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Old News
All previous news items have been archived here for your browsing pleasure.
DaSilva Ukulele Co.
2547 8th Street, Suite 28
Berkeley, CA 94710
510 649-1548
email: mike@ukemaker.com
Copyright
@ 2007 Michael DaSilva
All Rights Reserved
July 6, 2006
Well, I finally got around to updating this website. Hopefully I have not lost too many ukulele enthusiasts in the meantime or maybe now it will be worth another visit.
It's a big update, so here is quick summary to guide you through the new items.
First of all, I just got back from the Portland Ukulele Festival. There are lots of photos and video clips in the Players and Events section. Highlights include a hula hoop twirling ukulele player, 100+ uke song and my ukes in concert.
Then I took some time and compiled many photos of the instruments I have produced and have uploaded them to the Photo Gallery. There are many new models included and several special signature models for the likes of Pops Bayless, Michelle Kiba and the guys in the Boulder Acoustic Society.
There are updated For Sale and Pricing pages. Please be sure to check out the new 1890 Santo and Martin 3K reproduction models as well as the newly available baritone model.
I still have more updates to upload, but this is a good start. Stay tuned and again, thanks for everyone's support.
January 29, 2006
What a past two weeks! First I want to thank Herb Ohta Jr., Daniel Ho and Keoki Kahumoku for putting on a great workshop and concert. They shared some wonderful ukulele and slack key tips and techniques then dazzled us with impeccable picking, heartfelt singing and island humor. They are welcome at the shop anytime!
Then it was of to the NAMM - The International Music Products Association show in Anaheim, California. I attended to help out my friend and wood supplier, Jorma Winkler in their booth. This show is for the music industry and everyone was there. Kamaka had their booth next to Winkler Woods and introduced their Jake signature model. And of course Jake entertained the show attendees with a several numbers right at the booth and later at a well attended concert. Here is Jake and I.
More photos from NAMM are in the Photo Gallery.
And now I am getting ready to host the Boulder Acoustic Society in a ukulele workshop and concert on Sunday, February 17th, 2006. If you've heard their music, you know they are not to be missed. They have just released their 2nd CD - "8th Color" and there will be a DaSilva Ukulele Giveaway as part of the promotion.
Check it out at http://www.boulderacousticsociety.net and get workshop and concert details in the Calendar section.
December 15, 2005
Thanks to everyone who made the Holiday Open House a great success. Good folks, plenty of wonderful music and lots of fun. Shaka helped get things started with his ukulele and jazz guitar stylings, then Dodge's Sundodgers wowed the crowd with virtuoso instrumentals and captivating vocals. Al Dodge has put together an incredible band, check them out at http://www.dodgessundodgers.com/listen.html.
Here is a photo of the Sundodgers.
DaSilva Ukulele Co. will be hosting many events in 2006. In addition to the house concerts, we are proud to announce Ukulele lessons and Hawaiian language class sponsored by The Institute of Hawaiian Music and Culture. Please check the Calendar section for full details.
And to kickoff the New Year, we will be hosting a jam session/open mic/potluck/movie night on January 1, 2006. Hope you can join us. Info is in the Calendar section.
So happy holidays and happy strumming,
Nov ember 3, 2005
Quick update - just got back from the Midwest Uke Fest in Indianapolis. Great music and lots of fun. Got to see James Hill, Bryan Tolentino and Side Order, Byron Yasui, Pops Bayless, Joel Eckhaus, The Heftones, Spanky (Mark Gutierrez) and many others. Wonderful workshops and the best jam sessions. Hats of to Geoff Davis and the Keystrummers. Check out www.keystrummers.org.
And Brittni will be here! Brittni Paiva that is. After dazzling many of us at the Southern California Festival, she will be making her first Bay Area appearance at DaSilva Ukulele Co. See the Calendar for details.
On the ukulele front I have some new models and special instruments being introduced in the next few weeks. Photos soon, so please check back.
August 3, 2005
What a great weekend! My hero, Byron Yasui provided us with three days of pure enjoyment with lessons, workshops and an astounding solo ukulele concert. His genuine warmth, astounding musical abilities, and willingness and ability to share his knowledge is cherished by all that were here. Thanks to all who attended. Photos and sound clips are in the Photo Gallery.
