Martin Ukulele Fans

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11 Comments

Comment by Terry Lin on October 23, 2009 at 11:03pm

I recall playing a rather expensive Martin Soprano at Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island, one with all sorts of beautiful inlays from the 1920's. What amazed me is how powerful and loud that little was! Just plucking this strings on the soprano caused all the strings of the guitars in the room to resonate!!

Comment by Terry Lin on October 23, 2009 at 1:21am

Comment to Dave...I've just recently been made aware of your ukes, (via Bosko & Honey's delightful Ukulele Safari on You Tube), and I must say, Wow!! Beautiful work, and I was especially impressed by the Gerald Ross model!! Might need to save up some pennies to get me a Talsma!

Ukulelezaza...one of these days I hope to learn to strum the uke as effortlessly as you...amazing!!

Comment by Terry Lin on October 23, 2009 at 1:17am

Sure wish that Martin would put some tenor ukes into their lineup again!!

Comment by bassfiddlesteve on October 3, 2009 at 11:55pm

Comment by Nancy Eaton on February 23, 2009 at 10:41am

I'll bring mine to the next meeting also. I have a bari, a concert and a couple of sopranos and they all are really something. I remember the first time I played a vintage Martin concert, it belonged to Bob Gross and I remember just gasping out loud at how much I loved the sound. I just had to get one after that.

Can't wait to hear about the upcoming TBUS events and I look forward to next time.

Comment by Nancy Eaton on February 22, 2009 at 2:28pm

Wow, Steve, this looks in great shape. I look forward to trying it at TBUS. I think the Martin tenor is the only Martin scale I haven't played yet.

Comment by Boz on February 17, 2009 at 12:16am

I was flea bitten years ago while I was doing a lot of traveling for the company I work for. I recall being snarled in traffic many a time and while others were ranting and fuming, I'd be strumming away merrily and care free. While at the Martin factory I saw them building the first run of the 5K's and I said to myself, I've got to have one of those! It is like a miniature D-45. I've since added a late 50's soprano, and a baritone from the early 60's. Once bitten it is hard to stop gathering Ukuleles. I've come to enjoy building them as well. Best of all are the other folks I've met and shared a tune or two with who have come to love the noble little four string marvel.
Keep on strummin,
Boz

Comment by Earl Ledden on February 15, 2009 at 7:18pm

I have a Martin S 1( has the faux tortoise shell binding) soprano. I live in upstate New York and put the word out to a local flea market that I was interested in a uke. The flea market guy called and said one was available.. The vendor, as it turned out was in to guitars and picked up the uke at a Sheriff's sale on a judgment debtor. He pulled it out of the original plastic -canvas tan and brown bag and I knew then and there it was mine! There was a long but thin crack along the bout and he lamented about it, thinking he couldn't get what he paid for it , $65. That gave me an idea of a price to offer so I offered $60. He said no, he had to get at least what he paid ( 10 years go). I upped the bid to $65 and it was sold. Interestingly, and perhaps miraculously, it hadn't been played for years and I tuned it by ear before strumming. He then pulled out a guitar and the pitch of the two were spot on! I took the uke to famous
Syracuse luthier Harry Eibert ( as Musicguymic says ) who did an excellent repair job for $185. Voila! It's a player and looks new. I believe its mid sixties vintage.
I watched Peter Howlett's series on making a ukulele (as he says, the thinking man's violin) and could not help but admire the workmanship in the Martin ukuleles of yesteryear as he described the various steps in the making of a hand crafted instrument. You only have to try out the Mexican martins to see and hear the difference between imitation and authenticity.

Comment by Nancy Eaton on December 19, 2008 at 11:53am

Welcome, Zaza, one of my favorite players. I might be interested in the trade. My 1C is a bit earlier but it's terrific. I'd have to think about it though as it is a fantastic ukulele, but I'd love to get a taropatch.

Comment by ukulelezaza on December 19, 2008 at 3:31am

Martins are my favourite ukes. Currently I have six: 0, 1, 3, 3K, 1 taropatch, 3 taropatch. The 3K is my all time favourite, it's the uke I play on my profile photo. It's totally beat up with multiple repaired cracks and holes (I got it cheap), but still it plays and sounds like a dream.

I'd like to have a 60s 1C and am looking for a trade with my style 1 taropatch. Anyone interested?

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