c.1930 Harmony Roy Smeck "Vita Uke" finished up!

Jake Wildwood · May 3, 2012

I just got finished with this uke this morning -- repairs included hairline reglues/cleats to cracks near the soundhole, cleaning, fret level/dress, a new rosewood bridge, and setup.

What's cool is that the uke was signed/scratched into by seemingly all the members of the 20s/30s group "South Sea Islanders."

Check the pics below and also note that you can check out a whole blog post with more info and pics at my website (click here).

dhoenisch · May 3, 2012

Sweet uke! I love old Harmony instrument. Yours is a great example. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

jackwhale · May 4, 2012

the uke looks fabulous. I'm hoping a wave didn't swamp the uke after the picture was taken.
Is that a bridge of your own design?

hmgberg · May 4, 2012

Nice job, Jake! I saw this when it was for sale. You really made it look so much better. It was kind of a mess.

Jake Wildwood · May 4, 2012

jackwhale said:
the uke looks fabulous. I'm hoping a wave didn't swamp the uke after the picture was taken.
Is that a bridge of your own design?

Jack: Yup, it's meant to be a little longer to reinforce a slightly damaged bridge-foot area. It's patterned on bridges that Harmony used on 12-fret tenor guitars in the mid-20s.

Berg: Thanks! Yeah, it was kind of gross to begin with, but ya know, spit and polish and all that.

I'm thinking we'll be holding onto this uke for our "private collection" for the time being. It sounds amazing... so full and mellow.

hmgberg · May 5, 2012

I know, They sound really good..and different. I have one, too. I also play Aquila strings on mine. One of the few ukes, I find, that sounds perfect with them.

Nickie · May 5, 2012

Nice, Jake! How old is it?

Jake Wildwood · May 5, 2012

c.1930-ish. Woo, I'm up late tonight, cleaning the workshop...

Scott S. · May 5, 2012

That is so cool. You've really restored that nicely.

c.1930 Harmony Roy Smeck "Vita Uke" finished up!

Jake Wildwood

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dhoenisch

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jackwhale

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hmgberg

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Jake Wildwood

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hmgberg

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Nickie

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Jake Wildwood

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Scott S.

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