The Sinker Six

The Sinker Six is my first six string tenor ukulele. The sides and back are Claro Walnut also known as California Walnut. The top is California Redwood. This is called "Sinker Redwood" Why that name you say? Here is why. One hundred fifty years ago (about) Redwood trees were being logged on the slopes of the Mendocino River. As there were very few roads you could not harvest lumber as we do today with big lumber trucks. So the logs were cut, branches removed and the log rolled or dragged down slope and into the river. The logs were floated down river to the mill. Along the way, from time to time, a log would become "waterlogged" and sink to the bottom of the river. It would lie there for a hundred or more years absorbing minerals and salts from the river.The water would rise and fall, the chemicals in the water would vary from season to season. The logs would be stained and discolored. A few years ago several of these logs were raised from the river, dried and cut into lumber. Lutheriers have always regarded Redwood and one of the best materials for guitar tops and now you have a wood that not only has the great sonic qualities of redwood but a very unusual unique look. No two pieces are the same in color and pattern.

It did not take long for the California Department Of Fish And Game to put a stop to salvaging logs from the river bottom. The process badly disturbed the resting grounds for fish eggs and other creatures living on the bottom and in the water. So the sinker wood we have is all we will ever have. I have sinker wood for two more ukes. The price just keeps going up. Soon it will be too expensive for me. Oh well.....





This is a view of the top as I was installing the top bracing. Those sticks you see hold the brace in place as the glue dries. I will shape the braces after they are dry. You can see the grain pattern in the "sinker" wood.