Hoping to identify uke

kamira · Jun 13, 2016

Hi there, a friend saved a uke from the clutches of an artist who was hoping to stick a nail through it ... we can't identify its make or origins but it does have some unusual features. Bowed back, s-shaped fretboard, wedge shaped machine heads, beading. The label is mostly ripped out. Can anyone help?
Robyn

river_driver · Jun 14, 2016

Whoa! Glad you were able to save it...but I have no idea what it is!

My gut tells me it's late 1920's/early 1930's. The tuners are not original. Somebody put a set of 1950's-60's Harmony "shark fin" tuners on it at some point.

The rope binding reminds me of some early Regals, though I don't think I've seen binding that elaborate. And the S-shaped fretboard extension is absolutely unique.

Is there any salvageable info on what's left of the paper label? A word even?

OhioBelle · Jun 14, 2016

That's really cool! I love old instruments. This one looks like it has a story to tell, full of love songs, parties, and jazz age romance.

Hope someone here can identify it.

PhilUSAFRet · Jun 14, 2016

those shark tooth tuners and fretboard cutout at the body should help someone I.D. it. Perhaps the binding as well. Good luck, nice find.

stevejfc · Jun 14, 2016

Nice save! Love the tuner buttons.

spongeuke · Jun 14, 2016

I know exactly what it is. It is a Sky Lark from the Peoples Republic of China, made in the 50s or early 60s before the cultural revolution. The fret board extension was pointed out to me as a Yin and Yang format. The tuners I had on the 2 I've owned are Kluson like what are used on the same era Martin 0s. Don't know who distributed them, I've also seen less well made ones. I really like the bindings but they were a bit over built so sound wise they don't stand up to Gretchs or Martins Still nice lookers. I have one as a wall-hanger in my Bathroom.

janeray1940 · Jun 14, 2016

spongeuke said:
I know exactly what it is. It is a Sky Lark from the Peoples Republic of China, made in the 50s or early 60s before the cultural revolution. The fret board extension was pointed out to me as a Yin and Yang format. The tuners I had on the 2 I've owned are Kluson like what are used on the same era Martin 0s. Don't know who distributed them, I've also seen less well made ones. I really like the bindings but they were a bit over built so sound wise they don't stand up to Gretchs or Martins Still nice lookers. I have one as a wall-hanger in my Bathroom.

Fascinating stuff, this is the sort of thing I love about UU! So much knowledge here. More info here and here.

PhilUSAFRet · Jun 14, 2016

Is this Forum great or what?

bonesigh · Jun 14, 2016

Yes! This is a great find

river_driver · Jun 14, 2016

spongeuke said:
I know exactly what it is. It is a Sky Lark from the Peoples Republic of China, made in the 50s or early 60s before the cultural revolution. The fret board extension was pointed out to me as a Yin and Yang format. The tuners I had on the 2 I've owned are Kluson like what are used on the same era Martin 0s. Don't know who distributed them, I've also seen less well made ones. I really like the bindings but they were a bit over built so sound wise they don't stand up to Gretchs or Martins Still nice lookers. I have one as a wall-hanger in my Bathroom.

Are the lighter-colored bits on the rope binding bamboo?

spongeuke · Jun 15, 2016

river_driver said:
Are the lighter-colored bits on the rope binding bamboo?

Both of the Sky Larks had very different bindings. Both were very colorful and like nothing I've seen anywhere else. Kind of a Chinese sensibility as far as color combination. Tried thinning the soundboard but it made very little difference, hence wall hanger.

kamira · Jun 15, 2016

I'm so excited! Thank you Spongeuke. How it ended up in New Zealand at a garage sale is a mystery. Now, it will avoid having the nail through it. Thank you thank you

Hoping to identify uke

kamira

New member

river_driver

Well-known member

OhioBelle

Well-known member

PhilUSAFRet

UU VIP

stevejfc

Well-known member

spongeuke

Well-known member

janeray1940

Well-known member

PhilUSAFRet

UU VIP

bonesigh

Well-known member

river_driver

Well-known member

spongeuke

Well-known member

kamira

New member

Similar threads