This was a one off ukulele, which has now been sold.

When I first opened the box of this Martin Beck tenor ukulele, my excitement at the amazing tone took hold and I played for some time - until I finally realised if I didn't stop, I'd have to advertise it as used! Yes, it looks great too, but despite all of the lovely looking extras it was, as it should be, the sound that grabbed me first.

This all solid tenor ukulele is handmade in Canada by Martin van Humbeck, who is based on Vancouver Island, where he makes these instruments in a traditional way in his workshop. You can tell it is handmade - it has a vintage feel to it, really light and resonant.

The top is AAAA grade Canadia red cedar, with AAAA grade solid big leaf flamed maple for the very pretty, figured back and sides. The spalted maple asymmetrical soundhole decoration is my favourite of the visual features, which include bloodwood binding and tail graft and rosewood headplate and bridge pins. This Martin Beck tenor ukulele also features the luthier's signature, intricate side soundport.

The ukulele is fitted with Worth clear strings, together with a Fremont low G. A low G isn't always my first choice - I just favour high G for my own playing but it makes total sense here. The trebles are bright and strong and the low G marries up in perfect harmony. The balance is incredible. Often low G's can take over but this one's impressive trebles match in wonderfully.

The uke has a 35mm nut width, and its thin, resonant wood makes it easy to hold and light to play. It is fitted with Gotoh 510 super mini geared tuners, super-smooth operation and nice and light too.

This Martin Beck tenor is supplied in a tweed style hard case. The sound is the real star here, it is a behemoth, a triumph, a belter (my eloquence deserted me at the last moment there!)

For a video demo of this Martin Beck tenor ukulele, click additional info below.