Martin Uke

c.b.fiddler · May 27, 2008

This was given to me by my father for my birthday. I am a professional violinist in Atlanta and an apprenticing violin-maker - I know nothing of Ukuleles! This is a beautiful Uke that I do not want to sell (it belonged to my Great Grandfather.) I have done some research and think it is a C.F Martin 3K uke. Do you guys know more about the history and collectability of such an instrument?

I am an 8 yr member of Maestronet.com - a forum for the violin family. There is so much expertise over there I though a Ukulele forum may be able to shed some more light on this.

Thank you in advance!
Chris

cheeseburger · May 27, 2008

That is sooooo pretty!

uber_goober · May 27, 2008

Hey Chris,

I'm no expert, but the older Martin's are generally very desirable. Especially the fancier ones (like the 3k). I can't say for sure that's the model (I'm sure others can chime in). But I can say that you've got a great instrument to keep and play (read that, "do not, under any circumstances, sell that ukulele").

-John

uber_goober · May 27, 2008

Oh, one more thing...you probably want to stick with lower tension strings, like Martin's or D'Addario's. Higher tension strings like Worth's may be dangerous given the (probably) light bracing on the Martin. When your instrument was built, there was only one kind of string...low tension.

-John

c.b.fiddler · May 27, 2008

Thank you!

The research I did at the Geocites website claims that the 3K with diamond inlays is a fancier older model that was first available in 1918. There is no serial number to trace anywhere on/in the uke that I can see - just the Martin stamp on the back of the headstock and inside looking directly into the soundhole.

Couple more pics:

GX9901 · May 27, 2008

Holy smokes! A Martin 3K! It's worth a bazillion dollars.

Check out this site for some info on Martin ukes:

http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/martin2.html

I think the price info are outdated on that site, but it gives you a ballpark idea.

[Edit]Here's a 3K for sale at Gryphon Stringed Instruments:

http://www.gryphonstrings.com/instpix/27534/27534.html

To me, the style 3 is the best looking of all Martin ukes.

deach · May 27, 2008

hmmmm It's pretty but it looks like a cheapie knock-off. You'd better send that to me. I have a nice blue Mahalo to trade you. I even have the receipt.

UKISOCIETY · May 27, 2008

Yeah, well I got a violin from my dad that says Stradavarius on the inside!

....Werner Stradavarius.

tad · May 27, 2008

You just came over here to show off, didn't you?

That is a BEAUTIFUL (and yes, very collectible and pricey) ukulele!

c.b.fiddler · May 27, 2008

Hi GX9901,

I just noticed your edit - Wow. I thought $5000 was a high estimate. This uke doesn't have any cracks or repairs.

Deach,

Sure thing - I don't think I want this ratty old shrunken guitar anyway.

Send yours first and then mine will follow shortly.:rock:

I promise I didn't come over here to show off - I use to play with this uke when I was kid. I, nor my dad, had no idea that it was a Martin until this weekend when he gave it to me and I started taking a closer look at it.

If you have a real strad - I might consider a trade

deach · May 27, 2008

The only thing I got from my dad was bad skin and hypertension.

h-drix · May 27, 2008

if all else fails email the company, they are still around, and im sure they would appreciate that one of their 80+ year old ukes is still alive and kicking.

c.b.fiddler · May 27, 2008

Great Advice H-drix,

I just got off the phone with Martin and they were able to place this uke between 1923 and 1932 due to the tuning pegs and diamond shape inlays. It seems there is no way to narrow it further due to the lack of serial numbers at this early date. Still - it puts me closer to a production date than before I read your suggestion.

Thanks!
Chris

Howlin Hobbit · May 27, 2008

You got a great uke there. For goodness sake don't just put it on display as an "heirloom," play the heck out of it!

Oh yeah, and remember what Krusty the Clown sez: "The ukulele is the thinking man's violin."

deach said:
The only thing I got from my dad was bad skin and hypertension.

I feel ya bro. My dad gave me a gene that says "Dead at 51 from a heart attack." I'm less than three weeks from my 50th birthday.

c.b.fiddler · May 27, 2008

Instruments were meant to be played. I am going to use the wonderful resources you guys have posted her to learn the uke. I play guitar as well as violin, so hopefully I'll pick it up quickly.

pohaku · May 28, 2008

A beautiful uke and in wonderful shape! Martin made both a koa and mahogany line of ukes in varying levels of ornamentation with the 5K (koa) being the most ornate (at least for a Martin - they have always been pretty restrained in that regard). The koa ukes are worth more than the mahogany ukes and your instrument is very collectable. Treat it like the fine instrument that it is, but play it! Congratulations!

Plainsong · May 28, 2008

Why can't I get something cool like this from my family? Yup, you got the strad of the ukulele world there, now play that thang! :rock:

UkuleleAddiction · May 28, 2008

If you're wanting some more information on the history or specifics of your 3K, then you may want to ask about it over the the Flea Market Music forum:

http://www.fleamarketmusic.com/bulletin/default.asp

There are several people on that board who are into vintage ukes.

The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum (UMGF) also has several vintage experts, but registration to post may take a few days. They have a sub-forum that deals with ukes and other 4-string instruments:

http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/forums/8

Kaneohe til the end · May 28, 2008

c.b.fiddler said:
Sure thing - I don't think I want this ratty old shrunken guitar anyway.

BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lanark · May 28, 2008

Like many have said before. just wow.

Cream of the crop type stuff. learn how to play it and appreciate it. It's just freakin' too gorgeous to sit in the back of a closet in a case.

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