Harmony Johnny Marvin Professional Model Tenor Ukulele, c. 1930, made in USA, sunburst lacquer finish, mahogany top, back and sides, rosewood fretboard, pearloid headstock overlay, brown chip board case.
While Harmony is most remembered in the ukulele realm for the thousands of beginner-grade instruments they built from the 1920s through the 1960s, the company also produced some very high-quality ukes. The Johnny Marvin Professional Uke is one of the finest, and a very nicely made instrument. The size is closer to what is now considered a "concert" uke than a full tenor uke. Triple-bound top, single bound back mahogany body, airplane-shaped pin bridge with bone saddle, rosewood fingerboard with 4 pearl dots, and pearloid-covered headstock marked with a multicolor decal "Johnny Marvin Professional Tenor Uke".
Johnny Marvin was a popular ballad singer in the 1920s who started his recording career imitating Ukulele Ike (Cliff Edwards), recording frantically paced vocal/uke records under the name "Honey Duke and his Uke." He later had a very successful run of discs on Victor, many of which featured his ukulele playing. His ukulele rendition of "Twelfth Street Rag" is still copied by ukeists today. Marvin actively used and endorsed this Harmony uke and can be seen playing one in his Vitaphone film performances.
Overall length is 23.5 in. (59.7 cm.), 7.75 in. (19.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2.625 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 14.875 in. (378 mm.).
This instrument is professionally restored, structurally sound, and fully playable. It has quite a few expertly repaired cracks in the top and back, and the bridge pin holes have been slightly enlarged to accommodate larger pins. Sounds and plays excellent. Very Good + Condition.
