Iberê Ukulele

Luthier Iberê Lima Silva, Recife Brazil

Where he started

Iberê is a self-taught luthier whose aspirations to become a skilled woodworker began at a very young age, largely influenced by the extensive knowledge he gained from his father. His father possessed a vast understanding of the different timbers commonly used in the luthiery world. Although his father's dream was to become a luthier himself, various circumstances prevented him from fulfilling this aspiration.

It was not until Iberê made the decisive choice in 2015 to pursue this dream, he built his very first instrument, an Ukulele. With his musical talent as a professional pianist, combined with the knowledge he acquired about instrument building, Iberê has developed the ability to craft beautifully resonant ukuleles that bring joy to all.

…ukulele is my passion.

“I have always worked as a local pianist, making arrangements for various bands and also working as a music producer. I am a multi-instrumentalist, although the piano is my main instrument, the ukulele is my passion.”

“There is no point in having the best tools and techniques if the material used is of low quality…”

With his father’s early influences, it isn’t a surprise that Iberê is extremely passionate about choosing the materials he uses for the build. This part of the process is what he believes is the most important step, once he has selected the timbers, he already has an idea of the final sound result of the instrument.

“There is no point in having the best tools and techniques if the material used is of low quality. Choosing the materials is the stage where I visualise the final product. I believe using high-quality materials tend to produce excellent sound results.”

We asked Iberê what has been his biggest lessons and challenges so far?

“One of my biggest lessons is to be patient with the building process. Haste is always the enemy of perfection. One of the biggest challenges is maintaining the quality of the instruments, since I work alone, without help from other people.”

Although working alone has presented some of his biggest challenges, it has also proven to be one of his greatest strengths. Being a musician not only enhances his skills but also gives him a finely tuned ear for tone, which is something he takes great pride in. All of his customers have reported being 100% satisfied with their instruments, and he hopes to continue providing exceptional service for many years to come.