I need some info about this vintage SONATA soprano uke

Hi ukers,
I bought this vintage ukulele SONATA today from a guy who bought it a few years ago on eBay (just U$80). He and I live in Brazil (unfortunately) and he doesn't have any more information. The ukulele is stamped with the SONATA brand. The ukulele has already been refurbished with some gloss, but it is solid mahogany. I've had a lot of ukuleles, and this SONATA sounded a lot like the vintage Martin style 0 (60's) I've ever had, both with Martin strings.

Any information about where that ukulele was made? is it from the 60s? 70?

No info? Upset

Did you Google it? I did, and found a couple of things on them, one being a thread here on UU. Apparently it is/was an inexpensive Chinese brand.

https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?85146-Sonata-Ukulele-any-good

Google shows mostly info on sonatas - the music.

Ukecaster said:

Did you Google it? I did, and found a couple of things on them, one being a thread here on UU. Apparently it is/was an inexpensive Chinese brand.

Click to expand...

"Sonata" is a name so generic I doubt it could be trademarked for a musical instrument (although for cars, I suppose that's a different story). Sonata is used on a recent Chinese brand, but OP's uke is clearly older.

I've never seen Sonata on a vintage uke before. Harmony (Chicago) did use the name Sonata on some archtop guitars in the 1940's. And the headstock crown, soundhole binding, and bridge could point to it being a Harmony build, circa late 1940s-early 1950s. On the other hand, the elongation of the headstock is reminiscent of old Gretsch (New York) builds.

Honestly I'm stumped. I feel confident it's a midcentury mainland US build, but that's where my confidence ends.

Thanks river_driver, this uke really feel and sound as a vintage mainland uke, in almost mint condition for the 50's. I'll search for more info with your infos. In the "ukulele hall of fame museum" website I found, today, some Harmony ukes with the this same design and look, but diferente headstock logo design (maybe more ancients).
Thanks again.

I search with the last and another last buyer. This uke have a note with a pencil inscription inside, with this info: Bob 9-19-1952. It's a really vintage, maybe from the 40'. Just to give a return for all.