My Main Gigging Gear
This is my, Curt Sheller's main and preferred gigging gear that I use or have used in the past.
Current Musical Gear - 2018-2019
The following are my main instruments and related gear:
Main Ukuleles
I have two Ko'olau CS (Contemporary Series) Model Tenor Ukuleles, amazing instruments with a cedar top and rosewood sides and backs. One delivered November 2009 and one from February 2017. These are my main performance ukuleles for everything. Both with a low G. Basically a number one and a backup being groomed and in-training and live broken string scenarios.
For a details and nitty gritty regarding the strings I use checkout this Ask Curt page response: What Ukulele Strings Do You Use?
- Ko'olau CS Model Tenor Ukulele ( strings: Savarez Alliance Red Card classical guitar strings and/or Ko'olau Alohi'. • ( low-G, C Tuning ), I have two of theses. Main one throughly broken in for performance and one in-training.

The Rest of the `Ukulele Gang
- Lanakia All Koa Tenor - This is made in the USA ( Hawai`i ) ukulele. • ( high-G, C Tuning ) SOLD
- Pono Pro Classic Thinline solid-body tenor and baritone ukulele. Pretty much any Pono and Pono Pro Classic instrument is better then most mass produced ukuleles. • ( low-G, C Tuning )
- Magic Fluke Koa Tenor . • ( high-G, C Tuning )
A Few Past Favorites and some that are currently for sale.
- Martin IZ Mahogany Tenor. • ( high-G, C Tuning ) - SOLD
This was and is an amazing instrument. Probably have to get another one at some time - shouldn't have let it go. Or the 2K tenor that I also had and let go.
Keep trying to get Martin to let us, Funky Frets be a ukulele only dealer.
- Mya-Moe Classic Tenor. • ( low-G, C Tuning ) - SOLD ( $2700 )
Guitars
- Custom Funky Frets made Tele® ( pictured here ) with D'Addarrio .011s and a Fishman Fluence Signature Series Greg Koch Gristle-Tone™ Pickup Set .
- American Archtop Legend 7 String Archtop guitar by Dale Unger strung with Thomastik Ifield Bebop .014s -
For SALE ( $5500 )
This guitar is not getting the love and playing that it needs since I've been 100% committed to ukulele. Needs a good home and get played. Check it out on Reverb.com
Vist my CurtSheller.com site for photos.
- Takamine P1M Acoustic - Cedar top with rosewood backs and sides. It is strung with Martin Lifespan 80/20 Bronze 12s or 13s. For SALE
I play this guitar more than any other I have. Used a lot in lessons with students. Until I can get one of the Fender Acoustisonic Telecasters.
- Fender American Elite Telacaster® with Thomastik Ifield Infeld .010s or 011s For SALE ( $1700 ) - not using since we made our own Tele - actually never really used it. - SOLD
Have my eye on a Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster


Strings
Here are the strings that I typically use on my guitars and ukulele.






Ukuleles
Both the Ko'olau, Pono and MyaMoe ukuleles have a radius fingerboard which does make a big difference in ease of playing. The Ko'olau, Pono and MyaMoe are all strung with a low G. For high G, C tuning I grab an American made all Koa Lanakia. Other than Pono I've only found the Godin Multiuke to have a radius fingerboard in a mass produced ukulele.
And with our own music store, ( Funky Frets, Boyertown, PA USA ) – that is naturally, heavy into ukuleles and over 100 ukuleles in stock at all times. I'm in a position to play pretty much what I want — but it's the Ko'olau CS Tenor that gets the most action. That and a Pono solid-body are the only performance ukuleles I perform with in concert.
Amplifiers
For amplifiers I use an AER Compact 60 as my main amp for any acoustic instruments (guitar and ukulele) and it works great with the Tele and bass. Backups or if I need a PA include Fishman SA220 PA or one of the Fishman Loudbox series of amplifiers. Typically no effects and for a DI I only use Fire-Eye , L.R. Baggs , Radial Engineering or Fishman .
I really like to keep the gear simple. No endorsements or artist models for me. I like to make my own choices and not be locked in to or be put in a position to recommend a specific brand of gear. The same gear as I have will never make you sound like me and I'll never sound like me by using your gear.

Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books! — Peter Rhee
Aloha, Curt, All I can say is WOW! What you have accomplished is simply incredible! All the best — Glen Hirabayashi, The Aloha Boys
Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too. — Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg
I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books — I have four of them and they are excellent. — fatveg — Portland
Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!

Original Animation by Curt Sheller - 1987 for my first web site 36 years ago.