UkeTalk Interview with
Peter Howlett of UK Ukes
October 2005

UkeTalk would like to thank Pete Howlett for lending his time to share his thoughts. We highly recommend you check out his work at: Howlett Ukes

Q: What got you started in building ukuleles?

Pete Howlett: I did a show in Dallas, Texas in the spring of 1994 and had some Terz guitars for sale. Opposite us was Collier Thelen of Music Exchange in Hawaii. He asked if we could build ukes, met with us in the fall in Texas again and showed us two Kamaka tenors - an eight and a six string. He sent us some KOA sets and the rest is history!

Q: What ukulele building styles do you favor, Hawaiian, mainland, or perhaps other influences?

Pete Howlett: I researched a huge collection in Ohio and settled on 3 shapes - Ditson style, Vita Uke (my favourite) and mainland Harmony built 'Red Head'. I build mostly concerts and try to focus on using curly woods.

Q: Is there anything you do differently from other builders that adds your own signature style?

Pete Howlett: No... I am sure we are all working to the same goal - doing the best we can with the skills we have.

Q: Do you also build other stringed instruments?

Pete Howlett: There are people out there who play my harp guitars and Weissenborns and a few who have Stella 12-string remakes and LO remakes but no, I really prefer to stick to ukulele making.

Q: You're one of the few sources to purchase a good quality ukulele kit. What inspired you to make these available?

Pete Howlett: Just that - supplying a good kit out there. I looked at the market and there was nothing to help someone who had a passion to build but only intermediate skills to do so. StewMac's kits are certainly an inspiration but the hope is that more people will be able to access this lovely instrument and get pleasure from producing a first class self-build. My idea is to machine most of the parts and provide as much support in construction. I hope it has worked!

Q: Is your luthier style based more on physics and math, or do you work on intuition and feel?

Pete Howlett: I failed math and physics at school :) No, seriously... the ukulele is a very small instrument. You take any Jonah Kumalae uke - normally they are as rough as a bears backside but often they are incredibly load and sweet. He built very light and put a huge curve in the back... maybe he knew something we don’t?

Q: Have you considered authoring a how-to-build book for the ukulele?

Pete Howlett: Yes, I have-but that is a project for when I am retired...

Q: Is there a certain brand of string that you favor on your own ukes?

Pete Howlett: I've had a long distance friendship with Bob Gleason at Pegasus Guitars for years - he was my 'warranty-man' when I was exporting to Hawaii and put bridge plates in the first two ukes I built (I left them out because I didn't think the tension would pull the bridges off :(). His Hilo brand of strings work well for me and are consistent.

Q: Do you have any US dealers for UK Ukes?

Pete Howlett: When they can get them from me, Dusty Strings in Seattle will have them. However, now I only work part time (illness has prevented me from returning full time to building) they will only get a few a year...

Q: There's a noticeable increase in rock musicians adopting the ukulele lately; Todd Rundgren, Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello have toured or recorded with the uke, as well as others. Do you feel a ukulele resurgence happening in the UK as we are experiencing here in the US?

Pete Howlett: We are trying. Our flag wavers are the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. They get a huge amount of airplay and TV coverage. Their leader George is awaiting a couple of ukes from me. However, I think the increase in popularity is small but steady. I see more instruments in stores these days but very few people over here will pay big bucks for an ukulele!