Ukulele Soprano Martin Style 3K (Koa) 1927-1929

This Martin Style 3 Koa soprano ukulele, produced between 1927 and 1929, is part of a key moment in American and Hawaiian musical history.

The ukulele's rise in popularity began in Hawaii in the 1880s, derived from the Portuguese braguinha, and was popularized in particular at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, where Hawaiian music won over mainland audiences.

This success transformed the ukulele into a true cultural phenomenon in the United States, carried by an exotic wave that grew during the 1920s, when the “Jazz Age” was in full swing.

Impressed by this emerging demand, C.F. Martin & Co., a luthier established in Pennsylvania since 1833, began manufacturing ukuleles in January 1916, under the leadership of Frank Henry Martin, grandson of the founder.

Initially, Martin offered three mahogany models (Styles 1, 2, and 3), with Style 3 distinguished by its intricate ornamentation, featuring seven purfling lines and bone inlays, starting in 1918.

In October 1917, Martin produced the first six koa ukuleles for Southern California Music (SoCal), a major distributor on the US West Coast.

No other koa models were manufactured in 1918.

It was not until 1919 that Martin officially introduced the koa models under the designation “K.”

The following decade marked a peak in activity for Martin, which produced more than 14,000 ukuleles in 1926, representing 63% of its total production, reflecting massive popularity.

In response to this demand, the factory expanded in 1925 and a second floor was built in 1927, just before the Great Depression slowed down the market.

Among these rare instruments, only 366 Style 3K koa ukuleles were made between 1927 and 1929, making them highly sought-after and legendary pieces today.

During the 1920s and 1930s, artists never missed an opportunity to appear with a ukulele in their hands. Around 1935, actress and singer Frances Langford (1913-2005) posed with a very rare Martin Concert Style 3 ukulele.

In short, this 1927-1929 Martin Style 3K (Koa) ukulele embodies the golden age of the ukulele in the United States, combining the elegance of solid koa with a rich and powerful sound. Rare and prestigious, it is both a valuable historical artifact and an exceptional instrument for passionate musicians and collectors.

Technical specifications:

• Top: Koa
• Back: Koa
• Sides: Koa
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Nut width: 36 mm
• Radius: Flat
• Frets: 17 frets
• Scale length: 13.6" (34.7 mm)
• Profile: Slim C
• Country of manufacture: United States
• Year: 1927-1929
• Finish: Natural
• Decorations: Binding around the table and soundhole / Central binding on the fingerboard / White mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlays
• Details: Apocryphal repair to the back with varnish touch-up / In its modern case

Like all our instruments, this ukulele has been carefully adjusted.

As a result, it is very comfortable to play.

The sound of this ukulele is warm, clear, and resonant thanks to the koa wood: surprising bass tones for a ukulele, rich and charming mids, and soft highs.

This harmonic richness, combined with generous resonance and impressive projection, makes it perfect for both solo playing and accompaniment.

The attacks are full-bodied and percussive, nuanced with a refined softness depending on the intensity of the playing.

Each note reveals a depth rare for an instrument of this size, making this ukulele a masterpiece of sound and visual appeal.

An exceptional instrument, from a golden age of Martin lutherie, combining tradition, innovation, and prestige, ideal for collectors and performing artists.