Famous (1970’s-1990’s laminate-body Kiwaya) construction?

[Oldscruggsfan]

Two questions for you Famous-brand uke owners:
(1) Based on a quick peek through the sound hole, is your uke’s body plywood veneer or is it MDF/ Masonite?
(2) By feeling around with a fountain pen, shortened pencil or snake camera, does your uke have a bridge plate?

My reason for asking is I was surprised to discover that the Famous pineapple I just finished repairing is built from MDF and has no bridge plate. Just wondering if those were Kiwaya’s standard construction practices for the 1990’s- discontinued Famous brand or is there a more interesting story with this uke.

The uke plays just fine, is reasonably loud and action is wonderfully low but, with no bridge plate, there is no way to predict when the new Brad Donaldson bridge will pull away. (Not “if” but “when”.)

 

[TerryM]

I think Kiwaya still make Famous ukes. They're sold in Japan, not exported to the US.

Per their Japanese website on a page listing a Famous soprano for sale , they are plywood laminate. This one in Koa (Hawaiian core).

 

[man0a]

Not all Famous-brand ukuleles are laminate. I have a Famous FLS-1 with a solid mahogany top.

 

[Oldscruggsfan]

I think Kiwaya still make Famous ukes. They're sold in Japan, not exported to the US.

Per their Japanese website on a page listing a Famous soprano for sale , they are plywood laminate. This one in Koa (Hawaiian core).

Per this article, it seems likely that my Famous uke was built around the early- to mid-1980’s which coincided with Louisiana Pacific corporation’s now- infamous and ill- advised mass marketing of MDF boards for exterior lap siding on homes.

 

[TerryM]

Isn't Masonite more like HDF - high density vs. medium density? I think of MDF as the fine chipboard like they use in loudspeaker cabinets. Is that what your uke is made with?(Guess "high" and "medium" are relative, and there's a descriptive range in most things.)

 

[Oldscruggsfan]

Definitely Medium Density, precisely like hi-if speaker cabinet walls.

 

[TerryM]

Definitely Medium Density, precisely like hi-if speaker cabinet walls.

Interesting. It's chosen for speaker cabinets for it's deadness - exactly the opposite of what I'd think you'd want for instrument tops and backs. High strength to weight ratio, though, so maybe easy to get it thin but strong. How does it sound compared to Mr. Tom?

 

[Oldscruggsfan]

I agree. On further inspection, only the back of the body seems to be MDF. Not sure about the sides but the top is definitely plywood with grain veneer & matte finish. Comparisons

Not quite as loud as Tom but part of that is lack of a player port
Sustain is better than Tom.
Tone is bassy-er than Tom but that’s subjective b/c the Famous is strung with Aquilas while Tom has Fremonts.

EDIT- another factor that likely lessens volume on the Famous as compared to Tom is its extremely low action of < 2mm.