My great friend, Mark Gutierrez aka "Spanky" came all the way from Omaha, Nebraska to join us. Thanks Mark!
Other updates - additional acrobatic photos of Randall Wright, more instruments posted in the Photo Gallery, updated Pricing and instruments For Sale page and photos of the new shop in the Workbench section.
July 27, 2005
Well, Saturday's concert with the Rabid Bunnies was a great success! Randall Wright was given a proper sendoff on his Global Ukulele Odyssey. More photos to come, but part of the story with Randall, is that in his performance work he also stands, balances and does a handstand on his ukulele. Before Saturday he would perform this feat on an inexpensive plywood model. Well, we have been talking for the last year about building a special ukulele for this acrobatic trick ever since Randall asked me if my ukulele would hold 140lbs. (I said maybe, but the warranty would be void). Randall's trip prompted accelerating the project, and last week I completed an all bamboo concert ukulele for his trip. And Saturday, Randall tested it. Not much more to tell, here is the photo. More pictures of the uke and music clips from the concert will be posted soon.
July 21, 2005
Byron Yasui will be visiting
the Bay Area
July 29-31, 2005 with solo ukulele workshops and a special concert of solo ukulele. See the Calendar for details.
July 20, 2005
Finally! An update. A new shop, new ukulele, upcoming concerts and summer and fall ukulele festivals.
First, I moved the shop once more in April, 2005. The new space is 2500 sq.ft. with a dream workshop, performance stage with seating for 100, pro sound system , and pallets of Hawaiian koa wood to make ukuleles and furniture. Check out photos in Workbench section.
As far as building ukulele goes - I have completed and shipped many new models including several tenors with extensive inlays, concerts in bamboo and several standard sopranos. Check out photos in the Photo Gallery. I am also now a dealer of B-Band electronic pickups and pre-amps. If you want to get plugged in or need general repairs, give me a call.
I can now host small concerts in my new shop. We christened the space with a grand opening party back in April with none other than Michelle Kiba and the Tikitones. A good time was had by all. And there is more coming. On July 23 we are holding a benefit concert for Randall Wright to see him off on his Global Ukulele Odyssey to spread the word on ukulele around the world and to integrate indigenous music into his playing. His first stop - 3 months in Taiwan, China and India. See details in the Calendar .
It gets even better! Dr. Byron Yasui will be providing 3-days of workshops and performances on July 29-31. This will be a special weekend not to be missed. Full details in the Calendar .
And last, I will be attending several late summer and fall ukulele festivals. Please check the Calendar for the latest schedule.
Thanks for reading. I hope to see you at a ukulele event soon.
November 17, 2004
With the shop move, several really great uke fests and traveling to Hawaii this week, there has not been time to update the website. I do have a few new models and full photos are in the gallery, including my first Tenor! I have several orders and an endorsement from a well known player. Full stories when I am back around Thanksgiving.
September 11, 2004
I
will be traveling to Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum Expo 2004 in the coming
week and as such will be disconnected from email during that time. I
will still be available by phone, so just give me a call if you have any
questions.
And please keep sending in those nominations!
September 10, 2004
New photos in the Photo Gallery! Concert "Honu" in koa, concert "Honu" in mango, "blonde" soprano in spruce and primavera. Taking orders now. Get on the build list by giving me a call!
September 8, 2004
Phew! August was a busy month. And September does not appear to be letting up. Lots of updates today and a little website reorganizing. So here goes.
My luck continues. A great friend and great artist called me and asked if I would be interested in renting a 1000+ sq. ft. workspace next door to his studio That's like asking if ukulele are fun!
So as of today, I have a new address. It will actually take some time to move operations, but I can't wait. Space to expand, work more efficiently, stack lots of wood, build a humidity controlled wood storage and glue-up room, hold ukulele building workshops, occasional jam sessions, and group music classes. Ah, the possibilities. Check out the photos in Workbench section to see what I mean.
I have selected the August winner! I chose to stay local this time. Check out the Winners page to see who is the recipient of a little ukulele luck. And several Nominations have been posted for your enjoyment.
