A musician friend wanted a first guitar for her 2 year old daughter, so I recommended a uke. This soprano uke is built on a Martin plan and is constructed of monkey pod and sitka spruce. I got the monkey pod on the big island of Hawaii years back when Judy and I visited. It has been drying in my shop since then. The bridge, nut and saddle are ebony and the fretboard is ebonized hard maple. Because durability was of major concern, I opted for the plastic binding and pick guard. The finish is french polish.