-
AegithalosAegithalosInstruments
Tenor T2 Tenor Ukulele
Tenor RS12 Pinegrow Tenor Ukulele
Aegithalos ukulele's
My background as a musician and woodworker has always been the constant throughout my life. As a guitarist I studied classical guitar, as well as flamenco and later I also started playing in rock and blues bands.
All my life I've tinkered with guitars to make them better.
In addition, I have been an art realizer and property artist for international artists for many years and there I learned a lot about woodworking, metalworking and electronics. A school that is very broad and for which you need to have the necessary creativity.
Why Ukuleles?
From an early age I already had a ukulele and didn't look at it for years, until I came up with the idea to restore this instrument. That was the moment where I saw that a ukulele should be built much better. The ukulele was relegated to a toy instrument and was mainly built that way. Cheap constructions and finishing.
Because this instrument with so much rich history deserves a better place, I have studied the constructions of the better ukuleles. But also looked at the constructions and wood choices of classical and flamenco guitars and applied them to the construction of ukuleles.
Aegithalos ukuleles are built with a classic Spanish heel joint, in the same way that the better Spanish and Flamenco guitars are built. This is extremely rare for a ukulele due to the difficulty of this construction. The added value of this is clearly audible in terms of resonance, sustain and sound.
All decorations are handcrafted with wood, as well as the rosette
The ukuleles are finished with oil, which provides a lot of sound advantage compared to lacquer. This is clearly audible because the top of the ukulele can resonate better, which ultimately determines the sound. Due to the classic construction and oil finish, the Aegithalos ukuleles are each unique. Aegithalos instruments are handcrafted with hand tools.
A custom ukulele can be made in consultation. I am happy to advise you in terms of wood types and what that will do to the sound of the instrument. We look for the best result based on your wishes. If desired, you will also be included in the construction process.
Jos van Tilburg
Detail photos
These are some detail pictures of a ukulele
Detail foto's
6 foto's
Construction photos
These are some pictures of the construction of a ukulele
Everybody should have and play a uke. It's so simple to carry with you and it is one instrument you can't play and not laugh! It's so sweet and also very old.
Most of my ukulele heroes were traditional players from Hawaii, like Eddie Kamae and Ohta-san. There may not be uke stars in popular culture, but there are certainly pop stars that play uke - George Harrison, Eddie Vedder, Taylor Swift, Train, and Paul McCartney.
Hooray for taking up the ukulele! It will never let you down. People of all ages make great music with it.
There's no ego when you're a ukulele player.
Sometimes when you're writing on a ukulele, you're in a totally new land, rhythmically or melodically.
I grew up in a musical family; the majority of my growing up was done in Hawaii. It's what we do. You sing, you dance, you play ukulele and you drink.
The wondrous journey of the ukulele.
The origin of the instrument starts in Portugal and has many cousins with different names: Machete, Viola pequeña (small guitar), Cavaquinho, Machinho, etc. In Madeira they have the Minho Machinho. All small 'guitars' with 4 strings. Immigrants from Madeira reached Honolulu in 1879. The people of Hawaii were amazed at the virtuosity of some players on that little instrument and found the speed of the fingers on the cavaquinho's neck to resemble a jumping flea, translated into uku le le. There were 3 furniture makers on board and they started making ukuleles.
This is the start of a very rapid development of the construction and looks of the instrument. Types of wood were adjusted, neck joints, strings and, for example, different tunings. And to date, many new developments are still being made in that field in terms of the construction and appearance of the instrument.
Restoration & Customizing
In addition to building handcrafted instruments, I also provide restorations and customizing for various instruments such as ukuleles, various acoustic instruments and electric guitars.
At this point it is too much to place here but this website will be reguarly updated.
Please feel free to contact me when you have issues with your instrument.
Loose bridge repair
The repair of a loose bridge of a Martin 00-12 vintage guitar also included a fretjob and some restaurations of the top.
Broken neck classical guitar
The repair of a broken neck of a classical guitar also included a fretjob with new frets and customizing.
Customizing a Ibanez Jem 777 VDY
Various customizing jobs to accomodate the clients wishes.