Dan Lipson - Alpine Spruce & English Walnut 'Diamond' Tenor Ukulele w/Hard Case

Dan Lipson has been building guitars for 10 years, many with highly elaborate inlay work. After several years working as Pete Howlett's apprentice in ukulele building, Dan has begun building ukuleles. Dan led Pete's 2021 Revelator Pop Up factory where he built his final UK Revelators in the UK with a handful of skilled workers taking on different roles. So, you can be sure this diamond tenor ukulele is a truly special instrument.

Dan recently explained to me that he has no problem putting in the hours to perfect a body but had thrived under the learning tree of Pete Howlett and his more traditional knack for traditional building craft like neck carving. Dan has helped Pete with a number of builds since 2021 and Pete recently told me that he felt it was an appropriate time to wind down while he has the choice because the 30 years of skills and knowledge he had, had now been passed successfully to Dan.

The first time I held this California style tenor ukulele, I was faced with the task of having to explain to both Dan and Pete what I liked about it and what my first impressions were. To me, as somebody who has had the pleasure of playing at least 60 Howlett ukuleles in my career; this uke had the DNA of a Pete Howlett. It is absolutely fantastic. A gem, with the wisdom of Pete Howletts 40 year experience and Dan's own 10 year career in guitar luthiery.

Pete coined the term California style tenor ukulele after he adapted his building in the early 2000's towards modern ukulele players. A ukulele with square shoulders and a tighter bottom to the body that paired perfectly with a soft wood top to produce loud, articulate fingerstyle instruments.

The European wood combination of Alpine spruce and English walnut with an alder neck and European wood trims is an ironic choice for something that labels its origins as Californian. The truth is, this uke is the product of a lot of shared knowledge and international love for the ukulele.