A genuinely special instrument with a story to tell. This C.F. Martin Style 0 soprano dates from the 1960s (confirmed by the internal "Made in USA" stamp) and is personally signed by ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, who played it and declared: "Wow, that's one loud ukulele."
The Instrument:
- All-mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge
- Back repairs: two repaired cracks and one small replaced wood piece — all stable and well executed. See photos
- Apparently original finish; possibly some overspray on back from a previous repair
- Original bridge and tuners, functioning well
- Plays beautifully — excellent intonation all the way up the board, comfortable action (~1.5mm at 12th fret)
The Special Stuff:
- Adorned with a gorgeous vintage hula girl water decal, believed to date from the 1940s — a charming piece of Hawaiian Americana
- Signed "Aloha! Jake" by Jake Shimabukuro on the body, circa 2005, when he played it at a free concert at a New York City bookstore promoting a new album. He picked it up, played a Beatles song, and pronounced it "one loud ukulele."
- The chipboard case (great condition) is also signed "Aloha! Jake"
Sound & Playability: This is a real player's ukulele. It's loud — noticeably so for a soprano — with a crisp, focused tone and real projection. Intonation is true all the way up the board, and the action is comfortable at approximately 1.5mm at the 12th fret. It rewards good technique and holds its own in a room. Jake Shimabukuro wasn't wrong.
Martin Style 0s are solid, well-built instruments — and this one has character and provenance well beyond its modest origins. A great player and a genuine collectible.
The ukulele will be carefully packed, fully insured and shipped with signature confirmation.
Shipping: $75 flat rate within the continental USA.
International shipping is available. Exact shipping cost will be determined after the auction based on destination and service requirements.
Please examine all photos carefully and feel free to ask questions.