Single Wood Ukuleles (2024)

A lot of the cool ukuleles seen today seem to be made of one wood for the sound board and another wood for the back and sides.
Moonbirds, Cedarbirds, Olis, Romeros, Ponos even the traditional all Koa companies offer cedar and spruce tops.
There are, of course, still many all one wood ukuleles. All Koa, All Mahogany, All Walnut, All Mango, All Acacia and others. The early instruments were usually of either Koa or Mahogany and seem to evoke in some of us the Traditional Ukulele sound.
I’m wondering how others feel about the difference between all one wood ukuleles vs combinations. Of course, this is a broad question and there are so many differences to consider. I’m just wondering if you feel differently about one vs the other. Not the sound especially, more the general essence of each of them.
Does anyone have any unusual all single wood instruments of uncommon woods that they especially like.
This thinking was prompted by my recent purchase of two Bruko ukuleles, one in all Cherry and one in all Rosewood. I hadn’t heard of either of these woods being used exclusively and I’m also wondering if anyone has ukuleles made of only these woods and how you feel about them….

MAHOGANY

I can’t wait to hear sound samples of your cherry and rosewood ukes.

I think that my Cocobolo ukuleles are all cocobolo. Isn’t Cocobolo in the rosewood family? The designs for Brüko and Cocobolo ukuleles are clearly completely different, but I wonder if your rosewood uke will share any characteristics with Cocobolo ukuleles.

mlolya said:

A lot of the cool ukuleles seen today seem to be made of one wood for the sound board and another wood for the back and sides.
Moonbirds, Cedarbirds, Olis, Romeros, Ponos even the traditional all Koa companies offer cedar and spruce tops.
There are, of course, still many all one wood ukuleles. All Koa, All Mahogany, All Walnut, All Mango, All Acacia and others. The early instruments were usually of either Koa or Mahogany and seem to evoke in some of us the Traditional Ukulele sound.
I’m wondering how others feel about the difference between all one wood ukuleles vs combinations. Of course, this is a broad question and there are so many differences to consider. I’m just wondering if you feel differently about one vs the other. Not the sound especially, more the general essence of each of them.
Does anyone have any unusual all single wood instruments of uncommon woods that they especially like.
This thinking was prompted by my recent purchase of two Bruko ukuleles, one in all Cherry and one in all Rosewood. I hadn’t heard of either of these woods being used exclusively and I’m also wondering if anyone has ukuleles made of only these woods and how you feel about them….

MAHOGANY

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Awe, hi buddy! The smoky scented pleasure and pure tonal joy of the "african" mahogany! Glorious uke!

SkeeterAB said:

I can’t wait to hear sound samples of your cherry and rosewood ukes.

I think that my Cocobolo ukuleles are all cocobolo. Isn’t Cocobolo in the rosewood family? The designs for Brüko and Cocobolo ukuleles are clearly completely different, but I wonder if your rosewood uke will share any characteristics with Cocobolo ukuleles.

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The Cocobolo species is a part of the genuine rosewood genus so it is most definitely a rosewood. It's noticeable denser than most other rosewoods though so I'm not sure how similar it is in tone compared to, e.g., East Indian Rosewood. I have a Cocobolo concert pineapple and baritone and they sound like no other uke I've played, the concert specifically.

My most unusual single wood uke has to be a custom made by a local luthier here in Helsinki. The body is made out of local alder which would give it a very pale look but it's stained for a more orange/brown look. The sound isn't too different to more contemporary woods but still somewhat distinct, I'd say. One of my most played ukes for sure.

Dohle said:

The Cocobolo species is a part of the genuine rosewood genus so it is most definitely a rosewood. It's noticeable denser than most other rosewoods though so I'm not sure how similar it is in tone compared to, e.g., East Indian Rosewood. I have a Cocobolo concert pineapple and baritone and they sound like no other uke I've played, the concert specifically.

My most unusual single wood uke has to be a custom made by a local luthier here in Helsinki. The body is made out of local alder which would give it a very pale look but it's stained for a more orange/brown look. The sound isn't too different to more contemporary woods but still somewhat distinct, I'd say. One of my most played ukes for sure.

