Pete Howlett/John Story All Solid Hawaiian Koa Soprano Ukulele w/gigbag

Nestled in the Eryri National Park, in the shadow of the bygone slate industry, sits a small workshop. Where old wisdom is passed down to slightly younger hands, fine timbers and a little Welsh magic come together to capture happiness in four strings.

John Story has the distinction of being Pete Howletts last apprentice. It's a tall order joining the register of great builders working with and under the guidance of Pete Howlett; Tom Ziegenspeck and Dan Lipson both produce elite, truly world class Ukuleles and John's story (whilst in its earlier stages) is no different.

Building with Pete Howlett primarily the traditional Ditson style Soprano Ukuleles that got Pete wrapped up in the wonderful world of Ukulele in the first place 35 years ago - This Hawaiian Koa Soprano could be the pristine jewel in a vintage collection. It has all the character and authenticity in its design of a vintage Martin koa Soprano. The Ditson shape adds to this feeling that you have seen this before another time, another place. It's a sweet sounding beautiful homage to the Soprano Ukuleles that got the instrument where it is today. At the same time, the wider nut width and string spacing is much more like the high end Tenor Ukuleles that many players favour today so this Ukulele has hidden depths and design choices that make it a fantastic choice for the modern players too.

Nestled in the Eryri National Park, in the shadow of the bygone slate industry, sits a small workshop. Where old wisdom is passed down to slightly younger hands, fine timbers and a little Welsh magic come together to capture happiness in four strings. John Story has the distinction of being Pete Howletts last apprentice. It's a tall order joining the register of great builders working with and under the guidance of Pete Howlett; Tom Ziegenspeck and Dan Lipson both produce elite, truly world class Ukuleles and John's story (whilst in its earlier stages) is no different. Building with Pete Howlett primarily the traditional Ditson style Soprano Ukuleles that got Pete wrapped up in the wonderful world of Ukulele in the first place 35 years ago - This Hawaiian Koa Soprano could be the pristine jewel in a vintage collection. It has all the character and authenticity in its design of a vintage Martin koa Soprano. The Ditson shape adds to this feeling that you have seen this before another time, another place. It's a sweet sounding beautiful homage to the Soprano Ukuleles that got the instrument where it is today. At the same time, the wider nut width and string spacing is much more like the high end Tenor Ukuleles that many players favour today so this Ukulele has hidden depths and design choices that make it a fantastic choice for the modern players too. Why a Ditson? Whats a Ditson? - I am so glad you asked. Oliver Ditson was the owner of a successful musical publishing house and instrument retailer in the North East USA in the 1910's & 1920's. Whilst being as far removed as you could really get from the music being produced from Hawaii, the company recognised the boom happening with the ukulele and the New York store manager Harry L Hunt specified that Martin make a Soprano with a wider waist under the Ditson name. These Sopranos have gone on to be incredibly collectable and as sought after as early Martins of the time. The Ditson company introduced the Dreadnought guitar shape at the same time which is a scaled up version and for most of the last century it has been the most popular size in modern music. It was one of those moments when the right store worked with the right builder to produce something special... kind of like our relationship with Pete Howlett and now his apprentices John Story & Dan Lipson! Solid Hawaiian Koa Top, Back and Sides Inner Side lamination: Mahogany Neck: Mahogany Head plate: Koa with “Howlett : Story” icon Mother of Pearl inlay Fingerboard: Granadillo with Mother of Pearl inlay, ABS side dots. Bridge: Hawaiian Koa Nut and Saddle: Corian 38mm nut width w/30mm string spacing Internals: Mahogany, Spruce and plywood. Strings: Worth Brown Tuners: Der Jung friction tuners Gigbag: TGI Gigbag included

Why a Ditson? Whats a Ditson? - I am so glad you asked. Oliver Ditson was the owner of a successful musical publishing house and instrument retailer in the North East USA in the 1910's & 1920's. Whilst being as far removed as you could really get from the music being produced from Hawaii, the company recognised the boom happening with the ukulele and the New York store manager Harry L Hunt specified that Martin make a Soprano with a wider waist under the Ditson name. These Sopranos have gone on to be incredibly collectable and as sought after as early Martins of the time. The Ditson company introduced the Dreadnought guitar shape at the same time which is a scaled up version and for most of the last century it has been the most popular size in modern music. It was one of those moments when the right store worked with the right builder to produce something special... kind of like our relationship with Pete Howlett and now his apprentices John Story & Dan Lipson! 

Solid Hawaiian Koa Top, Back and Sides
Inner Side lamination: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Head plate: Koa with “Howlett : Story” icon Mother of Pearl inlay
Fingerboard: Granadillo with Mother of Pearl inlay, ABS side dots.
Bridge: Hawaiian Koa
Nut and Saddle: Corian 38mm nut width w/30mm string spacing
Internals: Mahogany, Spruce and plywood.
Strings: Worth Brown
Tuners: Der Jung friction tuners
Gigbag: TGI Gigbag included