How can I tell how old my Martin ukulele is?

The first Martin ukes, built in 1916, have serial numbers ranging from one to less than 200. Ukes made after 1916 do not have serial numbers and must be dated by specification changes. For example, in 1962 Martin added “made in usa” to the inside stamp. Ukes have the Martin stamp on the back of the peghead until 1935.

When did Martin start making ukuleles?

Martin’s first tenor ukuleles rolled off the production line in 1929 and have been a favorite of countless players since.

What was the original ukulele strings made of?

catgut
The strings themselves were originally made of catgut. Modern ukuleles use nylon polymer strings, with many variations in the material. Some of the lower strings, particularly on the larger sizes, are wound with aluminum. The most common tuning is C6-tuning: G4 C4 E4 A4.

Where are Martin ukes made?

Craftsmanship is tight and clean, attention to detail is excellent–these ukes have an overall feeling of quality that really comes through when you have a chance to see and play one. The 1K series are built in Martin’s Mexican factory, which is where they produce some of their more affordable guitars.

What is my ukulele worth?

Budget: Around $50. Beginner: $50 to $150. Mid-Level: $150 to $500. High-End: $500 and Up.

Where is the ukulele originally from?

The instrument, with its four plastic strings and a short neck, originated in Europe and was introduced to Hawaii in 1879 when a Portuguese immigrant named Joao Fernandez jumped off the boat and started strumming and singing with his branguinha (a small guitar-like instrument, sometimes called the machete).

What does ukulele mean in Hawaiian?

In Hawaiian, the word is ukulele (from ʽuku, “flea,” and lele, “jumping”). Mr. Ukulele became so closely associated with the instrument that his nickname became the name by which the instrument was known.

Are Martin ukuleles made in USA?

If you can see the words “Made in USA” the ukulele was produced after 1966. As well as making their own ukuleles, Martin also made ukes for other manufacturers such as Oliver Ditson. These ukuleles are identical to the standard Martin ukuleles apart from the maker stamps and decals.

Are Kala ukuleles made in China?

Even brands like Kala that make higher-end ukuleles in the US make most of their inexpensive (sub $500 or so) ukuleles in China. This means that there are many factories and workshops that have both the equipment and expertise to make ukuleles.

What was the first model of the Martin ukulele?

Martin’s 1917 pamphlet. When Martin produced its first ukulele pamphlet in 1917, soprano ukuleles were featured in three models: Style 1, Style 2, and Style 3. The Style 1 is described in that first ukulele pamphlet as “a neat and durable instrument.” It featured a 12-fret fingerboard and a mahogany body bound on top in rosewood.

When did the peg tuners come out on the Martin ukulele?

If your Style 0 or 1 comes with peg tuners, it was made before 1927. But just because it has tuners it doesn’t mean that is after 1927, as some retailers and special orders had geared tuners installed before that.

How to identify a Martin caveat emptor ukulele?

The market indicated the need for a lower end model, so they created the Style 0. There are two primary items to look at to determine the Style, the 7th fret marker and the bindings. The fret marker at the 7th fret for the Style 0 is a single, small dot. For the Style 1 and 2 it is two small dots.

Can a Martin ukulele be worth several thousand dollars?

One dealer even told me that Martin had told them it was a Style 1 when it clearly wasn’t. In some cases this may work in favor of the buyer, but most of the time it doesn’t. And just because they say it is worth several thousand dollars doesn’t mean that is an appropriate value.