Oct 08, 2022
Transforming Koa Wood into Kanileʻa Ukuleles
Here's a great article about Selecting Wood for Building a Ukulele by Master Luthier Joe Sousa
So how does a flat piece of wood become an ʻukulele?
Join Master Luthier Joe Souza as he shares what he's looking for when identifying the pieces that will become your playable masterpiece. And what about all the extra pieces of wood? Find out about that in today's video about our layout process.
Summary:
Joe Souza from Kanileʻa Ukulele shares insights into their milling process, demonstrating how raw, rough Koa wood is transformed into stunning ukulele components. The process begins with selecting and laying out gnarly wood pieces to highlight their natural beauty, such as curl, color, and grain symmetry. Using templates, these pieces are refined into sets for the ukulele's front, back, and sides. Even remnants are repurposed for armrests, bindings, or crafts, ensuring no material is wasted. Edge gluing and book matching bring out the symmetrical grain patterns, showcasing the wood's elegance. The video emphasizes the craftsmanship and love for woodworking that turns raw Koa into exquisite instruments.
Meta Title:
Meta Description: 
Reprinted with Permission https://www.kanileaukulele.com/
