Extremely Rare Jonah Kumalae Hawaiian Solid Koa Soprano Ukulele with Cigar Label

Extremely Rare Jonah Kumalae Hawaiian Solid Koa Soprano Ukulele with Cigar Label

I am selling an extremely rare solid koa Hawaiian made Kumalae soprano ukulele with a cigar label on the base that dates back more than a century.

The instrument is quite beautiful and appears to be all original: bridge, tuners, headstock label, internal label, extremely rare cigar label and finish. Perhaps the nut is a replacement. It is in playable condition.

As you can see, rather than the usual 1915 label on the headstock, there is the earlier blue label. The internal label is there (unfortunately it has an earlier owner’s name on it), and there’s the extremely rare cigar label on the base of the instrument.

The strings are OASIS fluorocarbons.

Due to its age, it’s not without its flaws. They should be considered. There are at least three glued and stable cracks on the front and back of the instrument as well as the scuffs and booboos that you’d expect to find on such an ancient piece.

This handmade instrument is quite playable as well as very rare and collectable.

According to an article written by SANDOR NAGYSZALANCZY in the Summer 2022 issue of the online magazine “Ukulele”:

Like most Hawaiian ukes made during this period, the bodies of Kumalae ukuleles were egg-shell thin and had slightly arched backs. Because they were individually handmade, no two bodies are exactly alike. Metal frets were set directly into the necks; no applied fingerboards. All instruments were finished in French polished shellac. Friction wood pegs came standard, but celluloid or mechanical tuners could be fitted for an additional cost.

Jonah Kumalae, who began making ukuleles in earnest in 1911, passed away in 1940 and the company ceased production then.

Please research this vintage Kumalae solid koa Hawaiian made ukulele carefully, study the photos, and ask any questions before purchasing.

Note: We ship to the lower 48 states only.