This variant of the older Hawaiian ukulele is noted by a higher and thinner sound and an open back,[1] and is often strummed much faster.

The two middle courses are tuned an octave higher than they would be on a normal ukulele, and fishing line is used for the strings.

The body (including the head and neck) is usually carved from a single piece of wood, with a wide conical hole bored through the middle.

The hole is topped with a thin piece of wood, on which the bridge sits, so the instrument works rather like a wood-topped banjo.

More recently, it has been used as the lead instrument in the Arrested Development theme tune, played by George Doering.