About Mélopée
Mélopée (Melopee) is a travel guitar and ukulele brand created by french luthier Sébastien Berlinet
Melopee workshop is located in Toulouse, France.
As a engineer, musician, singer and traveller, Sébastien constantly search for the best carry-on sized instrument.
You better be warned : Ukulele is a BIG deal here!
I received my ukulele a week ago, it was immediate, literally addicted!It is magnificent, the finish is perfect, the handling is obvious, it sounds wonderful…The collaboration with Sébastien was excellent,The man of the art is patient, pedagogical, attentive, thank you Sébastien!Dennis
Becoming an apprentice luthier is possible in the Mélopée workshop! An intensive course, masterfully orchestrated by Sébastien, to create a unique yukulele together. An extraordinary experience!
Violin making course followed in February 2025.I'm not a great musician or really handy, but I managed to build a ukulele that I'm proud of today! Because it looks beautiful and sounds incredible. Thanks to Sébastien, very competent, pedagogical and patient! I learned a lot, a very nice discovery.And then what a pleasure to play on a personalized ukulele of this quality!
Great welcome and great job. I took my Ubass in for service and string replacement.Sébastien is super nice and these ukuleles are magnificent.
Violin making course (traditional ukulele) carried out in November 2024 with Sébastien.The experience turned out to be memorable, intense and enriching!Having very little DIY experience, I was a little apprehensive. The challenge was indeed present but Sébastien was able to adapt perfectly and offer the necessary help and explanations so that everything went as smoothly as possible.We come away with a better understanding of the instrument and the world of violin making. We also become better aware of all the details and meticulousness necessary to produce an instrument.On the other hand, the course is also the opportunity to leave with a great instrument, built with your own hands and completely unique (in my case, a tenor ukulele in mahogany and exotic ebony).Whether it is sound, playability or aesthetics, the instrument has nothing to be ashamed of compared to other high-end instruments: it is a real pleasure and a real pride to play on an instrument of this quality designed by his own hands.
I took great pleasure in making such a beautiful object with my own hands. Thanks to Sébastien for his mastery, his perfect knowledge and his patience. I recommend everyone to have such an experience. And what's more, I now have a Ukulele that is not only beautiful, but also has exceptional sound quality. Thank you Mélopée!
I ordered a Kaïkoura for my daughter, with a very boring engraving. As usual, Sébastien was exemplary: patient, understanding, kind and very competent. The instrument is perfect and I'm the best daddy in the world. Well worth 5 stars. My only regret is that I'm not a musician myself to buy another one. 😀
I LOVED it! Sebastien supported us perfectly to create a superb instrument. This learning was very enriching. I'm already thinking about my next creation at Mélopée.
Excellent internship with Sebastien. Kind, professional and accessible in all situations. It was a pleasure to start the year by making this magnificent instrument. Starting from no particular violin-making skills and being more of a Sunday handyman, it was a success thanks to him. Thanks again!!!
Very good time with Sebastien and the interns! The environment is nice (the other luthiers work nearby... we hear guitar sounds all day long) and Sebastien is very educational, pleasant, full of information, friendly... the instrument made (the shape is already ready but the fretwork, the moldings, the resonance box, the head, the adjustments... everything is done during the course) is of very good quality!
"I had the chance to take part in a violin making course where I built my own ukulele, and I can only recommend this experience!There is absolutely no need to know music or be an experienced DIYer to fully benefit from this course. Sébastien is very educational. He knows how to make each step accessible and understandable, and he supports us with patience and kindness throughout the process. Thanks to his valuable advice and his personalized follow-up, I was able to create a magnificent ukulele, exactly as I imagined it, while learning a lot about woodworking, the craft of luthier, and the key elements to design an instrument that sounds GOOD.I am really delighted with the end result and the enriching journey of this internship. It’s a unique experience that I recommend to everyone. You will leave with a superb instrument that you built with your own hands and an unforgettable memory!
Intensive training but the result is worthy of our efforts. Sébastien brings us his knowledge, kindly monitors our sometimes clumsy gestures, corrects our small errors so that in the end our ukulele is not only magnificent but produces a sound that has nothing to do (or rather to hear) with my low ukulele of range. And great pride in having created this beautiful instrument.
Just returned from the violin making course with Sébastien and truly delighted! Very warm welcome and relaxed atmosphere. Very educational, Sébastien supports us very well in all the stages of manufacturing with lots of explanations and very useful advice. The result is well above my expectations: very beautiful travel ukulele, ultra-handy and with a very accurate and warm sound at the same time. I love it. Thank you for everything and see you soon!
