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Ukulele

J
11 years ago
AI Appraisal
Description

CF Martin & Company Sporano Ukulele.

Category Music and Music Instruments
Distinguishing marks CF Martin & Co decal on front of headstock. CF Martin & Co stamp visible through sound hole. Body and sound hole inlaid trim. T frets (17)
Condition Good
Size and dimensions of this item overall length 21 inches
Date Period 1930s
History My father, a young naval officer in California, purchased this instrument in the early 1940s. It has been well cared for. A few minor nicks and wear on the back of the fret board as shown in pictures. No cracks or stress lines. Plays beautifully. Manufacturer decal on front of headstock and stamp visible through the sound hole.
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Submitted by fishwhacker

I am interested in the ukulele. It is gorgeous. If you could email me at [email protected] I'd love to talk about it.

Submitted by Phoenixguy1954

MARTIN STYLE 3-M SOPRANO UKULELE (1930's)
 mahogany construction, 17-fret ebony fingerboard, pearl slotted diamond inlays and ivoroid-b-i-b-i purfling down center of fingerboard, 1-7/16" nut width, ~13-5/8" scale, mahogany bridge with bone saddle, ivoroid-bound body with 6-ply top purfling, four mechanical friction tuners with ivoroid buttons, ivoroid "pendaloque" inlay at end of top, "C.F. MARTIN & CO. / NAZARETH, PA." hot stamp inside back, on consignment, with period black SSC   Ok this is what I think you have 99.9% sure. because of the type of nut used on adjustment knobs..  Is the any tags or stamp from inside??  
 Price for these verys so much. with the wrong markings and or tags. everything makes the diff.. $1000.00 to $4000.00 that's a big jump without knowing everything..is there  anything inside? 
the ones worth $4000.00 you will see the logo stamped into the wood. not a sticker..

Submitted by jajunk

In reply to by Phoenixguy1954

The marking on the Head stock seems to be stamped into the wood and painted gold lettering "CF Martin & Co, Est. 1833".  The marking visible through the sound hole seems to be a black ink (or burned) stamp "C.F.Martin & Co Nazareth PA".  I do not see any other distinguishing marks.  Thank you for helping me with this.

Submitted by Joseph

Hi,

Can you please post a picture of the label/printed text inside the sound hole? I need to see that in order to confirm if it's an original/authentic Martin.

- Joseph

Submitted by Phoenixguy1954

 ukuleles (introduced in 1915),

Ukuleles didn't have serial numbers,   One good way of dating old Martin ukuleles is the headstock. First, they stamped the logo on the back of the peghead (from circa 1895). Then they started putting decals on the front of the headstock in 1930. Until 1932, they continued to stamp the back of the headstock with CF Martin & Co. So if you don't have a decal, it's pre-1930, if you have both decal and stamp, it was built between 1930 and 1932. They also used bar frets until 1934 (and probably on some ukes a few more years) after which they used "T" frets."

Submitted by Joseph

In reply to by Phoenixguy1954

Yes, you are correct, usually the headstock is a good way to tell authenticity. I have seen perfect reproductions (headstock and all), but can sometimes tell by the soundhole if something isn't just right (it can be another clue at times). I've seen perfect Martin guitar and ukelele reproductions that most "experts" thought were original only to find out that upon further research they were Mexican reproductions. This usually happens more on the Martin guitars than ukeleles because of the greater value.

- Joseph

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