Luthier gives back to the Ukulele community
Monday, May 5th, 2008
Mike DaSilva makes terrific ukes. They are right up my alley with interesting sounds, choices of wood and grace to their design. Mike’s love of the ukulele runs deep and long. He’s also profoundly grateful for the luck he’s experienced (I’d call it “hard work with passion”). Mike’s first ukulele was a $100 Martin. Since, he’s found a few other incredible deals but mostly he loves making them.
Mike began running into others who had a passion for the uke, perhaps talented musicians who couldn’t afford a quality instrument or someone with such a passion to just learn to play the uke that they’d settle for anything.. anything at all. He had a simple idea. Just give them one. When Mike came across someone that he believed deserved a uke that didn’t have one, he give the person one of his. Just gave it. No strings. They were free to do with it whatever they wanted as it was theirs to use as they saw fit.
I know we all would love to be on the receiving end of such generosity. After all, Mike builds fabulous ukes. But would it be terrific if instead of receiving, we put giving into the forefront of our minds? I imagine that most who might read this pathetic ramblings of an old uke dude probably also have a passion for the ukulele. Heck, you might be like me and have a few here and there. Is there someway to pass along the joy it’s brought to you and me? Think about it. Maybe go buy someone a clip-on tuner. Or what about purchasing a music stand for someone? It doesn’t have to be a uke, just something to pass along what we’ve all been very lucky in receiving… the joy of uke. Please.
Got a yearning for something special? Check out Mike’s ukes. I promise that you won’t be sorry.
DaSilva Ukulele Co.
2547 8th Street, #28
Berkeley, CA 94710
510 649-1548
www.ukemaker.com
