CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

                            Note:  All ukuleles, Free shipping to contiguous 48 states.

CAT'S EYE Ukulele, Soprano, $282

The Cat's Eye Ukulele is my original design, and one of the first types of uke I ever built, with a body shaped like a cat's eye and the head stock like a cat's head. This is one my my favorite types to build because it's kind of on the wacky/whimsical side but at the same time time elegantly simple in form.

The top and back of this one are made of an unusually figured Ambrosia Maple.

I feel I need to say about some of my "novelty" ukuleles, this uke is not meant to be just a curiosity or a cute ornament for a veterinary eye doctor to display in her office. A child might like this little uke for sure, but it is not a toy instrument. It is a real ukulele suitable to any kind of music you like, very playable and and with a crisp bright sound.

Dimensions: 21" x 7" x 2 1/2"

MICHI-LELE, Soprano, $311 

Perhaps surprisingly to some, it turns out Michigan's Lower Peninsula is a good shape for a uke as far as sound qualities. In fact, as a builder of alt ukes, I have found that just about ANY shape ukulele (if it has a large enough body) is a viable shape for a good-sounding uke.

So this uke is not just a toy or a conversation piece--or something for proud Michiganders to display on the mantelpiece---it is a real instrument that can be used every day for any kind of music people play on the ukulele.

This Michi-lele is priced at 10% off the list price.

Dimensions: Approx. 21" x 8" x 2"

Here's a link to a dedicated uke player  who received a Michi-lele as a gift some years ago. I guess he likes his Michi-lele, because he has used it for several songs on his YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFqIG8RgZFM

RAINDROP, Concert, $481

This is the second ukulele in my limited series "Up in the Air." For the series, each ukulele will be a unique work that will not be repeated, and the number of ukes will be limited to ten. Some will be custom-built, as I get requests, and some I will just build and offer as they are completed. For more info, email raberdavid@yahoo.com.

The Raindrop has a good sized body, with strong volume and a pleasing tone.

This body shape is a well known uke type called by the name "teardrop" or "boat paddle."

CURVALICIOUS, Tenor, $393

As a maker I am into "extravagant" shapes for the ukulele, and that applies to this instrument especially because it defies one major law for stringed instruments: It is asymmetrical (free form).

Frank Lloyd Wright said that architecture is a "plastic" art, meaning that the overall form and details of buildings may be largely shaped by the creative choices of the architect. This idea is valid for architecture, and I have found it to be translatable to the luthier's art as well--both in terms of visual aesthetics and musical qualities.

This uke has a top of rich Cherry wood, which I have found to be an excellent tone wood,with good volume and a sweet tone. It is currently tuned gcea (low g).

Dimensions: Approx. 26"x 8 3/4" x 2 5/8"

MICHI-LELE, Concert. $398

For those not familiar with my work, let me just say, this uke may fall into the category of a "novelty" instrument, but it is by no means meant to be just a toy or a conversation piece--or something for proud Michiganders to display on the mantelpiece---it is a real instrument that can be used every day for any kind of music people play on the ukulele. It is well-built and sounds great!

This concert-sized Michi-lele with a dramatic Spalted Maple top and back would be a great gift for any proud Michigan resident who loves to play the ukulele, or as a very special musical gift for a kid--, or perhaps for a player with a few ukes already, and looking to add a very unique item to a personal collection.

Dimensions: Approx. 2"x 8 " x 2 "

TROUBADOUR, Tenor, $458

This uke in the basic form of a lute is aimed a the Renaissance Fair audience as an instrument worthy taking to the fair as a part of the cosplay outift--and providing not only the look but the music, since this instrument of four strings, tuned and sized like a tenor ukulele, is suitable for any type of music, including genuine Renaissance or Medieval ballads.  "Greensleeves," for one, sounds great strummed on this uke, and I can provide a fine chord arrangement along with it, on request.

This uke with its fulsome, shapely body puts out a robust, sweet noise indeed--a great accompaniment for folk and jazz songs as well, and suited to both the casual and expert player.

The top is made of Birdseye Maple, the back of stripy Western Red Cedar for the look of a lute back.

Dimensions:  Approx 26" x 9" x 2 1/2"

YOOPERLELE, Concert, $373

The Michi-lele is the most popular type of uke I build--with a body shaped like the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the "Mitten," and a head stock shaped like the Upper Peninsula, the "UP."  Recently I started building the Yooperlele, with the peninsulas reversed--the correct arrangement, no doubt, according to folks who see the remote, wilder UP as the more important part of the state (and this is not only people born and bred Yoopers, I'm sure.)

Dimensions:  Approx 25" x 8" x 2"

--Yooper resident or native Yooper in exile--Your Total Price: $350--

.

Ukulele Memories, and Looking Ahead

 Here's a pic of ukes I was offering for sale almost a decade ago, not long after I first started building ukes.  The cigar-box types I have not built in a while.  The Cat's Eye type is still one of my personal favorites.

The "Texalele" pictured there is the first one of that type that I built.  Still building those on order, having buiult and sold about half a dozen over time--all shipped to Texas but one, as I recall.

As a self-taught builder, I have been focused on the physical form and creative designs of my ukes--all of them alternative ukes that do not look like miniature guitars.  I consider this an artistic endeavor thru and thru, in the long tradition of alt uke types in the history of the ukulele.  While paying attention to aesthetics beyond the usual decorative features of standard guitar-shaped ukes, I have constantly given heed to improving the structural and sound qualities of my ukes--because if a musical instrument is little more than a showpiece or conversation piece, what's the point?

As of March 2026, I have built 116 ukuleles and have sold most of them, sold a few thru auctions to raise funds for non-profit groups,  and given away a few to family and friends and a couple of professional musicians.

From now on, I will be using this blog for a recurring feature, a CURRENTLY AVAILABLE post showing the instruments I have for sale at a given time.  To buy one, or for more info, email me at deukuleles@gmail.com (or raberdavid@yahoo.com), or go to my FB ukulele page, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100027943045229