New Takamine Guitars Jake Shimabukuro Designed Ukulele

If you've followed Jake Shimabukuro for a while, you know that he devotes a good deal of time in support of Music is Good Medicine (MIGM), a non-profit community support organization. Well, the Mother Teresa of the Ukulele has teamed up with Takimine Guitars to produce a new uke aimed at the mass market. (Update: MIGM informs us that the uke is not a "signature" model, a designation that applies only to Jake's Kamaka model. It's officially being referred to as the "MIGM Ukulele.")

As one would expect, Shimabukuro wanted the new uke to be a real player, but affordable to as many people as possible (especially kids). A quick glance at the press shot of the uke shows some unexpected details in an entry-level instrument, notably the long neck (14 frets to the body) and extended fretboard (19 frets altogether!).

The MIGM uke will play a key role in supporting “Four Strings for Kids,” a program dedicated to making the ukulele available to children all over the world. A portion of the online only sales of the uke will go to support MIGM's outreach programs.

It's scheduled to go on sale early 2010. Link