Koa Soprano Ukulele (unlabelled) , c. 1925

Koa Model Soprano Ukulele (unlabelled), c. 1925, possibly Chicago.

It's not too often we find an instrument that leaves us baffled as to its origins, but this is one. This beautiful high-grade ukulele bears no maker or seller's marks, and the clues that often point to a specific builder are a mixed bag here. It is definitely mainland made, and based on the general layout likely dates to the early or mid 1920s. The probable suspects are either one of several Chicago factories or Oscar Schmidt in Jersey City, but the uke's features do not match any of these makers known work exactly.

The fairly narrow waisted body is made of dramatically grained koa wood, elaborately trimmed in multiple celluloid binding layers on the top back and sides. The back and the end of the body have a central multiply strip as well. The soundhole edge is bound and there are two 3-ply rings around it; at the base of the top is a Celluloid ornament directly inspired by that used on the Martin Style 3. The lower soundhole position and general body shape resemble some ukes built by Lyon & Healy in the later 1910s and early '20s but the appointments are not like any of their cataloged instruments.

The fairly slim one-piece mahogany neck has a more guitar-like soft "V" profile with a triple-bound ebonized fingerboard with a heart shaped end, graced by some lovely and delicate shaped pearl inlay. The headstock has a rather Martin-inspired shape and is surprisingly plain, fitted with Champion banjo style friction tuners.

While we can't say WHO made it this is a very well made high-grade uke, which would have likely commanded a price between $20 and $30 when new, definitely at the high end of the market. In the first uke craze period just after WWI into the mid-20s huge numbers of ukes were built on the mainland, but the vast majority were budget-priced instruments. This is a rare and really superior piece as well as a very good playing and sounding instrument. While oddly anonymous, this is one of the nicest of "non-Martin" ukuleles we have seen a super example of an high-grade early "mainland" uke with a richer and more authentic tone than many.

Overall length is 20 5/8 in. (52.4 cm.), 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 5/8 in. (346 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/32 in. (33 mm.).

Overall this uke shows general wear and one notable repair, a crack running through the treble side of the headstock from the base to the tip through the highest string tuning peg. Ukes rarely get headstock repairs, but this is how they usually happen; the instrument was probably dropped on the projecting tuning peg ages ago, splitting the wood on the grain line. This has been solidly but visibly sealed up with no added finish but pegged through the sides of the headstock, a very old method likely indicating this was done when the uke was fairly new.

Apart from this the instrument shows one small patched impact mark to the upper side off the back edge above the center seam but no cracks to the top or back. The thin original lacquer finish is has scuffs, dings and dents overall and is more heavily worn through to the wood in spots on the back of the neck, sides of the body and edges of the headstock. Additionally the top has some light overfinish above the soundhole where strumming wore through to the wood long ago, with a bit of spotting from this up the upper bass bout.

Someone got a lot of use out of this uke a century or so ago, and although it shows noticeable wear and repair it remains a really lovely and unusual piece, the only one like it we have ever seen. The uke is a very good player with a comfortable action and a very sweet but well-defined tone, really one of the nicest non-Martin ukuleles we have ever had. It resides in a period (probably original) mid-line hardshell case. Overall Very Good Condition.