My interest in playing a 4 string ukulele has been recently rekindled by my son Nick, who is also a member on this forum. For the past few years I have concentrated only on strumming while playing with Auntie Maelani Wilcox with her ukulele class at the Hui here in San Diego. I play on 2 Kamaka's; a custom tenor 6 and custom tenor 8 string. Well, since my rekindled interest, i have become infected with UAS and placed an order for a custom Tenor by Mya Moe (Brazilian Rosewood/Bisquit Fire Cedar) soon to start production, as well a pre 1940 or so 12 fret Martin Tenor in perfect condition from whendogsings.
I remembered that back in 1972 after my graduation from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, I had bought a concert sized ukulele off the shelf from Uncle Sam Kamaka at the Kamaka Factory. I played it as a hobby never becoming a picking wizard. Well 17 years ago, we moved from Hawaii to San Diego and my ukulele was shipped along with all of our other stuff and then put away in the closet, only to be forgotten. Needless to say, after 17 years of not being touched or thought of, I decided to get it out of the closet. To my dismay, I couldn't find it. I searched everywhere!!! Everywhere where I thought it would have been placed, but auwe it was not to be found Well since there was nothing I could do, I finally accepted the fact that it was probaby lost or accidently thrown away. My wife continued the search, and low and behold she found it!!!
With great anticipation, I rushed home from work. It was in its original chipboard box. When I opened the case to my amazement, I realized that I had a treasure. The ukulele is an Ohta San model (Bell Shaped body); in fact it is a custom Ohta San in Koa with I believe maple binding. I remember that I had a Hawaiian Tiki put on the headstock as well as a nameplate with my name and year of purhase. You will agree that this was indeed a FIND. But it wasn't until i looked into the "puka" at the label, which eaten off and enjoyed by the Hawaii Cockroaches who somehow got into the case, that I nearly lost my pants and fainted. (just the edges were chewed) It read: August 11, 1972; No. 1;Custom made Ohta San. Realizing that I had such a treasure all of this time, i felt regret that I did not take better care of this instrument. This baby is in very good shape; no nicks, but a small crack on the back of the ukulele (because I did not have a humdifier in the case). This crack looks like it did not go all the way through to the other side and in no ways affects the sound and intonation. I will have it checked by the luthier at the Blue Guitar here in San Diego and will have it checked out at the Kamaka factory on my next trip to Hawaii. I have restrung it with Aquila concert strings in high G and have fallen love with this baby again and will treat it with "tender loving care". It now resides in its original case with a humidifier. I will try to attach a few pictures; if I dont succeed I will post it in another post.
I remembered that back in 1972 after my graduation from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, I had bought a concert sized ukulele off the shelf from Uncle Sam Kamaka at the Kamaka Factory. I played it as a hobby never becoming a picking wizard. Well 17 years ago, we moved from Hawaii to San Diego and my ukulele was shipped along with all of our other stuff and then put away in the closet, only to be forgotten. Needless to say, after 17 years of not being touched or thought of, I decided to get it out of the closet. To my dismay, I couldn't find it. I searched everywhere!!! Everywhere where I thought it would have been placed, but auwe it was not to be found Well since there was nothing I could do, I finally accepted the fact that it was probaby lost or accidently thrown away. My wife continued the search, and low and behold she found it!!!
With great anticipation, I rushed home from work. It was in its original chipboard box. When I opened the case to my amazement, I realized that I had a treasure. The ukulele is an Ohta San model (Bell Shaped body); in fact it is a custom Ohta San in Koa with I believe maple binding. I remember that I had a Hawaiian Tiki put on the headstock as well as a nameplate with my name and year of purhase. You will agree that this was indeed a FIND. But it wasn't until i looked into the "puka" at the label, which eaten off and enjoyed by the Hawaii Cockroaches who somehow got into the case, that I nearly lost my pants and fainted. (just the edges were chewed) It read: August 11, 1972; No. 1;Custom made Ohta San. Realizing that I had such a treasure all of this time, i felt regret that I did not take better care of this instrument. This baby is in very good shape; no nicks, but a small crack on the back of the ukulele (because I did not have a humdifier in the case). This crack looks like it did not go all the way through to the other side and in no ways affects the sound and intonation. I will have it checked by the luthier at the Blue Guitar here in San Diego and will have it checked out at the Kamaka factory on my next trip to Hawaii. I have restrung it with Aquila concert strings in high G and have fallen love with this baby again and will treat it with "tender loving care". It now resides in its original case with a humidifier. I will try to attach a few pictures; if I dont succeed I will post it in another post.
