Captain Ukuleles

Bevan is the owner of Captain Ukuleles, he has been playing the ukulele (under sufferance) since joining the Big Muffin Serious Band as a fresh-faced (poxy) teenager late last century. Eventually, his hands turned to the construction of ukuleles, with an emphasis on exploring the (largely unexplored) native woods and their uses in instrument making.

Bevan is also a music teacher and has a recording studio in the small rural settlement of Te Pahu, Waikato.

The Wood:

New Zealand has many endemic species that are perfect for instrument making. Some of the timbers make great tonewoods, like Mangeao, Kohekohe, Matai and Kauri. Others are ideal for fretboards and bridges, especially Puriri and Pohutukawa. Tawa is ideal for necks due to its stability and medium density. Rewarewa makes a lovely back, with book matching showing off the remarkable grain and medullary rays. On each Captain ukulele, there will be up to eight different kinds of wood, making it both a musical instrument and a piece of interesting art, with links to our botanical history.