I have a uke built by the Aloha Manufacturing Co which I'd like to date and find out some background information on.
The uke is Koa, has the Hawaiian coat of arms on the headstock, peg tuners, a one piece saddle/bridge, solid linings (which I'm told are rattan) and has no other decoration other than 3 concentric rings around the sound hole.
The words TABU, Made in Hawaii and Akai are embossed in the sound hole.
I understand that they were in business from 1918 to 1935 (but would like to narrow the manufacture date down if possible) and that their head luthier was Tai Chong Goo aka Akai, the name that appears in the sound hole. But that is about all I've been able to glean.
The uke was bought by the previous owners father as a curio but is virtually unplayed, I'm wondering if this is because they didn't play well?
Any information greatly appreciated.
The uke is Koa, has the Hawaiian coat of arms on the headstock, peg tuners, a one piece saddle/bridge, solid linings (which I'm told are rattan) and has no other decoration other than 3 concentric rings around the sound hole.
The words TABU, Made in Hawaii and Akai are embossed in the sound hole.
I understand that they were in business from 1918 to 1935 (but would like to narrow the manufacture date down if possible) and that their head luthier was Tai Chong Goo aka Akai, the name that appears in the sound hole. But that is about all I've been able to glean.
The uke was bought by the previous owners father as a curio but is virtually unplayed, I'm wondering if this is because they didn't play well?
Any information greatly appreciated.
