Ukulele

Behold the basic model Martin ukulele – one of the most standard of ukes – and yet extremely classy and professional in all of the ways that matter.    It has a solid mahogany top, back, sides, neck, including the front of the headstock.   Features include a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard (displaying some exceptionally pretty grain) and Brazilian bridge; having four “machine” tuners (also called “patent pegs”) that have metal clad shafts (not to brag or anything) and black buttons that could be wood, or Bakelite or plastic (celluloid).

In the annals of C F Martin ukulele history the Model 3K is just one model below the lauded and applauded fancy inlaid 5K.    This ukulele has the “C F Martin & Co., Nazareth, PA” pressure stamp on the back of the neck, but it also has machine tuners.  Based on what we know about the time period in which the script Martin headstock logo was transitioned (in late 1931), we deduce that this was made circa 1930.   A handsome and fine sounding thing it is, too.  

This extremely fine, beautifully made instrument has a Honduran mahogany body and neck with a satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish, East Indian rosewood fretboard and veneer, traditional single-point headstock and geared tuning pegs.  It also sounds absolutely amazing.

The Martin List Price is $499

one that decidedly underclass Even Smaller Gray Riding Hood (a cousin of the economically privileged one) took with her on her own walks through the woods to bring victuals to her grandma.  It has no serial number (it may have once had a number on the brace that underlies the end of the fingerboard but if so somebody has tried to obliterate it with marker and it is extremely difficult to read).  Fear not, we have assigned it #ISI-2020 just like Ms. Riding Hood’s vision.

This is a very attractive mandolin-banjo, and, we have to say, rather unusual. This instrument has a very playable neck - and it is quite loud.  Finding a resonator back, Tubaphone-tone-ring equipped Professional quality (it’s gotta be, since that’s what it’s called) mandolin-banjo is not something that happens every day around here.   Mandolin-banjo players arise – your ride is here!  

The Martin List Price is $499

Prewar ukulele-banjos are becoming harder to find nowadays.  This playable 4-string tiny instrument with 16 brackets, nuts and shoes has a period or original skin head, an old bridge with ebony "no tip" section, the tailpiece is a newer "Grover Patent."  This banjo has its original skin head which gives it a very traditional woody old time sound. THIS WAS $1025 BUT IS NOW ON SALE!

A solid maple neck and Australian pine top are combined with a molded body and fretboard creating a full, bright tone, unmatched at this price. The tenor FLUKE has the same body size as the concert but has a scale length that is 1 1/2 inches longer. Like the concert, the tenor easily accommodates GCEA tuning but can also handle the lower DGBE tuning (high D). Both sizes can be ordered in a variety of colors and designs as well as with pickup options. All Fluke models come standard with Aquila strings. Proudly made in the USA!

Intermediate size between the standard and tenor. Has a fuller tone, while retaining the ease of the smaller standard. Also known as an Alto. Overall length: 23-1/2"Scale length: 15"Total # frets: 16Frets to the body: 12

There are few ukes that are better and more original sounding than a Kamaka 6-string HF-36 tenor.  Y'see, two of the four strings are doubled, an octave apart, like a 12-string guitar.  This gives the instrument tremendous volume and projection power.   It also sets it apart from the sound of all other ukuleles you will ever hear.  For this reason alone it is something you should seriously consider.  

There are few ukes that are better and more original sounding than a Kamaka 6-string HF-36 tenor. Y'see, two of the four strings are doubled, an octave apart, like a 12-string guitar. This gives the instrument tremendous volume and projection power. It also sets it apart from the sound of all other ukuleles you will ever hear. For this reason alone it is something you should seriously consider.

Kamaka's most popular ukulele. Also known as a Soprano.
Overall length: 20-1/8"
Scale length: 13-9/16"
Total # frets: 16
Frets to the body: 12