This pair of instruments are used in a style of Indonesian music called Keroncong, and are descendents of the same Portuguese instruments that became the ukulele in Hawaii and the cavaquinho in Brazil.
Both of these instruments have three courses, with the cuk having three heavy nylon strings tuned G4 B3 and E4 and the cak having four thin wire strings tuned D5 D5 F#4 and B4. The clever rhythmic interplay between the two instruments forms the back bone of keroncong music.
These two instruments were commisioned by a British visitor to Indonesia and brought back several years ago. The Cuk had a become unglued at the headjoint and so I’ve put a little mahogany piece to help reinforce the joint (see photos).
Both instruments have bodies carved from solid blocks of timber and both sound incredible, with a level of projection that I’ve never heard from any ukulele.
£300 for the pair
