When back at the NJ UkeFest on Labor Day weekend in Morristown NJ, i.e., UKE NJ 3! (hosted by our own wonderful Scott Ferguson, 'ScooterD35' here on UU), I had a chance to try out a few ukes that were on display by Funky Frets at the vendor area.
One of those ukes, much hyped and also much derided here on UU was the Martin 1T IZ tenor tribute model. All solid mahogany. Matte finish. Very simple appearance, but fit and finish beyond anything else I have held in my hands.
OMG. It was so light and resonant, and felt just PERFECT in my hands, and the sound was like crying angels to me. I cried a little when I was playing it. Both from the sound it made, and because of the price.
If I had the $1,799 USD in hand at the time, I would have walked out with that instrument. That was and still is, a lot of money for me, to spend on anything right now.
I am frequently haunted by the sound and feel of that instrument, both awake and while sleeping.
I often have a dream, sort of a flashback of me playing it, wanting it, aching for it, but fully knowing that I cannot afford it nor own it (yet).
If this dream occurs close to my waking time, I wake up feeling sad, feeling a sense of loss until I realize and remember having had that dream the night before.
Right now, the Martin 1T IZ tenor uke is like the 'one that got away'....
One day...
Some day...
She will be with me.