Founded by luthier Michael Rock on Maui, Hawaii, in 1992 Mele now gets a lot of the production work done in the Philippines though some is still done in Hawaii. Their Ukuleles are predominantly koa or mahogany and the double epaulette sound hole which they call "Double Puka", is one of their signature themes on the better models. They make all scales except Sopranino including the intermediate long neck ones, Taropatches, Lili'us and I have seen a custom double puka Baritone Bass.
For a while Mele branded their mahogany Ukuleles Braddah, but now they call all of them Mele (I have read the change came about in 2003?)
For a while Mele had a range of predominantly Mexican rosewood and spruce top Ukuleles made in Mexico, (and finished in Hawaii, in the same way as the Philippine ones are), that also carried the label Kalia as well as Mele
Mele have a budget, (for Mele), line of Ukuleles they brand as Hula Ukes, (a take on a commonly used name, but here the Ukes is always included as part of the logo), these are produced in the Far East, I'm not sure where but I suspect China. They say the brand was started in 2005 and though the range was fairly limited to start with it now has Sopranos Concerts and Tenors plus Lili'us and Taropatches
Mele was also a brand name for one of the Ukuleles Buegeliesen & Jacobson distributed in the 1920's and 30's. lots of people made them but none of them was this Mele
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