Bid to win this beautiful Hornet ukulele from The President Carter Legacy Collection, played by ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro in Hawaii for President Carter's 96th birthday. The instrument, signed by Jake Shimabukuro, comes with a hard case and a certificate of authenticity signed by President Carter.
Handcrafted by Jake Maclay of Hive Ukuleles, this unique instrument is made from Empress (Paulownia) wood grown by President Carter. It exhibits the exquisite tone, superb playability, and artful beauty that has made Hive Ukuleles renowned nationally, and is one of two ukuleles in The President Carter Legacy Collection.
In his tribute to President Carter, Jake Shimabukuro, who calls the ukulele the instrument of peace, dedicated his performance to the “man of peace” and thanked President Carter “for making the world a better place. Not only for me but my children and my children’s children.”
The President Carter Legacy Collection of 8 stringed instruments, made from the trees grown on President Carter’s farm, was created to honor the 39th President of the United States’ ongoing commitment to building a sustainable future. Not only was he the first man to put solar panels on the roof of the White House, he pioneered the farming of a non-invasive variety of Paulownia in the United States. Paulownia is one of the world’s fastest growing hardwoods; a tree that reaches maturity in as little as 10 years and regrows from the stump multiple times without replanting, making it a truly renewable resource. As the stringed instrument industry faces increasing shortages of traditional tonewoods, farmed Paulownia is primed to become a viable alternative tonewood in the future. President Carter remarked, when presented with the completed collection:
“It is my hope that these instruments bring happiness to all who both play them and hear them and that they inspire us all to pursue a more sustainable future.” Jimmy Carter.
In this clip, President Carter gets to hear, for the first time, what a renewable resource sounds like. The collection received the Presidential Seal of Approval.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit two charities very close to President Carter’s heart: Farm Aid, founded by his long-time friend Willie Nelson, which advocates for fair farm policies that promote resiliency, sustainability, equity, and diversity across our food system, and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Unit of the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, an organization that enables young people (especially those who need it most) to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
Body Shape: Tenor ukulele
Top: Sitka Spruce
Back/Sides: Paulownia grown by President Carter
Rosette: Wenge and Ebony
Binding: Wenge
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Bound Ebony
Bridge: Ebony - with 7 degree slanted saddle slot
Scalloped Nut: Bone
Saddle: Bone
Finish: Tobacco Sunburst
Tuners: Gold Waverly Tuners with Ebony Knobs
Hard Shell Case: Ameritage Gold Series
Nut width - 1 3/8
String Span at Bridge - 1 3/4
Lower Bout - 9 3/8
Upper Bout - 6 7/8
Waist - 5 11/16
Depth - Lower Bout - 3
Depth - Upper Bout - 2 1/2
Scale Length - 17
Body Length - 12 3/16