Sneak peek at the Iron Uke display for the Spring show.

Someone (all right, me) has uploaded a picture of the super secret new Iron Uke / TinCan Banjo display.
 But can it bake a cake!? Or catch a bear? (yikes!)

Back in Business!

Okay! The new Ukes - lighter, smoother and with the single coil pick-up are now in stock at 1207 Bloor St W (Bloor + Brock). Also the 23" TinCan Banjo which is also lighter, smoother and has the coil pick-up as well. Check them out (one's gone already!)

No more Piezo's. Handwound single coil pick-ups!

Fully acoustic - and a single coil pick-up as well! I can get 10000 winds and still get it to fit into the new larger, stronger steel bracket that joins the lightweight tin to the neck.
The experiments are done, the coils work great with big, full sound and now I begin production.

I think I will change the back of the necks as well: instead of a V shape, I'm going to go for the 'D' shape, which I did for the wider 6-string fretboard. It will, however, add a slightly greater weight. For the lesser hand fatigue, I think it may be worth it. We'll see.

Next show: Spring One-of-a-Kind at Exhibition Place March 28 - April 01, 2012

If you've never been to the One-of-a-Kind show in Toronto at Exhibition Place then it's really time to visit. There are hundreds of vendors displaying the latest in hand-made everything. Plenty of parking. The WOW! factor is huge as vendors are handpicked to be at the top of their craft and their greatest and latest is displayed for you.
The Spring show is not quite as crazy or packed as the Christmas show so it's a good time to get acquainted with this marketplace.
I really hope to see you there: March 28 - April 01

Fantastic Christmas Season, new models coming

Wow! I'm sorry to those people who realized that I had to raise the price of the TinCan Uke - but, yes, you bought it anyway and I know you know it's worth every penny.
   I promise (for this year anyway) that I will not raise the price of the acoustic 17" TinCan Uke anymore. What happened is that I am selling out again and have little money left over to show for it and am working 14hrs a day, 7 days a week to keep up.
It's not about getting rich: I have little desire to be a rich man (in terms of $$! I am already a rich man in the other important areas!) - but neither do I want to be a slave. So the price, really, is a happy balance between financial security and satisfying my market. I want everyone who wants one of my instruments to have one - within reason. I have bartered, given away and offered discounts to younger and older, needier folk - but the bottom line is also that I need time with my family and I need to pay the bills too.
I hope you understand.
Looking forward to donating some prototypes with the Sunk'n City Gypsies this year: this upstart Toronto punk/grassroots band have promised to put the new single coil acoustic/electric Ukes + Banjo's on the road and rock the new 6-string Mastro-caster humbucker. Right On!!
Just let me develop them first. Starting Monday. Stay tuned.

Lowes Christmas Market 2011

Well, here we are. I'm sharing with Jodi of a 'Weed Bit Natural'. It's little chilly at times but there's two radiant heaters going and the weather is really quite mild for this time of year. Note the ghostly Uke hovering in the cabin? Weird.

Waldorf Day

Tons of people showed up at the Waldorf School in Vaughn on Saturday. The set-up pic is a little blurry as I forgot the tripod. My thanks to the happy new owners of TinCan Ukes!

Next stop - Lowes Christmas Market, Dec 02 - 18th. Now... back to work!