aNueNue Moonbird Tenor Ukulele UT200

aNueNue ukuleles take a long time to make. This is not only the result of painstaking craftmanship on behalf of the luthier team involved. aNueNue woods are air dried and aged for up to 5 years prior to use. They are graded and the best of the best cuts go towards the Bird Series ukuleles. So, when you pick up a UT200 ukulele, you are picking the better half a decades' worth of preparation and attention to detail. You are picking up unparalleled professionalism.

aNueNue Moonbirds are completely solid instruments. The top is solid Swiss Moon Spruce, a tree native to high altitudes of Switzerland and historically felled in accordance to the lunar cycle and its relationship to sap flow. I won't go into the science because, well, it's above my pay grade. Long story short, this selection of Spruce is incredibly rich and opens into complex tonal variety as it the wood matures. It is a highly sought after top for guitars and ukuleles. The grain is extraordinarily thin and can just be made out upon close inspection. Its milky almond hue pairs excellently with the Spalted Maple rosette.

Next stop is the back and sides, made from solid Indian Rosewood. The finish is gloss, but satin Mahogany is used for the back of the neck and headstock. A good choice as I find a satin finish particularly on the neck provides the smoothest movement up and down the fretboard. The UT200 also has a depressed neck, opposed to the classic half circle, which gives a little more wiggle room.

The sound is crisp, strong, and well balanced, toward the mellower side for Spruce. The highs do not dominate but perfectly compliment the instrument's range. It feels fun to play, yet at the same time delicate and contemplative, which I think was aNueNue's intention. The Moonbird is an instrument that will last a lifetime and see you through the ups and downs and all the moments between.