Excellent course to discover the world of violin making. Sébastien is very pedagogical and always keeps a kind look when we tackle an important stage on the instrument.You don't need to be a DIY specialist to end up leaving with your ukulele that will sound wonderful.
I recently received my walnut tenor ukulele with low G string.From design to construction, this ukulele is excellent in every way. Both in terms of aesthetics and sound, the sound is warm, it is quite versatile both in fingerstyle and in strumming.What a pleasure to finally be able to play on a real instrument!I thank Sébastien for his work and his availability for responding to all my requests.
I loved doing this violin making course with Sébastien.I was apprehensive because I'm not very handy, but the handling of tools and machines is very well explained to us, and we are accompanied at each step without risk of making a mistake.I learned about working with wood and metal, but also how a ukulele works.It's truly a very enriching experience and what's more, we leave with an exceptional personalized instrument!Thank you Sébastien!
I'm in love again. THANK YOU Sebastien for building this wonderful ukulele. It looks stunning, plays easily and sounds simply great. Clear highs with a warm fundamental tone. I was able to follow the creation process with great communication with Sebastien and was looking forward to its arrival like Christmas, no Christmas and Easter together. THANK YOU Norbert www.ukulele-bewegt.de
After a visit to Sébastien's workshop in April 2023 and a test which finally convinced me to place an order, I have been the happy owner of a resonator ukulele since Christmas 2023.The result of numerous exchanges, my all-mahogany ukulele sounds wonderful.The thickness of the neck combined with the fluorocarbon strings (which I discovered on this occasion) benefits the playing. No need to torture the strings to project sound. On the contrary, a light playing allows you to get out of the clear sound well highlighted by the resonator which gives a bit of a "bayou blues" feel.And then... what a look!!!On the other hand, if you hesitate to take, or not, the amplification option: take it!!!I made the choice not to amplify my uku and this is now my only tiny little regret.After two months of playing, I'm happy to have taken the plunge and the sessions with my gaming colleagues are a real pleasure.To conclude :Ukulele Melopee,to listen to it is to succumb,to try it is to adopt it !Thank you Sébastien for this ukulele!
Sebastien, the luthier behind the Mélopée brand, made THE ukulele I was waiting for!He was patient with questions and uncertainties and gave excellent advice!Thanks to him I have a uke with a clear but round sound in the bass!Add to its sound qualities the beauty, top in colorful padauk and back/side in exotic ebony, gold/amber Gotoh tuner, Fremont Soloist string, and so on…All left-handed.Sebastien responded to all my requests and I really thank him for the quality of his work.A pure marvel!You want a ukulele that suits you, contact them before spending more than €800 for a brand that will not have the same “soul” and certainly not the same quality!Good day.
Great ukulele making internship experience.To do if you like wood, tinkering, or simply instruments.We leave with our instrument, which differentiates it from all those you can buy. It won't have sounded yet before it will already have a story.Thanks Seb.
What pleasure and satisfaction it is to make a musical instrument.Sébastien is perfect in the role of ukulele master 😊👍I haven't finished recommending these courses, they're the bestI'll leave you I have to learn the ukulele 😁🤘
I just received my beautiful resonator tenor ukulele.What to say?The instrument first of all: it is made of flamed European walnut, standard cone and cone cover in brass finish which blends well with the essence of the wood.The finish is nickel, the varnish just shiny enough to highlight the grain and flame of the wood without “stinging” the eyes; Goto tuners are very precise and smooth.The neck is easy to play, not very thick and with little action required on the fingerboard. The sound is clear and punchy at the same time, with a vintage, somewhat 'gramophone' coloring. I don't regret the low G string which allows you to play a balanced finger picking bass to accompany vocals on old jazz standards. Awesome !!A word about The luthier now: Sébastien was very attentive to my specifications and wishes, and gave good advice. He kept me informed and asked for my opinion at different stages of the manufacturing of the uke with supporting photos and a short video once the uke was finished before sending. So I had the chance and the feeling of being really involved in the realization of my project.I must point out that my order was a little unusual because it is Sébastien's first tenor uke with a low G resonator, up until now he has been doing more Concert/high G, which constituted a new challenge for him, a challenge he took on with enthusiasm, tenacity and, ultimately, success.His infectious passion and attention to detail are reflected in his creation which completely meets my expectations.And then, ''last but not least'', it is still a much more enriching experience than entrusting to a talented and friendly French craftsman the creation of the instrument which will accompany me happily for years , rather than buying a mass-produced uke on the internet or in a store on the other side of the world!!Good luck to you Sébastien and long life to MélopéeGood musicallyThierry
