C. F. Martin Style 3 Soprano Ukulele, c. 1939, original black chipboard case.

C. F. Martin Style 3 Model Soprano Ukulele, c. 1939, made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, Mahogany body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black chipboard case.

This is a nice playing and sounding Martin Style 3 ukulele from the later 1930s, by which point very few of these fancier grade ukes were being built. The Style 3 was offered in mahogany or Koa (as the Model 3K) as the original top of the line Martin ukulele until the advent of the pearl-trimmed Model 5-K in 1923. This Style 3 was still a fancy and fairly expensive ukulele when it was built even in this later pre-war period, and one of the finest ever made to this day.

Martin's Style 3 ukuleles have some unique decorative features that stand out from the crowd. These include a celluloid ornament at the base of the body and the multiple celluloid center stripe down the center of the fingerboard. The body is 7-ply bound front and 3-ply back with a multi-ply celluloid soundhole ring; the nut and saddle are bone. After 1936 larger slotted pearl diamonds (the same as used on guitars) were inlaid as position markers in place of the smaller style unslotted diamonds seen before. In 1934 the small decal logo was added to the front of the headstock and the stamp on the rear deleted; together these features date this particular uke to period between 1936 and the mid-1940s. This one is finished in 1930s sprayed lacquer as opposed to the earlier 1920s examples done in varnish.

The tuners on this example are recent re-issues of the 1920s metal shaft Grover friction pegs with a flanged shaft over the button; they are not original but very appropriate and work well. The original bar frets remain in excellent condition. The 3M listed at $25.00 in the mid-late 1930's which was quite expensive for a uke; a pretty good guitar could be had for that price! This model sold in much smaller quantities than the less expensive Style 0's and 1's and is far rarer today. This is a lovely example from the model's less popular period and still a wonderful player's instrument by any standard.

Overall length is 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.), 6 3/8 in. (16.2 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 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/16 in. (36 mm.).

This is a decently well preserved uke overall, 85+ or so years old and showing only fairly light playwear. There are some small dings, scratches, chips and dents and the finish has checked broadly over much of the instrument. There are some deeper check lines on the headstock that at first glance look like cracks, but these are only in the finish, not the wood. There is a bit of chipping around the tuner barrels, as noted the tuners are not original.

There is a sealed grain split to the top running back from the treble end of the bridge and a small bash mark with indented wood on the treble side just below the waist; neither has any added finish. Apart from these the uke is crack free. It plays and sounds excellent with the typical superb Martin tone, rich and incisive at the same time. This is a very attractive uke, an unusual variation of this well-respected model and a superb player's instrument. It resides in the still-functional original chipboard case with the owner's name written inside the lid, with some old 1950s "Islander" Nylon strings in the original packets. Very Good + Condition.