C. F. Martin Style 3 Model Soprano Ukulele, made in Nazareth, PA, natural finish, mahogany body, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a very clean, fine playing and sounding Martin Style 3 ukulele from the later 1920's, now almost a century old. The Style 3 was offered in mahogany or Koa (as the Model 3K) as the original top of the line Martin ukulele until the advent of the pearl-trimmed Model 5-K in 1923. This Style 3 was still a fancy and fairly expensive ukulele when it was built in the 1920's, and one of the finest ever made to this day.
Martin's Style 3 ukuleles have some unique decorative features that stand out from the crowd. These include a celluloid ornament at the base of the body and the multiple celluloid center stripe down the center of the fingerboard with small pearl diamonds for position inlays. The body is 7-ply bound front and 3-ply back with a multi-ply celluloid soundhole ring; the nut and saddle are bone. This one is finished in the later '20s style, with a very thin sprayed lacquer.
The tuners are the metal shaft Grover #94 Simplex friction pegs introduced in 1927; the instrument dates to between that year and 1932, when a decal logo was added. This was an era of rapidly declining ukulele sales; only about 800 of this version of the Style 3-M were built over this 5-6 year span. The 3M listed at $27.50 in 1928, down from $30 the year before which was still quite expensive for a uke; a pretty good guitar could be had for that price! The model sold in much smaller quantities than the less expensive Style 0's and 1's and is far rarer today, especially in this all-original condition. This is a lovely example and a wonderful player's instrument by any standard.
Overall length is 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.), 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/16 in. (36 mm.).
This is a nicely original uke overall, nearly a century old and showing very little playwear. There are some small dings, scratches and dents overall but the only really notable finish issues are one dink through the finish on the back and a few scratches to the top.
The uke is crack free, which is an unusual and delightful find for an instrument this old. The original bar frets remain in excellent condition. It plays and sounds excellent with the typical superb Martin tone, rich and incisive at the same time. This is a super attractive uke, and a superb player's instrument. It resides in the original HSC, worn but intact. Overall Excellent - Condition.
