Hi guys girls new to the forum just a little info I've been a vintage instrument restorer for over 30 years "where has it gone" predominantly violins ,guitars banjos ,ukes
I have had some wonderful instruments in the workshop I am now retired but I have owned or worked on some wonderful martins /Gibson's and some dubious "60s"Gibsons ,Kumalae most of the quality vintage brands many modern hand built My favourite uke was a 30s martin concert well played but crack free (always irritates me when someone says it has cracks bit doesn't affect the sound) it does !!! LOL the old Vintage v modern thing I personnly love vintage instruments but a few years ago a chap brought in a kiwaya ktc1 (basically a copy of my vintage martin) to have a pickup fitted I was intrigued by the uke !! best finished uke I’ve ever seen and so light I was a little naughty took it home to play around with ,intonation perfect compensated saddle wonderful projection, beautifully braced “so I bought one”
Sound is subjective but build and playability isn’t I have spent an obscene amount of time setting up my ukes but out of the box the kiwaya perfect I,m loathed !!!!!!to say a Japanese modern uke is the best uke I’ve ever played and she’s opened up ,rings like a bell I subsequently sold the martin never played it
George
I have had some wonderful instruments in the workshop I am now retired but I have owned or worked on some wonderful martins /Gibson's and some dubious "60s"Gibsons ,Kumalae most of the quality vintage brands many modern hand built My favourite uke was a 30s martin concert well played but crack free (always irritates me when someone says it has cracks bit doesn't affect the sound) it does !!! LOL the old Vintage v modern thing I personnly love vintage instruments but a few years ago a chap brought in a kiwaya ktc1 (basically a copy of my vintage martin) to have a pickup fitted I was intrigued by the uke !! best finished uke I’ve ever seen and so light I was a little naughty took it home to play around with ,intonation perfect compensated saddle wonderful projection, beautifully braced “so I bought one”
Sound is subjective but build and playability isn’t I have spent an obscene amount of time setting up my ukes but out of the box the kiwaya perfect I,m loathed !!!!!!to say a Japanese modern uke is the best uke I’ve ever played and she’s opened up ,rings like a bell I subsequently sold the martin never played it
George