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A bit off topic, but that pineapple Cocobolo is gorgeous! I wonder if they still take custom orders?

SkeeterAB said:

A bit off topic, but that pineapple Cocobolo is gorgeous! I wonder if they still take custom orders?

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I agree. I’m partial to the pineapple shape and that oddly gorgeous grain pattern takes things to a whole new level!

I have an all walnut super soprano pineapple by Fred Shields and I had an all sycamore tenor by Mya Moe. But truth be told I am a fan of soft wood tops with hardwood back and sides. You seem to get a more complex sound with greater overtones, it does depend on the builder of course.

A friend has an all maple Kala Elite that has no right to sound like it does, warm, deep, resonant but it does.

SkeeterAB said:

A bit off topic, but that pineapple Cocobolo is gorgeous! I wonder if they still take custom orders?

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You can email Kevin off Cocobolo

keenonuke said:

You can email Kevin off Cocobolo

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Thanks. I will try that in a month or two when I no longer feel guilty for buying so many ukuleles

SkeeterAB said:

A bit off topic, but that pineapple Cocobolo is gorgeous! I wonder if they still take custom orders?

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As keenonuke mentioned, you can try emailing them.

Cocobolo ukes always look amazing with that wavy pattern and gorgeous sapwood. I was extremely lucky to get one of the concert pineapples when they were still doing the lotteries. As far as I know, only two have ever been made, unless there are some that have been commissioned. Even though it's not quite my most played ukes I'll still never sell it. Looking at it and playing it always makes me happy.

I have loved many combos of ‘ukulele wood — hardwood, softwood, soft-on-hard, soft-on-soft, semi-ahem where was I? Ah, yes — I prefer hard tops.

To answer your question, ‘ukulele’s essence can be found in both mono-wood and di-wood construction. I think it’s more down to the luthier’s and player’s connection to the instrument and its history.

On the whole, assuming we’re talking about quality instruments, I more readily connect with single-wood bodies made of koa or mahogany, but this is a relatively recent development in my uke journey. I previously found it easier to assess ukes that paired a softwood top and hardwood back & sides.

mlolya said:

A lot of the cool ukuleles seen today seem to be made of one wood for the sound board and another wood for the back and sides.
Moonbirds, Cedarbirds, Olis, Romeros, Ponos even the traditional all Koa companies offer cedar and spruce tops.
There are, of course, still many all one wood ukuleles. All Koa, All Mahogany, All Walnut, All Mango, All Acacia and others. The early instruments were usually of either Koa or Mahogany and seem to evoke in some of us the Traditional Ukulele sound.
I’m wondering how others feel about the difference between all one wood ukuleles vs combinations. Of course, this is a broad question and there are so many differences to consider. I’m just wondering if you feel differently about one vs the other. Not the sound especially, more the general essence of each of them.
Does anyone have any unusual all single wood instruments of uncommon woods that they especially like.
This thinking was prompted by my recent purchase of two Bruko ukuleles, one in all Cherry and one in all Rosewood. I hadn’t heard of either of these woods being used exclusively and I’m also wondering if anyone has ukuleles made of only these woods and how you feel about them….

MAHOGANY

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It’s a great question. I was told that the back and sides are the sound and the top is projection. So some of the soft wood tops project a bit more and have a more guitar-y feel. I like my two tone UKE’s for 90s music or more contemporary. My full wood for my transition Hawaiian, Christmas, “oldies”. I have a few solids but mostly koa.

Solids: 6, sides/back diff: 4, naupaka - 1

“So how do you know what kind of wood your uke should be made of? It depends to some extent on what kind of sound you prefer.

If you mostly play solo, a warm, well-rounded tone, like that produced by an all-koa uke or one with a mahogany or cedar top, might suit you. Or maybe you play in a group and you need your solo licks to soar above the guitars. Then perhaps a uke with a rosewood body and a spruce top will deliver the bright, punchy sound you’re after.” - Dave Sigman