Very Vintage Martin Style 1 Soprano Ukulele 1920s

Very Vintage Martin Style 1 Soprano Ukulele 1920s

This is a VERY vintage C. F. Martin Style 1 Model Soprano Ukulele as evidenced by the wooden tuning pegs (which Martin stopped using in 1927), the Martin stamp on the back of the headstock, and the absence of a decal on the front of the headstock. It dates back to the 1920s and was made in Nazareth, PA.

A note on the tuning pegs. These pegs don’t appear to be original, so I presume the original wooden pegs were replaced at some point with these wooden tuning pegs. There is no sign that there was ever any other type of tuning peg on this uke.

Overall length is 20 5/8 in. (52.4 cm.), 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 5/16 in. (5.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 5/8 in. (346 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/8 in. (35 mm.).

This nearly 100-year-old ukulele shows the expected scrapes, dings, and boo-boos but nothing dramatic. There’s at least one stable hairline crack on the back.

An oddity to consider is that the stamp within the sound hole is almost impossible to see, but it does appear to be there. Take a close look at the attached photos and you’ll see it (maybe). At first I thought that the back had been replaced, but there’s no evidence of that; however, if you have any qualms at all, please do not purchase this instrument.

With that said, this vintage Martin soprano ukulele plays very well, the action is good, and it has the vintage Martin sound that Martin enthusiasts look for. It is very solid and stable and beautiful, I see no heavy wear, and is playable as is.

Please research this vintage Martin ukulele,  carefully study the photos, and ask all questions before purchasing.

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