New to UU But Need Help with Vintage

[Mermaidtutu]

Hi all. Excited to find this group. My FIL and MIL are from Oahu. We recently found one of my FIL's old Ukes. Can someone help with this please? Near perfect condition. Five string Jose Do Santos made in Honolulu. Koa wood.

 

[Larry U]

I'm pretty sure that's not a ukulele but a rajão, a five-stringed Portugese instrument.
See http://www.legendaryukuleles.com/wanted-jose-do-espirito-santo-rajao.html.
I think you have quite a valuable little collector's item there!

 

[Mermaidtutu]

Wow...OK...now what? Thank you so much. We don't quite now know what to do. I have it in a case with a humidity pack. It was just sitting on top of a bookcase for decades....can I clean/polish it with anything? Who can appraise it? So thankful....

 

[Larry U]

Wow...OK...now what? Thank you so much. We don't quite now know what to do. I have it in a case with a humidity pack. It was just sitting on top of a bookcase for decades....can I clean/polish it with anything? Who can appraise it? So thankful....

Please do not attempt to clean and/or polish it! The wrong materials or techniques can cause damage. A vintage instrument such as this should be examined by a professional. I don't know of a specific person who deals in vintage instruments, but I'm sure someone else here can give you recommendations.
Congratulations on having a very cool instrument!

 

[Larry U]

Here's an excellent article about the history of the ukulele and some information about Jose do Espirito Santo, who is considered one of the three "fathers of the ukulele". https://www.ukulelemag.com/stories/the-birth-of-the-ukulele

You are one very lucky person and fortunate to have had a father-in-law with the appreciation and knowledge of such a rare instrument!

 

[stevejfc]

Welcome Mermaidtutu! What is your general location? Perhaps we can recommend someone locally who can assist and evaluate the instrument.

 

[Mermaidtutu]

I would love any help we can get. We are in the Philadelphia region.

 

[Mermaidtutu]

Here's an excellent article about the history of the ukulele and some information about Jose do Espirito Santo, who is considered one of the three "fathers of the ukulele". https://www.ukulelemag.com/stories/the-birth-of-the-ukulele

You are one very lucky person and fortunate to have had a father-in-law with the appreciation and knowledge of such a rare instrument!

Thank you so much for this great article. Our hope is to honor my FIL's culture and make sure this treasure is cared for and safe.

 

[Larry U]

I would love any help we can get. We are in the Philadelphia region.

Here's a Philadelphia vintage instrument dealer that may be able to help you. https://vintage-instruments.com/

Also, although not local, Shawn Yacavone at Ukulele Friend in Honolulu seems to be the top of the heap when it comes to vintage uke dealers.

Good luck and let us know how you make out with this beauty.

 

[Larry U]

Also, although not local, Shawn Yacavone at Ukulele Friend in Honolulu seems to be the top of the heap when it comes to vintage uke dealers.

From the Ukulele Friend web site:
Jose do Espirito Santo 5-String Rajão
I think yours looks better than this one.