Galileo

The Galileo ukulele is named after Galileo Galilei, father of the scientific method, reflecting its roots in research, observation, and innovation. Unlike other models, the Galileo was designed from the ground up to incorporate modern theories about how acoustic instruments work:

• Elevated Neck: Designed to provide a greater string angle, enhancing the overall playability and tone of the instrument.

• Double Shell Design: The unique double-shell construction allows for easier tuning and adjustment of both the top and back of the ukulele, ensuring optimal resonance and sound quality.

• Increased Mass of Sides and Blocks: The addition of mass to the sides and blocks helps improve the sustain of the soundboard, delivering a richer, longer-lasting tone.

It’s an original ukulele that blends traditional craftsmanship and CNC technology  with a more scientific approach to instrument acoustics.

SPECIFICATIONS

Body: carved Cherry or Chestnut
Soundboard: same wood of the body or Val di Fiemme red spruce
Neck: Cherry or Chestnut
Fretboard and bridge: thermotreated pearwood
Decorations: none
Available sizes: Soprano, Tenor and Baritone

One of its key features is an optimized building process: the body is carved from a solid block, allowing for greater precision and simplifying many construction steps. This approach not only supports a more controlled voicing of the instrument, but also makes the entire build more agile and consistent without compromising quality.

The ideas first developed in Galileo later inspired the creation of Bardo—a model where I refined minimalism and process optimization to achieve a truly exceptional balance of quality, sound and affordability.

In the Galileo building process, I use a carved-from-solid method that simplifies many construction steps and allows for precise work with CNC machinery. While this method provides excellent consistency and tone, it does come with the downside of higher wood waste.

To address this, I’ve developed a father-and-son system, where the internal waste from the construction of a larger ukulele can be used to create a smaller one. For example, the leftover wood from a Galileo Tenor can be transformed into an Allegro Sopranino, while scrap from a Galileo Baritone can be used to build a Galileo Soprano.

Options

The Galileo ukulele is available in several wood options, each bringing subtle tonal nuances. The chestnut model offers a brighter, punchy tone, while cherry wood adds a slightly warmer, rounder quality. The spruce top enhances projection and clarity, providing both more basses and trebles, with a larger dynamic range. The Aged Chestnut features a dark, vintage finish that emphasizes the wood’s open grain, but its tone remains the same to the regular chestnut.