pbagley
Well-known member
Hello everyone. I have a question for the more seasoned ukulele folks. If a ukulele has no label and no branding marks, how do you assess the value?
Here's why I ask - there is a little solid wood sporano uke on CL that is claimed to play and sound nice. It is also claimed to be made in Hawaii in the 1930's. I do not know how the seller determined where and when it was made. I have not seen it is person yet, just the photos. The color is similar to my Kamaka gold label, so it could be koa. Or it could be the lighting. 12 frets, none over the body. No binding, but has a rope inlay around the sound hole. It looks like it may be an ebony nut, bridge and saddle are the same color as the rest of the wood. Square end of the fretboard right at the body joint. Looks like a rather round profile to the neck (much different than the rather square shape of my Kamaka). Martin shaped headstock. Friction tuners, unmatched, with some chip-out around one of the peg holes. I don't see any cracks in the photos, but the back seam seems a little wide and could be open. Asking price is $80. I'm not sure it is worth this much or not, and an in-person assessment of the sound and playability would make a lot of difference in the value.
So far all I thought to look for are bar vs. T frets. I'm sure there are a lot more things look at to confirm the seller's story.
Thank you in advance.
Here's why I ask - there is a little solid wood sporano uke on CL that is claimed to play and sound nice. It is also claimed to be made in Hawaii in the 1930's. I do not know how the seller determined where and when it was made. I have not seen it is person yet, just the photos. The color is similar to my Kamaka gold label, so it could be koa. Or it could be the lighting. 12 frets, none over the body. No binding, but has a rope inlay around the sound hole. It looks like it may be an ebony nut, bridge and saddle are the same color as the rest of the wood. Square end of the fretboard right at the body joint. Looks like a rather round profile to the neck (much different than the rather square shape of my Kamaka). Martin shaped headstock. Friction tuners, unmatched, with some chip-out around one of the peg holes. I don't see any cracks in the photos, but the back seam seems a little wide and could be open. Asking price is $80. I'm not sure it is worth this much or not, and an in-person assessment of the sound and playability would make a lot of difference in the value.
So far all I thought to look for are bar vs. T frets. I'm sure there are a lot more things look at to confirm the seller's story.
Thank you in advance.