Order a Kaikoura Ukulele, our new travel companion. Thank you Sébastien for being so responsive and present throughout the manufacturing process. Thank you for your advice and your generosity. Your work is magnificent and it was so cool to work with you on this beautiful birthday project ✨ see you soon
I made my “kaïkoura” ukulele at Mélopée and it was a great experience 😊I didn't have any knowledge of violin making or DIY skills, but with Sébastien's great explanations and kindness, everything went well!What satisfaction and pride to come home with an object created by our little hands.Now all I have to do is learn how to play it 😉
I loved Sébastien’s violin making course! I created my "kaïkoura" ukulele in 1 and a half days and it was really great.I had never touched violin making before, Sébastien's explanations are very clear, he is extremely patient and does everything to put you at ease throughout the course.At the start of the course, I was a little “afraid” of not being up to par, but Sébastien makes sure that everyone can succeed on their ukulele!I liked being able to choose the wood species for my ukulele and also the vinyl which brings a nice touch of originality! In short, don’t hesitate any longer, it was great 😉
Violin making course: a great experience making a ukulele, under the excellent advice of Sébastien. Magnificent handmade instruments that are truly unique.Thank you Sébastien!
I was lucky enough to receive an internship at Mélopée with Sébastien as a gift! Passionate about music, I also began to be interested in woodworking. I couldn't dream of anything better than making a musical instrument with this course to make your own Ukulele! During these 2 and a half fairly intense days (~20 hours in total), we cover all the techniques, we handle all the manual tools and machines for working with wood, each time with a very clear explanation, a demonstration if necessary, and a quality control from Sébastien who asks for a few corrections at each stage to ensure that the instrument will be perfect. The final sandings with a micrometer allow the instrument to be fine-tuned! I'm won over, I have a magnificent Ukulele that sounds great, and I've learned lots of things! Obviously I recommend! THANKS ! 🙂
I strongly recommend the course offered by Sébastien to make his instrument. Great place, great materials and Sébastien accompanies you throughout this course to leave tired with a smile and with your instrument.
How does a "piece of wood" become a "piece of us"?! Magnificent gift received for my 40th birthday!! The surprise was such, and the opportunity so unique, that I didn't want to miss it! So the first morning, despite a warm welcome, I still had the pressure because I hesitated, for fear of regretting bad choices for life, while Sébastien needed us to move forward in decision-making because he knows the number of small steps to explain to all of us and then to implement each of us in turn to achieve our goals! But what an end! After hours of work, which fortunately we don't see pass, between concentration in a relaxed atmosphere and the blagounettes of the group, and the various fears all along the way, where the fear of doing wrong grows as much as the instrument takes shape, and after the ordeal of the "zipper" (humor, you will understand ;-)), what relief, what intense joy when the neck fits perfectly on the ukulele box!! Then when he utters his first cry: but what emotion! Me who was afraid of not liking it "And if it was too sharp? Too much? Too much that?" I was very moved by finding it as beautiful to hear as to watch :-D!So you who are hesitating, don't worry if you're not a handyman, he explains everything step by step so much (this is also why it takes time) that you'll get there too ;-)! And for the clumsy, rest assured: he has more than one trick up his sleeve to catch up with all the small hazards of the workshop! If you are a beginner, you will be even more motivated to practice your new instrument because believe me, when you hear it sound for the first time in the hands of Sébastien, you will measure the extent of the possibilities!And if you too are hesitant, you may be, like me, part of the stats of his most painful customers, nevertheless he will take the time to answer your questions and guide you in your choices. Just remember to ask for paid options well in advance of the course and know that it is an intense experience with busy days. But for me, who is a perfectionist, I much prefer not to have taken any breaks and to have a beautiful instrument, really finished, well finished and well regulated, which is so "real", that it's disturbing to say to oneself "it's I who made it"! And even if I didn't do absolutely 100% of the steps myself, I know that with more time and Sébastien's advice I would have succeeded :-)Idea for improvement: put mosquito nets on the windows 😉
This violin making course with Sébastien was a great experience.2 and a half busy days but the result is beyond my expectations. My Ukulele is MAGNIFICENTNo need to be particularly handy, just careful and it does it.The group of 4 was very nice too.In short: I highly recommendThank you very much Sébastien for this great internship.
