Handcrafted Ukuleles Made in Italy

Custom ukuleles built one at a time by luthier

Francesco Verginelli in Rome.

Configure Your Ukulele - Commission your ukulele

Bespoke lutherie

Every instrument begins with a conversation. Before picking up any tool, I talk with the musician: I want to understand how they play, what they are looking for, what they feel. From that moment on, every choice — the woods, the shape, the details — responds to that person. I don't build instruments in series. I build your instrument.

• Fully handcrafted construction
• Individual wood selection
• Custom design
• Unique and recognisable sound

Limited production

I build 4–5 instruments a year. No more.

Each ukulele requires over 200 hours of work. That's not a number you can compress without losing something. This is why I accept a limited number of commissions: to follow each instrument from start to finish, without rushing and without compromise. An instrument made this way improves with age. It tells the story of the person who built it and the person who plays it.

Materials & sound research

I choose the woods one by one. It's not enough for them to look beautiful — they need to respond, they need to resonate. I work with Italian Red Spruce from the Paneveggio forest — the same forest that supplied the wood for Stradivari's violins — Indian rosewood, Hawaiian Koa, Ziricote and flamed maple. Every soundboard is evaluated individually, considering acoustic response, stiffness and figure.

The acoustic research is ongoing. Every construction choice — from the thickness of the plates to the geometry of the neck — affects the sound. I look for instruments that are balanced, responsive and rich in harmonics.

A transparent process

Before construction begins, I show you what your instrument will look like. I prepare renders based on the actual woods selected for your project, so you have a clear picture of what we will build together.

Explore the building process

Frequently asked questions

If you have questions about lead times, costs, materials or the differences between a handcrafted and an industrial instrument, the FAQ section has answers to the most common questions.

Start your project

If you are considering a handcrafted instrument and want to understand whether it is right for you, you can discover the full process or write to me directly. Every conversation is without obligation.

Follow me on Instagram to discover works in progress, selected tonewoods, and the latest builds. @francesco.verginelli