Kumalae Vintage Hawaiian Koa Soprano Ukulele

Vintage Kumalae Hawaiian Solid Koa Soprano Ukulele

I am selling a vintage solid koa Kumalae soprano ukulele that was made in Hawaii and dates back almost a century.

The instrument is quite beautiful and appears to be all original: bridge, nut, tuners, and finish. I did not change the strings.

Due to its age, it’s not without its minor flaws. It has a slight indentation on the lower front and 2 small cracks on the front as well. There is also a crack in the upper rear. Please study the photos. With that said, this handmade instrument is quite playable as well as quite 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 passed away in 1940 and the company ceased production then. This would make this ukulele at minimum 85 years old although likely older since Jonah Kumalae began making ukuleles in earnest in 1911.

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

Note: We ship to the lower 48 states only.