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Judy Coons, I've played piano for a long time, had tried guitar a little, but was fascinated with the portable fun that playing a ukulele could bring to my life. I went to a music store and bought one, and started playing. But then, in August 2011, I heard the first concert model "Pinecone" Uke at Brian Griffin's house, and raved to my husband about it. "Sounds nice" was all he said. In the months that followed I mentioned it a few more times. "Hrmph" was his only response. Then, Christmas, 2011 he sent me to the closet to get a secret package and there it was! My very own hand-crafted "Pinecone" uke! To tell you the truth, I wept, I was so overcome...it is so beautiful in appearance, so compact, but most important , it sounds so wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing beautiful tone, great fun, and fine craftsmanship into the life of a grateful Concert "Pinecone" owner! I know that its one of the best things I've ever been able to call "All Mine" |
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Patrick Madsen
Hi Brian, I was just sitting here playing my Griffin tenor. I play it for at least 1 1/2 hours a day. I own a few other custom made high end ukes but always reach for my Griffins first. The rich,deep mellow tone is something I haven't found in any other uke I've tried. Your choice of woods was right on. The old-growth red cedar sound board with black walnut sides and book matched figured maple back looks spectacular. The weeks you spent putting a French polish on it really made it shine with a deep, deep luster; something only a master craftsman takes the time to do and has the pride in his instruments to warrant it. My pinecone travel soprano, made with an Englemann Spruce top, concave hand carved fiddleback maple back, maple sides with a walnut neck and Honduran rosewood fretboard is light as a feather with the volume and sound quality of a high end soprano. The build quality, action and spot on intonation is evidenced by your desire to have your ukes around in a hundred years for someone, somewhere to be marveling at a quality instrument made by a master luthier in his one man shop. Thank you so much for making such wonderful, quality instruments. I can't wait to order my next one. They will be treasured by my family for generations to come. Yours, Pat Madsen |
Georgia Heald
I purchased a tenor ukulele from Brian Griffin a little over a year ago. It is an outstanding musical instrument. My husband, who is not a big ukulele fan, says my playing sounds so much better since then. Not only is it a fine musical instrument, it is a wonderful piece of art. Outstanding craftsmanship and magnificent woods add to its beauty. Along with the ukulele I received a description and history of all the different woods used, and how they affect the sound and quality. I plan to enjoy playing my ukulele for many years.
Kathyrn Veje
Oh my gosh, I love i! But you knew I would!
Its beautiful in its simple elegance, and the Aurora strings add just the right touch. It sounds terrific, and feels just right in my hands. The letter was such a wonderful bonus and makes it that much more special. I'm going to go read it again right now.
Who knows, maybe i'll be in the market for a tenor by autumn
Thanks for making such an awesome ukulele
Kathryn
Its beautiful in its simple elegance, and the Aurora strings add just the right touch. It sounds terrific, and feels just right in my hands. The letter was such a wonderful bonus and makes it that much more special. I'm going to go read it again right now.
Who knows, maybe i'll be in the market for a tenor by autumn
Thanks for making such an awesome ukulele
Kathryn
JOHN WEAVER ,M.D.
John bought my 6th build, a cedar top tenor with walnut sides and a figured maple back, He told me the other day, "I have four ukes. I find that the first one I pick up every day is the Griffin. I don't do it with a purpose or pre-intent, it is simply an involuntary thing I do, I guess I like to play it best" Now that is a lovely testimonial. Thank you John!
John bought my 6th build, a cedar top tenor with walnut sides and a figured maple back, He told me the other day, "I have four ukes. I find that the first one I pick up every day is the Griffin. I don't do it with a purpose or pre-intent, it is simply an involuntary thing I do, I guess I like to play it best" Now that is a lovely testimonial. Thank you John!
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MEGAN JONES I purchased my first Griffin Concert Pinecone fitted with the low G string and was won over by the mellow harp-like tone. Well, what can I say? Of course I had to add the Soprano Pinecone with the high G (re-entrant tuning) to complete the set. Thanks so much Brian for creating these lovely ukuleles |
Linda Zielinski - Cathie Shaeffer - Stephanie Stirling
I received this photo and a delightful message in an e-mail yesterday 5/17/15. Cathy Shaeffer, (center) wrote,"Hi Brian,just a note to let you know how much I like my Pinecone. Quite a few people in Anacortes have your pinecone uke. Here are just three of us. Linda Zielinski (left), Stephanie Stirling (right) and I are practicing for the I Love A Ukulele concert in Bellingham" Thanks Cathy you have warmed my heart.
