NUD - Martin 1T IZ Tenor

I'm pretty excited. It's been a long wait. There's been a lot of discussion about this tribute ukulele, pro and con. Many think it should have been an exact replica of IZ's uke. Being a tenor man I am very happy they decided to go with this size. It is awesome!

Martin has done an immaculate job on the build and the sonic properties are exactly what you would expect from a Martin. I am very proud to own this uke. I will try to get a soundclip recorded over the holidays.

The hype from the website:
A tribute to one of the most revered musicians in Hawaiian history, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, aka IZ, Martin's IT IZ Tenor Ukulele features a beautiful solid quilted mahogany body with an East Indian rosewood headplate adorned with "IZ" inlaid in Hawaiian koa and a hibiscus flower inlaid in pink awabi pearl. As beautiful as the music he made, this uke impresses with its looks as well as its sound.

Features:
Model: 1T IZ Tenor Uke
Construction: Mahogany Blocks/ Applied Dovetail Neck Joint
Body Size: Tenor Ukulele
Top: Solid Quilted Mahogany
Rosette: Single Ring - Multiple Black/White Fiber
Top Bracing Pattern: Tenor Ukelele
Top Braces: Non Scalloped
Back Material: Solid Quilted Mahogany
Side Material: Solid Quilted Mahogany
Endpiece: Black Fiber
Binding: Tortoise - Brown
Top Inlay Style: Black/White Fiber
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Neck Shape: Tenor Uke
Nut Material: Black Tusq
Headstock: Solid/Traditional Martin Ukulele Design
Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood/Hibiscus Flower - IZ (Koa) Inlay
Fingerboard Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Scale Length: 17'' Uke Pattern
Number Of Frets Clear: 14
Number Of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Width At Nut: 1-11/32''
Fingerboard Width At 12th Fret: 1-23/32''
Fingerboard Position Inlays: One @5th,7th,10th,Two @ 12th,One @ 15th, M.O.P.
Finish Back & Sides: Satin
Finish Top: Satin
Finish Neck: Satin
Bridge Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Bridge Style: Tenor Uke Style
Bridge String Spacing: 1-5/8''
Saddle: Compensated Black Tusq
Tuning Machines: Pegheds, 7543A
Recommended Strings: Martin Ukulele (M620)
Case: Nex Gen ZG Case
Interior Label: 2 Paper Labels - 1 signed by widow of Israel & numbered in sequence w/o total - 1 with photo of IZ

Pics:

Wow, they certainly delivered on that quilted mahogany-- beautiful wood, beautiful uke! Any chance we'll get a sound sample?

RichM said:

Any chance we'll get a sound sample?

Click to expand...

Thanks Rich.

Yup. As I mentioned above, will get my recording equipment out over the holidays and get that done!

Wow, you must have been a very good boy! Even the stockings are smiling.

Congrats and looking forward to hear your impressions on how it sounds

Enjoy

Congrats on a beautiful instrument!

Wow, gorgeous. A "modern classic" Martin

That is beautiful. I hope you enjoy it. Times for some Christmas carols

Nice! I had the chance to play one at the factory early this year, and I was impressed. Enjoy!

Oh, my, that is absolutely beautiful. Congrats!

Congrats Dennis....wow you certainly are having a very nice collection... I played one of these....I like they tried to add some vintage touches on them... Happy Strummings

Denis, that is one beautiful and special Martin. Thanks for the pictures.

Great pix and congrats on this cool uke!!! Thanks for the close-ups! Never knew IZ was inside the uke!

Petey

Beautiful! Congratulations. I still think mahogany is the prettiest tonewood there is!

Congrats Dennis. This another beautiful uke for your collection. It is beautiful.

Wendell

Congratulations! It's a beauty.

Great photos and congrats on this ultra-cool uke!!! Thanks for the close-ups! Never knew IZ was inside the uke, Dennis.

(if you ever get jonesin' for selling that vintage 3, shoot me a PM, brother)

Congrat's! It's gorgeous and those are some great pic's!!! I'd like to have one and I'm not a tenor guy...wish they would make a concert. I'm guessing Iz played a tenor, huh?