Hawaiian Style Soprano Ukulele, most likely made by Harmony , c. 1920
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Item # 9975
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Hawaiian Style Model Soprano Ukulele, most likely made by Harmony, c. 1920, probably Chicago, natural varnish finish, koa wood body, mahogany neck with koa veneer on headstock., black tolex hard shell case.
This is a very nice example of an early mainland-built "Hawaiian" style ukulele, a very popular item about 100 years ago. This one was most likely made Harmony, a company Sears had purchased in the 1910s for the express purpose of getting inexpensive ukes (and guitars) to market. It is stamped "USA" on neck block, possibly related to a lawsuit brought in the 1910s by the chamber of commerce in Hawaii regarding so-called "Hawaiian" ukes being built on the mainland! This uke has seen some repair work but has lasted pretty well despite being made to a relative budget price over a century ago.
The body appears to be made of genuine Hawaiian Koa wood, while the neck is mahogany with a koa headstock veneer. The top is bound with alternating wood trim in the Hawaiian manner, with the same decoration on the sound hole ring. The back is slightly arched, another feature typical of actual Hawaiian instruments. The pegs are early spring-loaded Grover friction units with black buttons, quite fancy for an instrument of this type and probably a period addition rather than factory equipment.
This style of ukulele was made in Chicago in large numbers by Harmony, Regal, Slingerland, and others in the late 'teens and early 'twenties and sold through mail order catalogs, music stores, and retail outlets around the country during the first part of the "Uke Craze" of the '20s. This is a higher-grade example than many, well made with a sound rivaling many actual Hawaiian instruments. It has two internal labels, one is mostly missing and the other somewhat obscured but it states "This instrument is sold by A.M Opie, Musician and Teacher" with a New Brunswick, NJ address.
Overall length is 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.), 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This uke shows minor wear and some more serious but very well-executed repairs; it remains in excellent playing condition. There is a long repaired side crack running through the neck block down to each waist, very solidly sealed but visible. The back shows a cracked area in the center, again visibly repaired with some topical overfinish. The top is crack free, the bridge original but re-glued some time ago.
The finish shows dings and scrapes but the uke does not appear too much played since new. The fingerboard has some wear in the first position. The original workmanship is neater than some of these "Chicago Hawaiians" (they made a LOT of these about a century back) and it seems Mr. Opie made a careful choice in instruments to sell to his students. This uke actually plays very well and sounds excellent, which is often not the case with these. Even considering the repairs this is a nice playable piece of history, and a surprisingly good ukulele considering its origins. A modern hard case is included. Excellent - Condition.
This is a very nice example of an early mainland-built "Hawaiian" style ukulele, a very popular item about 100 years ago. This one was most likely made Harmony, a company Sears had purchased in the 1910s for the express purpose of getting inexpensive ukes (and guitars) to market. It is stamped "USA" on neck block, possibly related to a lawsuit brought in the 1910s by the chamber of commerce in Hawaii regarding so-called "Hawaiian" ukes being built on the mainland! This uke has seen some repair work but has lasted pretty well despite being made to a relative budget price over a century ago.
The body appears to be made of genuine Hawaiian Koa wood, while the neck is mahogany with a koa headstock veneer. The top is bound with alternating wood trim in the Hawaiian manner, with the same decoration on the sound hole ring. The back is slightly arched, another feature typical of actual Hawaiian instruments. The pegs are early spring-loaded Grover friction units with black buttons, quite fancy for an instrument of this type and probably a period addition rather than factory equipment.
This style of ukulele was made in Chicago in large numbers by Harmony, Regal, Slingerland, and others in the late 'teens and early 'twenties and sold through mail order catalogs, music stores, and retail outlets around the country during the first part of the "Uke Craze" of the '20s. This is a higher-grade example than many, well made with a sound rivaling many actual Hawaiian instruments. It has two internal labels, one is mostly missing and the other somewhat obscured but it states "This instrument is sold by A.M Opie, Musician and Teacher" with a New Brunswick, NJ address.
Overall length is 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.), 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This uke shows minor wear and some more serious but very well-executed repairs; it remains in excellent playing condition. There is a long repaired side crack running through the neck block down to each waist, very solidly sealed but visible. The back shows a cracked area in the center, again visibly repaired with some topical overfinish. The top is crack free, the bridge original but re-glued some time ago.
The finish shows dings and scrapes but the uke does not appear too much played since new. The fingerboard has some wear in the first position. The original workmanship is neater than some of these "Chicago Hawaiians" (they made a LOT of these about a century back) and it seems Mr. Opie made a careful choice in instruments to sell to his students. This uke actually plays very well and sounds excellent, which is often not the case with these. Even considering the repairs this is a nice playable piece of history, and a surprisingly good ukulele considering its origins. A modern hard case is included. Excellent - Condition.