About Kepasa Ukulele

Reason for Building Ukuleles- I can't think of a good reason not to build ukuleles! I got bitten by the ukulele bug in early 2004. One thing lead to another, and I figured if I could play them, I could build them. Easier said than done, but it's a fascinating process to actually build a musical instrument that others make music on.

A friend of mine said "You create this beautiful thing and then watch it go off into the world - eagerly anticipated by the receiver. You're the ukulele stork!"

Thinking Inside the Box- Ukuleles can be a beautiful site to behold. Sometimes they're even a work of art. But there's even more going on inside the box, the part you usually don't get to see. All stringed instruments need a support structure to keep them together. The support comes from internal bracing, kerfed lining, bridgeplates, thickness of the top and back plates, and any radius that the top and back may employ. It's actually quite simple to build a ukulele strong enough to not fall apart under the stress of string tension. But what makes a huge difference in tone and volume is building a ukulele with enough strength, yet light and thin enough to promote a healthy amount of volume, resonance, sustain and what we perceive of as good sound overall up and down the fingerboard. I refer to this as thinking inside the box.

Building Philosophy- Build light, build loud, build often! Kepasa Ukuleles are designed to have a full and warm tone. I prefer this sound for fingerstyle ukulele and chord/melody style ukulele. If you prefer a different tone, I can adjust the building technique to accomodate your sound goals.

I enjoy studying the art of tap-tuning the top and back. Part of this is done by paying attention to wood thicknesses and strengths for each wood type, and shaping the braces to get the sound that is the most optimal from each particular ukulele. I start with a certain plan for each ukulele and I adjust accordingly along the way by communicating with the ukulele in progress. Sometimes the wood whispers to me...

Building Materials- I use all solid woods for Kepasa Ukuleles. I have built ukuleles made of mahogany, maple, rosewood, zebrawood, pheasantwood and koa. Soundboards are usually sitka spruce, engleman spruce, Adirondack red spruce, western red cedar or mahogany.

I've built a few electric/acoustic ukuleles with an alder body and spruce top, using a UST (Under Saddle Transducer) pickup to amplify through an instrument amplifier, PA, or for recording. I plan to build more electric ukuleles and have some exciting ideas that I'm looking forward to exploring.

Building Output- Kepasa Ukuleles are built in small batches; sometimes two at a time, sometimes as many as five or six. When ordering a ukulele from me, plan on about a three-month waiting time. Sometimes things move along a little quicker, and we all love it when that happens!

Building Experience and Influence- Prior to building ukuleles, I performed fretted instrument repairs for over 30 years. I was already well-practiced in set-up, fretting, gluing, clamping, slotting, etc. I am not a guitar builder who also builds ukes; I only build ukuleles! My influences include several well-known and not-so-well-known builders, a few hundred pounds of books, videos, building plans and photographs, and every player I've ever spoken with about what they like and don't like about their favorite ukuleles.

Kepasa Feedback- I'm always happy to hear from another new Kepasa Ukulele owner. Making a musical instrument that other players will make music with is a very satisfying experience.

Here's what some players have said:

"It is a beautiful instrument and sounds just perfect! I am so totally amazed by your ukulele-making skills."

"The build quality is perfect. Inside and out, it's a carefully and meticulously-crafted work of art. The wood is drop-dead gorgeous."

"Up till 3 AM playing. Am head over heels in love."

"It is truly a gem! I am 100% delighted with it. Great tone, intonation, wood, finish, craftsmanship... really a gorgeous instrument."

"You have out done yourself. The uke just arrived. It is absolutely ncredible."

"I love it to death. It is one heck of a uke man. VERY well made!! Highly attentive to detail."

"I have tried it on open strummed chords, closed jazz comping and picking...and it holds together. This is the mark of a good performance instrument, what I was hoping for."

"Perfect action, lovely voice, wonderful feeling in my hands (even marvelous smelling)... she is going to make me a better player!!!"

Kevin Crossett/Kepasa Ukulele is a member of:
- Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (ASIA)
- New England Luthiers Group