Lipson English Redwood & Walnut 'Diamond' Baritone Ukulele #007

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. This Californian Style Baritone is the first of its kind having been made at the same time as its H&L sibling in Feb 2026. I have to say, it is up there in the top 5% of Baritones anyone has ever sent to us here at SUS.

See and hear it here;

Learn about the Dan Lipson/Pete Howlett collaboration here;

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. Dan's own California Baritone shape is unique but mirrors and expands upon the design Pete perfected throughout his 40 year career.

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 English Wood combination of English Grown Giant Redwood for the top 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.

English Redwood is almost never seen by the way. This is my first instrument at SUS made of it in 18 years.