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Chip Lauckhart
Brian- I just finished practicing with my ukulele and felt compelled to write to let you know what an absolute joy it is to play the instrument you hand-crafted. It is a true delight! The collection of woods, redwood,rosewood,mahogany and ebony , that you used to make the ukulele are simply beautiful to look at and to hold in your hands. But.....the real joy is the sound!! Oh, do I love it. It's got a special clarity and richness thats uniquely pleasant to the ear. It's hard to put down and my other ukes are getting very little exercise. Again, just wanted to share how happy I am with my Griffin Ukulele. It's one of my personal treasures with the added benefit of having been made by a supremely competant craftsman with whom I can talk and visit. Thanks so very much Chip Lauckhart P.S. With the wider fretboard I can finally play a decent B flat chord |
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Bonnie Kahn
Bonnie wrote from Indiana "Thanks so much Brian! I love it, It sounds beautiful and looks beautiful" Thanks Bonnie, that is music to a luthier's ears. STEVE RUFFIN IS JAMMIN ON A PINECONE IN TENNESSEE
He bought #67 recently and sent me this message "Brian, I just wanted to send you a picture of the Pinecone in action. I am amazed at the sound that comes out of this ukulele, I simply love it! Thank You |
In Feb. of 2016 Steve bought #78, a tenor built with Australian Blackwood sides and back, and master-grade Redwood from an old water tank atop a NYC apartment house. Here is his report a month later
"The Redwood tenor is starting to open up. It is a marvelous instrument. I really love those strings. This is my first tenor and it is a comfortable instrument for me. I like the fret size and since I am a fairly large guy, the tenor size fits me well. That redwood is some really nice stuff. The growth ring count is really astounding. I would love to know where and when it was cut but it obviously is first growth logging...far too nice to be used in a water tower. It now has new life and an elegant voice. Thank you for such a beautiful instrument. Steve
"The Redwood tenor is starting to open up. It is a marvelous instrument. I really love those strings. This is my first tenor and it is a comfortable instrument for me. I like the fret size and since I am a fairly large guy, the tenor size fits me well. That redwood is some really nice stuff. The growth ring count is really astounding. I would love to know where and when it was cut but it obviously is first growth logging...far too nice to be used in a water tower. It now has new life and an elegant voice. Thank you for such a beautiful instrument. Steve
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THIS FELLOW WITH THE CHICKEN ON HIS SHOULDER AND HIS NEW TENOR IN HIS HANDS IS GORDON ROBINSON. HE JUST WROTE ME THE FOLLOWING KIND WORDS. Nov 20, 2016
Hi Brian, been playing my walnut tenor now for a couple of weeks and wanted to let you know that all is well. It has become the favorite of my small collection. Love the wide fretboard and the sound hole. I am also glad I decided on the pickup. I acquired an inexpensive acoustic amp (Behringer AT108) and it sounds great.
I did restring it to reentrant tuning. To my ear the wound strings overpowered the nylon and the difference bothered me. I had some Martin Strings in my collection that sound very nice. And re-stringing was very easy. the hardest part was tying a knot in those slippery nylon strings. Loved the slot they fit in, and the pegs just pulled out. Perfect ! Thanks again. Gordon |
BETH FROM ILLINOIS BOUGHT A TENOR JUST LIKE THE ONE I BUILT FOR STUART FUCHS.
I saw Stu Fuchs tenor in process and started following Brian's blog...by
the time Stu had his instrument and I heard it I was itching to have one in my hands. I couldn't be happier. I love the tone and the feeling, its just beautiful- I pick it up when I get up and before I go to bed. Its become the only ukulele I play. The combination of woods, the structure, the care that goes into each instrument. Sound healing at the best.
the time Stu had his instrument and I heard it I was itching to have one in my hands. I couldn't be happier. I love the tone and the feeling, its just beautiful- I pick it up when I get up and before I go to bed. Its become the only ukulele I play. The combination of woods, the structure, the care that goes into each instrument. Sound healing at the best.
TIM HAS RECEIVED HIS KASHA TENOR IN AUSTRALIA
And sent this kind message "I just wanted to let you know I think the uke sounds fantastic! You have done an excellent job for which I am grateful. I am sure i will enjoy it for years ahead"
And sent this kind message "I just wanted to let you know I think the uke sounds fantastic! You have done an excellent job for which I am grateful. I am sure i will enjoy it for years ahead"
SANDRA LUDLOW WRITES FROM BERKELEY CALIFORNIA
I couldn't be happier with my handcrafted Griffin ukulele. Its a real treasure-the different woods-the stain-the design. Its gorgeous to look at, but even better is the rich, pleasing tone. I play it every single day and it never fails to delight me. I enjoyed the process working with Brian and seeing the daily progress on Brian's blog of my ukulele as it was being built. I feel so fortunate to have this beautiful instrument in my life. Thank you Brian.
I couldn't be happier with my handcrafted Griffin ukulele. Its a real treasure-the different woods-the stain-the design. Its gorgeous to look at, but even better is the rich, pleasing tone. I play it every single day and it never fails to delight me. I enjoyed the process working with Brian and seeing the daily progress on Brian's blog of my ukulele as it was being built. I feel so fortunate to have this beautiful instrument in my life. Thank you Brian.
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TERRY CLEMENTS
FROM THE CALIFORNIA REDWOOD COUNTRY PURCHASED MY OLD FAVORITE AND WRITES
" What a wonderful experience it has been ---serenditously chancing upon your website and becoming the very happy owner of griffin #27
FROM THE CALIFORNIA REDWOOD COUNTRY PURCHASED MY OLD FAVORITE AND WRITES
" What a wonderful experience it has been ---serenditously chancing upon your website and becoming the very happy owner of griffin #27
march, 2021
ALLEN MAY JUST RECEIVE HIS NEW TENOR
I Love it. Looks amazing and the sustain and sound quality is awesome- sounds great
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A "G" IN BORDEAUX
A "G" IN BORDEAUX
Ali Al Anizi plays his tenor in Bordeaux France joining other owners in England, Spain, Germany, Australia and Finland. Always exciting to get an order from overseas.
