Wife dragged me to estate sale to help load truck with goodies. I was given this Uku and just curious if anyone can give me an idea of age & manufacturer?
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i disagree with Uncle on tuners. Pegs or friction tuners are correct tuners for old Ukes. They work goof for gut strings. Violin type pegs are most common even on the best old Ukes. I have wonderful Ukes with these tuners and they hold tune for very long times. Very playable. To convert to steel strings you would change to machines. I can’t tell which brand. It is not a Regal. Wrong head. It looks solid Mahogany. Might be a Gibson but the fretboard looks wider than Gibson’s. Might be Kamaka but the head would have pointier crown. There are very many makers. Many unbranded without labels or badges. It’s not a Washburn Healy. It looks old. I’d say 30’s or 40’s. Nice looking Uke.
I had one that had that headstock branded Kay.,.,ask Dave Lynas.,.,he has about 200 laying around and I bet he has seen a few of these.,.,just a thought.,.,
Very cool find. I can't ID it (see Uncle John's post), but it's certainly old and looks like a solid top. (JMHO: personally, I wouldn't switch away from friction tuners.)
Google “vintage old antique uke identification” will bring up info.
Thanks BH & UJ! I like the wood handled tuners, was hopping to keep them. One is damaged where the string threads through, but maybe able to drill a new hole. Good idea about eBay search.
I agree with Bluesheart. There were MANY uke makers back in the uke craze days. This looks both good and typical. I hope you use geared tuners and make it a player.
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Thanks Dave for your input! I'm planing on keeping the friction tuners.
i disagree with Uncle on tuners. Pegs or friction tuners are correct tuners for old Ukes. They work goof for gut strings. Violin type pegs are most common even on the best old Ukes. I have wonderful Ukes with these tuners and they hold tune for very long times. Very playable. To convert to steel strings you would change to machines. I can’t tell which brand. It is not a Regal. Wrong head. It looks solid Mahogany. Might be a Gibson but the fretboard looks wider than Gibson’s. Might be Kamaka but the head would have pointier crown. There are very many makers. Many unbranded without labels or badges. It’s not a Washburn Healy. It looks old. I’d say 30’s or 40’s. Nice looking Uke.
Thanks Jim & Jerry! I'll checkout those links & sources.
I had one that had that headstock branded Kay.,.,ask Dave Lynas.,.,he has about 200 laying around and I bet he has seen a few of these.,.,just a thought.,.,
Very cool find.
I can't ID it (see Uncle John's post), but it's certainly old and looks like a solid top.
(JMHO: personally, I wouldn't switch away from friction tuners.)
Google “vintage old antique uke identification” will bring up info.
Coupla' quick identification sources you might check with:
http://www.ukulele.org/?Vintage_Ukulele_Q_%26amp%3B_A
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/
For Violins, etc./Most Likely Wouldn't Fit, Dept:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_st_price-asc-rank?keywords=wood+tun...
Any real vintage uke/guitar restorers in your area?
Thanks BH & UJ! I like the wood handled tuners, was hopping to keep them. One is damaged where the string threads through, but maybe able to drill a new hole. Good idea about eBay search.
I agree with Bluesheart. There were MANY uke makers back in the uke craze days. This looks both good and typical. I hope you use geared tuners and make it a player.
You could look at vintage ukes on ebay for clues.
Nope but it looks like a great find!