And several instruments have just been completed. As most of these will be touring with me at upcoming shows (check the Calendar), the photos will appear in the Photo Gallery only and not available for immediate sale. But if you are interested in purchasing, please call.
August 26, 2004
More new photos in the Workbench and Photo Gallery section!
August 19, 2004
New photos in the Workbench section! Getting tooled up for concerts, tenors and different styles has taken longer than I anticipated but we should be over the hump.
I also was just referred to a couple of great sites - www.mele.com, a great compilation of Hawaiian music catalogs and www.breezeofhawaii.com, a wonderful Internet radio station to do your computer work by.
August 5, 2004
Sorry but I have not found the time to post more nomination stories. But for the luthiers in the ukulele world I put up some photos in the Workbench section of my new fret slotting system. I now have the ability to cut fret slots with precise spacing for any scale length. If you are a ukulele builder, let me know if you would be interested in custom fretting templates or fretboards. There are also photos of several ukes that will be completed soon that were waiting on fretboards to be cut with the new system.
And I have started to take on some repair work. If you need your ukulele fixed, tuned up or you are building one and need assistance, please give me a call.
July 31, 2004
We have a winner! Her name is Kate Grotheer, an occupational therapist at a trauma center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her friend Ann, described her stressful but rewarding work, her tireless efforts and an immediate liking to Ann's new ukulele. It was hardly a stretch for me to imagine Kate strolling the halls of a big city hospital strumming her way to her next appointment. I for one, know of no better therapy for the mind and body. Thank you Ann for the inspiring story and Kate for your commitment to helping others.
You can read more about the July Giveaway nomination, winner and ukulele in a new section and some snippets of other nominations I have received. Please continue to send them in. The August Giveaway ukulele is on the drawing table now.
I've been concentrating on staying in the workshop and building ukuleles these past few weeks. There is a new instrument in the Ukulele section - an all mahogany soprano SM0 model, my homage to Martin. And continuing photos of work in progress in the Workbench section.
And finally, we continue to be blessed in the SF Bay Area by visits from world class musicians. Check out the calendar for details on upcoming workshops and shows.
July 12, 2004
I am back from the Guild of American Luthiers convention. There was a small but significant ukulele presence represented by builders Peter Hurney, Dave Means, Duane Heilman, and many others. In addition to attending the workshops and enjoying the concerts, my visit to the convention turned out to be mostly a wood buying trip - I purchased some amazing curly koa from Winkler Woods, some sets from Notable Woods and spruce from Northwest Specialty Woods. Check them out if you are building your own uke.
I am back in the shop for awhile now, and the July Giveaway ukulele is coming along nicely. Check out some photos in the Workbench section.
And on Wednesday, July 14th I will be attending the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz meeting for a uke workshop with none other than Ledward Ka'apana, dinner, give a short talk on my ukes, then a Ledward concert!!! Yes, heaven.
July 6, 2004
I am heading up to Tacoma, WA for the Guild of American Luthiers convention. I will be exhibiting but only on member only days Thursday and Friday. I have to leave early so will not be at the free public exhibit on Saturday. There will be other ukulele builders there, so don't miss it if you are in the area.
I
sent an acknowledgement to all those wonderful folks that submitted a
giveaway nomination. If you sent me an email nomination - but did
not get an
acknowledgement, please resend it. You know how email can be.
It may have been
spam-blocked. There are a few workbench updates and I have just completed a
very plain
but sweet sounding all-mahogany soprano. No photos till next week
when I am back.
June 29, 2004
This year is the 125th anniversary of the arrival of the three woodworkers in Honolulu from Madeira (Portugal) in 1879 that started all this ukulele fun. Ukulele master Byron Yasui has provided some special event information on the Ukulele Guild of Hawai'i annual convention in November as part of the celebration. Check it out in the Calendar section.
June
28, 2004
The wood for the July Giveaway has been selected. Check it out in
the Workbench. I have received about 20 nominations already! Selecting
will not be easy. I'll post some of them as soon as I find
time.
June
25, 2004
Thanks to everyone! The response to the website and the giveaway has
been wonderful. If you had not noticed, based on feedback, I
redesigned the pages to fit lower res browsers. Hope this
helps. And there are a few small updates.
June
24, 2004
Hi!
I finally got the website up and running.