Impulse buy: Martin Style 3 Centennial Soprano

Ukujiji said:

Hello UU friends, I got my first Soprano ever today, it is a Martin Style 3 Centennial.

I first tried this ukulele back in September at a local music store, I didn't know what brand was it back then. When I strum it the first time, I was blown away by its volume and tone. Here's is a video I recorded playing it for the first time, you can hear the volume is so loud.
https://youtu.be/qfWE_MTfugM
I looked at the price, a sweat dripped down my forehead, I put it back.

Now fast forward to last night, I dreamed about this ukulele. I couldn't fall back to sleep, I got up and did some research. When I saw a hundred years old martin soprano still sounds and looks amazing, I decide to get it!

I haven't put it down since this morning, it sounds just so beautiful.
I mainly play Tenor fingerstyle, I don't really know what kind of music is best on a soprano. Would you guys please recommend me some artists and video to show me what a soprano can do? Thanks.

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Ukujiji said:

Thank you guys so much, now I got so many soprano songs to catch up! Discovering Soprano its like the first time I discovered Ukulele. It is so much fun, I played it for 6 hours today, can not put it down. Since it has 17 frets, I could basically play anything. I could play stuff like "while my guitar gently weeps" on this little beast, it is not only fun for me, it actually sounded so damn good!! For some parts I think it sounds better on this Soprano than on my ktm00. Each note is solid, punchy, clear.

This little guy might be my favorite ukulele so far. It just constantly wows me each time I play it.

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Dohle said:

Well, colour me green with jealousy. When I was looking for my first proper soprano uke, I found a shop that still had Martin Style 1 Centennials (they still do actually) but there was no way to find Style 3 Centennials anywhere. Granted, I probably wouldn't have bought such an expensive uke then but today I actually might. Even with my UAS curbed because of my Kiwaya KTS-7, I'm still determined to getting a Martin Style 2 or better one day, vintage or not.

Nice playing btw. I'm sure the Style 3 will suit you well. A couple of people have already mentioned Roy Smeck and George Elmes, of which the latter basically emulates the style of the former. These have become my absolute favourite soprano players, and I highly recommend to check them out.

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