Custom Ukuleles
Handbuilt by Oliver Pijoan, Luthier
Every ukulele is hand made, one at a time from carefully selected materials that are of the highest quality available. Where most ukuleles are manufactured from mass produced parts, every piece is custom made - one at a time - for each instrument. Thus there are no two ukuleles from my studio that are the same. Each one has its own distinctive character. Below are some comments from a few folks who have my ukuleles.
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Oliver Pijoan created a beautiful masterpiece ukulele for me. The soundboard is Port Orford Cedar. The back and sides are Myrtlewood, and the neck has both Sipo Mahogany and Indian Rosewood. The look is amazing, the action is perfect, and the sound is beautiful. I literally can't put it down. Everyone who sees it is amazed by its beauty and sound. The build experience that Oliver provided was awesome. He conferred with me every step of the way, offered expert advice and let me pick the wood, tuners and action. My ukulele build with him was awesome. I highly recommend Oliver Pijoan Custom Ukuleles.
Allen May
Vacaville, California
I picked up my new custom tenor ukulele from Oliver Pijoan yesterday and can't seem to put it down. It has exceeded my expectations in every way: tone, playability, and eye-catching beauty. Oliver builds one ukulele at a time, enabling him to create a truly custom instrument. After listening to my playing style, he guided my ideas on wood choices, neck shape and action, down the tiniest details. The tolerances, fit, finish and attention to detail are incredible. Not only are the builder's many years of experience evident when I hold this instrument, but also his joy and love of creating a functional work of art shine through. I feel very fortunate and honored to give voice to and take care of this fine ukulele for years to come.
David Wooten
Waldport, Oregon
I saw one of Oliver's ukuleles getting a pickup installed at a shop in Oregon. I knew it was a quality hand crafted instrument immediately (it almost glowed). I was told the maker was right there in Corvallis, so I took a picture of the label and went online to find out where.
I was invited to Oliver's workshop and was fascinated by our conversation about his passion. I started in with some discussion on the shortcomings of my two ukes. While I was with him, he offered me the uke he was about to finish up and had recently become available.
I love this tenor ukulele for its size and feel. I just love to reach over and pick it up any time I want with no fuss. It is light but sturdy. It sounds beautiful and plays in tune all the way up the neck. And it is a beautiful piece of art as well. The pictures on the Pijoan website are true to the actual woods and instruments that I have seen in person.
Carl Eikenberry
Albany, Oregon
The ukulele that Oliver crafted for me is stunningly beautiful. I can't say that enough. In a certain light, the wood looks almost three dimensional. I just kept looking at it again and again, noticing more and more detail. At first, I was overwhelmed by it's voice. Sweet and rich, it holds on to a true chord far longer than I've ever heard. I soon realized that my play had to change, to take advantage of what this instrument could do. Oliver worked with me to select every component, right down to the width of the fretboard and frets. The action is tailor made for me, and it lets me play on a new level. His instincts as a craftsman were spot on, I was lucky to take advantage of his years of experience. He is an absolute pleasure to work with.
Tami J Bomar
Gig Harbor, WA
Oliver's craftsmanship and attention to detail on each and everyone of his ukuleles is extremely unique. How and why are his works of art so different than his peers?
Heart and Soul. Through his passion, years as artisan woodworker, and intuition he brings every new ukulele he builds to life.
As a Hawaiian musician, ukulele player, I listen for the "kani", the voice, if you will, of the ukulele I play. Oliver's ukuleles have a tonal quality that is rare. Oliver's ukuleles literally "sing" with overtones and with a melodic voice that is pleasing to the ear.
Whether you are an amateur or seasoned professional, you will be pleasantly surprised and amazed at the quality craftsmanship as well as the many years of joy and happiness Oliver's ukuleles shall bring you.
Aloha,
Kaulana Scalise
Getting a custom-made ukulele from Oliver is a uniquely collaborative process, starting with picking the woods all the way through to choosing the decorative flourishes on the rosette and fretboard dots. Oliver sent progress pictures frequently with explanations of the work. We had conversations about my playing style and how that should influence the shape of the neck. The process is rewarding and the final instrument is a beautiful dream come true. I expect that this ukulele will be in my family for generations.
Dan Weston
Portland, Oregon
I've owned a custom built tenor ukulele from Oliver Pijoan since about January, 2021. It holds the loveliest resonance! The beautiful craftsmanship of Oliver's 55+ years in woodworking experience show in this wonderful little ukulele. It is a musical gem and one of my most prized possessions.
Javi
Portland, Oregon
When I received the ukulele from Oliver, I was stunned. It is a meticulously crafted work of art the likes of which I could not have expected. I knew it was going to be special because he communicated with me during the building process, but the real thing is even more beautiful and precious than I could have imagined. In addition to its aesthetic beauty, the sound is sweet and clear, almost bell-like. It rings, but is also crisp and well balanced in every position on the fretboard. This ukulele is a custom-designed instrument. Oliver communicates about wood choices, component choices, and provides his thoughts about how these choices will contribute to the final outcome and sound. It also meant a lot to me that he is very up-front about his wood sources and specifically uses tone woods that have been sustainably acquired from environmentally responsible sources. My Pijoan ukulele is truly a treasure. I love it!
Michael P.
Fort Collins, Colorado
This might sound strange, but the first thing I noticed about my Ukulele was the scent. I don't know if it was the wood that I picked out with Oliver (Pistachio!) or if it was finished with some kind of oil or additional varnish. I know it's cliche to say that "it reminded me of the woods", but it did.
After lifting it out of the case that Oliver shipped it in, I found that the instrument itself feels incredibly sturdy and is assembled with an uncanny precision. These tiny, thin pieces of wood have been cut, joined, and polished in such a way that I can't feel any difference between the layers of wood with my fingers. If I didn't know otherwise I would assume it was one piece and the layers were painted on the surface.
Playing my ukulele feels and sounds amazing! It's hard to believe that this tiny instrument can produce the sheer volume of sound that it does. Each note fills the room, and it feels effortless to make it so. I don't have any experience with string instruments, so I am still learning, but even when I fumble it still sounds "full"!
Gus G.
Fort Collins, Colorado
“Having known Oliver for many years as a friend, I was always aware of his love for crafting fine carpentry. When he told me he was focusing his considerable craftsmanship on custom-building ukuleles, I immediately began wondering what it would take to get him to make one for me. It turned out that all I had to do was ask. This is because Oliver loves what he does, and it is reflected in everything that comes out of his workshop. Making musical instruments is a natural development for him. From the first plans together, discussing characteristics of different woods for each component of the instrument, to the detail of the shoulder-strap button, he considers every aspect of design and material to offer the perfect instrument for the needs and preferences of his client. The process is very inclusive; Oliver updated me daily with progress reports, pictures and video of the latest developments, and his enthusiasm during the building phase is contagious. Oliver wants his customers to be as delighted with their instruments as he is with the creative process. His instruments are all labors of love and the love shines through in their form, finish and tone.”
Jon Kindler
Fort Collins, Colorado