piece. The YouTube video shows one of our ukes in action!
Model: TPCC #36
Artisans: Jose Uyaguari and Santiago Uyaguari