Very satisfied with my new "KAIKOURA" resonator, impeccable finish, powerful sound. Loads of attractive little details. I took the option of the handmade resonator, the sound is quite colorful banjo. The touch of the fingers is quite soft.Really very nice work.
Very good address!I advise you to follow the tailor-made Ukulele manufacturing course with Sébastien, it is a fascinating and very instructive experience.Workshop work is done in excellent conditions, both in terms of safety and education.Everyone comes out with the fruits of their labor, it's really great.G.
No need to be a professional musician or luthier to benefit from a ukulele making course. I had the chance to make my own (Kaikoura travel model), and it turned out great!The course is intense and very interesting. Everything being in the making, we are amazed at every moment in the evolution of the manufacturing. Sébastien accompanies us every step of the way, and I thank him for his patience and his transmission. The desire to do well is mutual, and nothing is left to neglect.More than an instrument in hand (and of good quality), I leave this course with lots of good memories.If you are curious, and a lover of the ukulele, I highly recommend this course!
Custom made concert ukulele.I am delighted. Already the approach is excellent: choose the type of wood according to the desired sound, the wooden panel itself, the mechanics, the finishes... with the expert advice of Sébastien.Now that I have the instrument in hand, I can say that it conforms to what I was looking for. The finish is impeccable and the sound balanced as I wanted. And I find it immediate to grip (I have threeyears of practice)Make no mistake: this is not by chance. Sébastien was able to guide my choices according to expectations and above all there is his mastery as a luthier during the manufacture of the instrument!Finally, if you have to talk about money: here is a ☝️ custom-made ukulele, of very good quality. Is it competitive with such respected brands as (among others) Anuenue, Pono, Kanîlea, Koaloha? Personally, I have no doubts … either for an equal price, the service is much higher, or for an equivalent service you would have to pay 30% more at the very least.And I'm not talking about the satisfaction of helping national crafts (and local in my case)Thank you Sébastien, now it's my turn to work hard 😛, no more excuses
Great violin making internship experience! Sébastien places himself at the level of his interlocutors and listens to everyone.I come away with a rich experience, a unique ukulele (just right and very beautiful) and above all an incredible desire to start practicing.
Every Melopee Ukulele comes with :
– All solid construction
– Appropriate thickness and braces work depending on wood
– High quality supplies : Tonewoods, Tuning pegs, 18% nickel-silver fretwire, Bone nut & saddle, Fluorocarbon strings…
– Pro fretting and setup job for great comfort and playability
Custom Traditionnal Ukulele
Unique High End Ukulele handcrafted by luthier Sébastien Berlinet in France.
Traditionnal Ukulele is the most Versatile Ukulele you can find.
In one single strum, everything pops to you : projection, balance, sustain, wood warmth and depth…
Affichage de 5–8 sur 12 résultats
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Ukulélé Mélopée Traditionnel Amarante (Purple Heart)
710,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Traditionnel Cedar Bossé flammé (Flamed Guarea)
860,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Traditionnel Érable Européen flammé (Flamed Maple)
780,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Traditionnel Limba (Korina)
710,00€ Sélectionner les options
Custom Traditionnal Resonator Ukulele
Affichage de 5–8 sur 8 résultats
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Ukulélé Mélopée Traditionnel Resonator Frêne Ondé (Flamed Ash)
900,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Traditionnel Resonator Noyer
810,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Traditionnel Resonator Noyer
810,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Traditionnel Resonator Padouk
810,00€ Sélectionner les options
Custom Travel Ukulele (Banjolele)
Unique High End Travel Ukulele handcrafted by luthier Sébastien Berlinet in France.
The Kaïkoura model is a travel ukulele inspired by tahitian traditional instruments.
Its all solid, compact and vintage design combines great comfort and playability with suprisingly loud projection.
Loud, twangy and bright sound somewhere between a Gramophone and a Banjolele (Banjo uke).
Affichage de 5–8 sur 14 résultats
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Ukulélé Mélopée Kaïkoura Amarante/Erable flammé
425,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Kaïkoura Erable/Sapele flammé
425,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Kaïkoura Limba/Noyer
425,00€ Sélectionner les options -
Ukulélé Mélopée Kaïkoura Limba/Padouk Barriolé
435,00€ Sélectionner les options
Custom Travel Ukulele (Banjolele)
Affichage de 5–6 sur 6 résultats
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