Hawaiian Mahogany Company Echo-Uke Soprano Ukulele (1920s)
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Hawaiian Mahogany Company Echo-Uke Model Soprano Ukulele (1920s), made in Hawaii, natural varnish finish, koa wood body and neck, brown chipboard case.
This plain but elegant "Echo-Uke" looks to date to the early/mid-1920s, built with the original narrow-waisted Hawaiian shape. It is made entirely of Koa in the native style and branded with the Hawaiian crest on the headstock with a label under the soundhole reading "Deep Toned ECHO UKE 10 year old koa wood" and "Made in Hawaii" prominently noted. The builder is listed as the Hawaiian Mahogany Company. This uke was likely originally sold out as a souvenir of the islands but is a quality instrument, actually more neatly made than many genuine Hawaiian instruments.
Overall length is 21 in. (53.3 cm.), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 5/8 in. (346 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This uke is in nice condition for a 100-or-so year old piece; there are long sealed crack repairs to the sides and top but all are completely solid, with bias tape reinforcement on the inner sides. As with all of these the bridge has been reglued. Some Echo-Ukes had a spring attached under the top to create an "echo' effect; this one has no signs of that but if ever there it is long gone.
The uke appears original except mainland style friction pegs that were probably fitted long ago in place of wooden violin style tuners. The finish has some minor wear but as with most 1920s koa ukes the sound is excellent and this is still a lovely souvenir of the early era of the Ukulele, as well as a nice playable instrument. It is housed in an older but not period chipboard case. Very Good + Condition.
This plain but elegant "Echo-Uke" looks to date to the early/mid-1920s, built with the original narrow-waisted Hawaiian shape. It is made entirely of Koa in the native style and branded with the Hawaiian crest on the headstock with a label under the soundhole reading "Deep Toned ECHO UKE 10 year old koa wood" and "Made in Hawaii" prominently noted. The builder is listed as the Hawaiian Mahogany Company. This uke was likely originally sold out as a souvenir of the islands but is a quality instrument, actually more neatly made than many genuine Hawaiian instruments.
Overall length is 21 in. (53.3 cm.), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 5/8 in. (346 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This uke is in nice condition for a 100-or-so year old piece; there are long sealed crack repairs to the sides and top but all are completely solid, with bias tape reinforcement on the inner sides. As with all of these the bridge has been reglued. Some Echo-Ukes had a spring attached under the top to create an "echo' effect; this one has no signs of that but if ever there it is long gone.
The uke appears original except mainland style friction pegs that were probably fitted long ago in place of wooden violin style tuners. The finish has some minor wear but as with most 1920s koa ukes the sound is excellent and this is still a lovely souvenir of the early era of the Ukulele, as well as a nice playable instrument. It is housed in an older but not period chipboard case. Very Good + Condition.