The ‘Constellation’ series
The ‘Constellation’ series is a run of twelve Californian style tenor and baritone ukuleles. These instruments will be co-branded ‘Howlett:Lipson’ until Pete’s retirement at the end of May ‘26. They are a true collaboration with the design and build input of each being shared between Pete and myself. Broadly, the split of work is:
I build and bind the sound box
Pete carves the neck
Pete or I does the finishing (the spray process)
We both do the set-up
We quality assure each others’ work!
They feature a unique aesthetic of the planets of the solar system on the fretboard (including the astonishing ‘Saturn’ inlay in gold and white Mother-of-Pearl on the 12th fret), a birth sign constellation of your choice inlaid on the back of the instrument in mother of pearl and an oval soundhole with a gorgeous Thuya burr wood ‘heart’ rosette. In order to make this a truly personal instrument we are offering our clients their own choice of a selection of different hardwoods for the backs and sides and of softwoods for the soundboard.
The detailed specification of these instruments is:
Hardwood back and sides with the client’s choice of Indian Rosewood, European Walnut, Coalbrookdale Yew, Oregon Myrtle, Koa, ‘curly’ Khaya or English Cherry
Soft wood soundboard with the client’s choice of Spruce, Redwood or Pencil Cedar
Client’s choice of birth sign constellation inlaid in Mother-of-Pearl on the back of the instrument
Unique ‘Planets of the Solar System’ inlaid in the fretboard
Oval soundhole with custom decorative Thuya Burl rosette
Black Ebano binding with decorative crowsfoot purfling
Custom design Ebony bridge with 42mm string spacing
Ebony fretboard and headstock veneer
Headstock inlaid with limited edition ‘Howlett:Lipson’ co-branding
38mm nut width with hand carved nut and classic ‘Howlett’ hand carved neck profile
Gotoh classic UK700 15:1 ratio tuners in gold with ivoroid buttons
As of 2nd January 2026 only 4 of the 12 ‘Constellation’ series ukuleles remain available. If you are interested in one of these uniquely gorgeous instruments then please get in touch!
a Tenor Constellation, ‘Capricorn’ in Oregon Myrtle back and sides, Alpine Spruce soundboard, Shropshire Alder neck, Ebony bridge, fretboard & headstock with Gotoh UK700 tuners in Gold & Ivoroid. This instrument is decorated with the constellation in Gold Mother-of-Pearl on the rear lower bout, a custom Thuya burl ‘heart’ rosette and the planets of the solar system as fretboard markers. A stunningly beautiful instrument!
