Kamaka Database/Unofficial Histroy Site?

PedalFreak

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Would anyone be interested in something like this? I've collected a lot of photos for a while of different Kamaka's, logos, label photos. As well as information I've found here and there. Have been thinking of starting a website for all of it. A 1 stop place for all the Kamaka fans to go to find some info, or just gawk at the amazingness known as Kamaka Ukulele's :D

I'd also thought about building a database of serial numbers, and the model/year they go with. Their are several like that for Guitar brands. There is a Les Paul registry on line, a Martin one (don't know if that is still going or not), so why not a Kamaka registry. Would make it easy to find an approx year for a uke that you may have if you can see what others have and those years.

Any thoughts or suggestions on it?

I started a site yesterday. Got an email for it, a twitter, etc. I'll post a link here soon. Thought I'd ask for suggestions from the other Kamaka fans first though, get ideas of what to add to it!
 
I think this would be great! I am kind of surprised no one has done this already.

I think some sort of database which would include pictures of the uke, labels and headstock decals and the years they were used, and the different models or other ways to identify your Kamaka.

It would also be cool to include copies of ads. which are out there from newspapers and such where Kamaka advertised their ukuleles. I wish I could be helpful in the project, let me know if there is some way I could give some support!
 
It would also be cool to include copies of ads. which are out there from newspapers and such where Kamaka advertised their ukuleles. I wish I could be helpful in the project, let me know if there is some way I could give some support!

Putting some of these up right now ;)

If anyone has copies of ads, vintage photos, let me know!
 
Interested and very cool idea. A lot of work on your part. Thank you!
 
I've begun a database of serial numbers I've found online. Mainly vintage Kamaka's. If anyone has any serial numbers they want to add please PM me with the #, approx year, and model. Including any specs on it. Such as, 1 in the database was a pineapple w/ rope binding, single pineapple decal on the body, but no headstock decal.

Thanks!
 
very cool! Will be a great resource
 
Heck yeah.....what an awesome idea!!! Maybe all of the Kamaka Fanboys/girls canmake a pilgrimage of sorts!!!
 
Great idea! Someone should interview Fred and Sam Jr. Fred tells great stories at the beginning of the factory tour.

I found these photos on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1962-Honolulu-Kamaka-Ukulele-Koa-wood-Hawaii-Ad-/390109208943?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad452216f
attachment.php


http://cgi.ebay.com/US-Patent-KAMAKAs-Pineapple-UKULELE-115-/230377196674?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item35a38d0c82
attachment.php


http://cgi.ebay.com/KAMAKA-UKULELE-PATENT-Vintage-Pineapple-1928-Art-Print-/120438296878?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c0aae912e
attachment.php
 
Great idea! Someone should interview Fred and Sam Jr. Fred tells great stories at the beginning of the factory tour.

I found these photos on eBay:


Thanks! All of that I posted earlier on the site :D

I've had all of that stuff for awhile. Never thought that you could print it and sell it on ebay :confused:
 
Sweet, you beat me to the punch. I had contemplated doing a similar idea. Here are a few links you may want to considering adding -- if not, no biggie, by the way, site looks great!

Kamaka Ukulele Club Japan: http://www.kamakaukulelejp.com/index.html
Kamaka Tour Photoblog: http://www.donaldchanblog.com/?p=2540
Kamaka Factory photos: http://www.hawaiianmusichistory.com/ukulele/kamaka/factory-photos.htm

These are some videos I had started gathering for my attempt at a Kamaka fansite:

Outrigger looks at Making a Kamaka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUhJkF6Qa6w
NAMM 2011 Kamaka interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBUEEvFL7no
Focus on Kamaka's hearing impaired employees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQnTr7-hy8I
Holoholo to Kamaka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcZkeIKHzsM
Interview with Chris Kamaka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe69ZDa2g08
Visit to Kamaka Factory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LoY372krPo
Vincent and Theo Kamaka Factory Tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59wlZPczLZo
Making an Ukulele (Kamaka) - in Japanese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxSUb-HMchc
Kamaka Factory Tour part 1 (by Fred Kamaka): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szlxol9C894
Kamaka Factory Tour part 2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkuXOf2PPsA
Kamaka Factory Tour part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFS49uvTLLI

Congrats on the site, I look forward to enjoying it. :)
 
Love the idea. KAMAKA!
 
Is there a way to date early Kamaka ukuleles by the hand written production number?
 
Oh my!!! That's amazing, I just bought a gold label Kamaka on ebay and would love to know more.
 
Sounds like a cool idea and a great job on the site already!
 
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