Catherine Friend
Catherine Friend

Music Under Construction

The day before my April 20 knee surgery, I was scared. I knew what I was in for and it wasn’t going to be pleasant. I was desperate for a distraction, so I pulled out my credit card and starting buying stuff online that I’d had my eye on for awhile, including a custom-made ukulele. (I’ve since come to regret a few of my ‘retail therapy’ purchases, but not the ukulele.)

NFC Ukuleles is a one-man operation in Nicaragua. (FYI: People who make stringed instruments like ukuleles and guitars are called luthiers.) I’d seen a great review of one of his instruments made out of cocobolo, and loved how it looked and sounded, so I took the plunge and ordered one, knowing it would take several months to arrive.

They say you should always buy a ukulele that is more than you need, that is better than your playing skills warrant. This way you have room to grow. My NFC ukulele will be much better than my skills require, so I’m going to do my best to improve.

Did I pay more than I would have buying a factory-made ukulele from Amazon? Oh, yeah. But I’m supporting a skilled luthier in Nicaragua, which feels much better than putting money into Jeff Bezos’ pocket. (Sermon coming: Bezos is currently worth $200 billion. Seriously, people, isn’t that enough for one man? We need to start supporting small businesses. Sermon over.)

Nestor, the luthier, has been kind enough to share photos of his progress. He started with four thin slabs of cocobolo, two for the front, two for the back.

Here are the slabs that form the back:

NFC Ukuleles

Here’s the front, cut and glued:

NFC Ukuleles

Here are the sides being glued onto the back, providing a glimpse of a ukulele’s interior:

NFC Ukuleles

Here’s the same shot with the clamps removed:

NFC Ukuleles

Here’s the front. (Nestor creates beautiful rosettes, the design encircling the sound hole.):

NFC Ukuleles

Time to add the neck:

NFC Ukuleles

Most ukuleles have a quiet satin finish but I like me some glossy, so that’s what I ordered:

The glossy side (note the side sound hole, a nice feature that lets me hear my mistakes more clearly!):

NFC Ukuleles

The glossy back:

NFC Ukuleles

The glossy (and stunning ) front (bridge, tuning pegs, and strings to be added next):

NFC Ukuleles

My new ukulele should be in my hands in a few weeks. Can’t wait!

6 Responses

  1. Beautiful instrument! Hope you do a video strumming it so we can hear the sound. Great purchase you won’t
    Regret!

  2. I don’t have a sliver of a musical bone in my body, but even I can appreciate what a lovely instrument that is going to be. A thing of beauty. For a beautiful person. And I’m serious. (You can send my check to the same old address.) ;o)

  3. Wait – this is the last post for over six months. Do you have the ukulele? It’s gorgeous in the photos but not finished. Can you post photos?

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The Big Pivot

About Me

After twenty-five years on the farm, I’m adjusting to the adventures of city life. Part of that adjustment is figuring out what I want to write about now, since sheep are no longer part of my daily life. I’m challenging myself creatively by painting with pastels and playing the ukelele as I seek my new writing path.

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Catherine Friend is a fiscal year 2021 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.