My New-to-me 1950/60s Kamaka Soprano: Is it real or a fake?

PSI · Sep 12, 2018

Hi Everybody,
I have a new uke to add to my growing collection due to UAS. I just bought a Kamaka soprano ukelele from the late 50s or 60s. At least I hope that it what I bought. I'm pretty darn confident that is what I bought, but wanted to open up a thread to ask the opinion of the assembled.
It has the right shape, decal and label. I will include pictures (or at least I'll try) because that is probably the best way to get your opinions.
I bought it through OfferUp (I know, that is one tally for thinking it is a fake) from a guy who is married to someone I tangentially work with (which I'm hoping balances out the previous tally). I believe he believes it is a Kamaka. It came with a really old case and a 1950s era Ka-Lea's ukulele instruction book tucked in the case ( another tally for authenticity in my opinion).
I admit I am not even close to an expert on Kamakas specifically or even ukuleles in general, so I'm hoping the overall opinion is that I am the proud new owner of a vintage Kamaka soprano.
Let the opining commence!

PSI · Sep 12, 2018

PSI · Sep 12, 2018

Here are some pictures of my new uke.

PSI · Sep 12, 2018

This is the instruction booklet that was folded in half and tucked under the uke. It also had a very old looking plastic pick included in the case.

PSI · Sep 12, 2018

Sorry if this not the normal way to add pictures or to post, I have been a member a while but don't often post.

Thanks for any opinions you can provide.

Bill Sheehan · Sep 12, 2018

Sorry, PSI, it's clearly a fake, but don't worry, I'll be glad to take it off your hands for $25.00... JUST KIDDING !!!
Seriously, I'd say all indications point to this being the genuine article! Very nice!

joninjapan · Sep 12, 2018

looks absolutely correct, so much so that the back matches almost exactly a gold label I recently repaired, maybe a slice above or below. I found it to be a wonderful uke, it sounded so... Hawaiian.. and too loud

Patrick Madsen · Sep 12, 2018

Is it a Gold or a White label Kamaka? The Gold I had looked almost like gold foil label. My White looks much like this one. Congrats; sure looks like a Kamaka too me.

PSI · Sep 12, 2018

Thanks for all of your replies and input. I was pretty sure it was a real one when I bought it but it is very comforting that others think so as well. He wanted $300 and we agreed on $260. From looking at other sales on eBay and Reverb, I think I got a good deal (so long as it was a real Kamaka!).

PSI · Sep 12, 2018

It is a gold label, and it does have a certain "gold foil" reflection to the paper.
I read somewhere that during the gold and white label years, the inside was stamped somewhere, but the article didn't say where or what was supposed to be stamped. I also read that the date of manufacture was supposed to be hand written on the gold labels but I've never seen one with such a date. Has anyone come across the same claims/rumors/information?

Grizzly Adams · Sep 12, 2018

Seriously, you think someone would go to the trouble to fake a Kamaka, right down to the label, for $260?

UkerDanno · Sep 12, 2018

Why would you think it was fake anyway?

RafterGirl · Sep 12, 2018

The most important question is.....how does it play & sound?

Jerryc41 · Sep 12, 2018

Grizzly Adams said:
Seriously, you think someone would go to the trouble to fake a Kamaka, right down to the label, for $260?

That would work if he could generate the volume. It's like someone counterfeiting pennies. One million counterfeits would earn the crook $10,000. Of course, there's all the expense involved, too. : )

PSI · Sep 14, 2018

I didnt think he had faked/counterfeited it. I was concerned that it might be a fake from long ago because I have never held or played a Kamaka and might not be able to tell the difference (the seller said he bought it at an estate sale and didn't know much about ukuleles). I have read the reason why Mr. Kamaka started making the Kamaka Keiki models was because of the large number of counterfeits being produced in Japan at the time. While $260-300 might not be a windfall justifying a modern counterfitting effort, it would still be a lot to pay for a fake. Without any experience with Kamakas, and even though I had done my research, it was comforting to seek and hear the opinions of the folks on UU. Thanks for all your comments and opinions.

My New-to-me 1950/60s Kamaka Soprano: Is it real or a fake?

PSI

Member

PSI

Member

PSI

Member

Attachments

PSI

Member

PSI

Member

Attachments

Bill Sheehan

Well-known member

joninjapan

Member

Patrick Madsen

UU VIP

PSI

Member

PSI

Member

Grizzly Adams

Well-known member

UkerDanno

Well-known member

RafterGirl

Well-known member

Jerryc41

Well-known member

PSI

Member

Similar threads