Tiki King's Ukulele Database:
Martin
Established in 1833 by German emigre C.F. Martin. The older Martin Ukuleles are considered by most to be the best. Martin ukuleles were in highest production from 1922 (some say 1916) to the 1930's (hitting their peak in 1926, with over 14,000 made). Martin made Ukes in five different models: Style 0, Style 1, Style 2, Style 3 and Style 5, in both mahogany and Koa. Martin also made Ukuleles for other companies, such as Oliver Ditson, Montgomery Ward and Belltone. Below is a chart (courtesy of Sandor Nagyszalanczy) They were manufactured in quantity through the mid 60s, but demand fell off sharply in the late 60s and by the mid 70s, Martin had stopped making ukuleles except by special order. Untill about 2010, The only ukulele Martin made regularly today is the oddly shaped "Backpacker Uke" as well as the SO and HSO Ukulele, but they recently reintroduced the "5K", and in 2011, came out with 8 new sopranos, 2 tenors, and 2 concerts. To help you identify your Martin Uke. For more information on C.F. Martin & Co., go to their web site.
http://www.martinguitar.com
There is also some good Martin history here: www.geocities.com/~ukulele/martin.html
Ukuleles
Style "O"
Mahogany Soprano, made from 1922** to 1977. No binding, simple inlay around sound hole, Ebony Nut in 24, Patent Pegs as of 1927. Original price $10.
Style "1"
Mahogany Soprano, made from 1916 to 1965. Rosewood top binding, Ebony nut and saddle. Dark plastic binding in 1938, Patent Pegs in 1927. Original price $10.
Style "1K"
Koa Soprano, made from 1920 to 1942. Same as style 1, in Koa wood. Original price $14.
Style "2"
Mahogany Soprano, made from 1916 to 1965. Triple (black white black) bound top with Ivoroid outer, single bound back, Patent Pegs in 1923. Original price $15.
Style "2K"
Koa Soprano, Same as style 2 in Koa wood. Original price $17.
Style "3"
Mahogany Soprano, made from 1918 to 1977. 7 layer (white black alt.) bound top with , triple bound back, 17 fret ebony fingerboard with center "skunk" stripe, Ivory nut and saddle, celluloid "shield" ornament at base of soundboard. (eliminated in late 30's) Patent Pegs in 1923, Fretboard strip eliminated sometime in 40's. Use of Ivory discontinued at some point. Original price $25.
Style "3K"
Koa Soprano, made from 1920 to 1938. Same as style 3, in Koa wood. Original price $27.
Style "5K"
Koa Soprano, made from 1922 to 1940, and reissued in 2006. Abalone and Ivoroid bound top and back, Patent Pegs, fancy pearl inlay on 17 fret, Ebony fretboard, Pearl "flower pot" inlay on Koa overlay headstock, Ivory nut and saddle. Use of Ivory discontinued at some point. Original price $50.
Style "5M"
Mahogany Soprano, Same as 5K, in Mahogany
Style "1-C"
Mahogany Concert. Concert scale, made from 1925 to 1965 or 66. Binding and ornaments same as style 1. Had dark plastic binding in 1938. Original price $18.
Style "1-T"
Mahogany Tenor. Concert scale, made from 1925 to 1965 or 66. Binding and ornaments same as style 1, but 17 fret rosewood fretboard, Pin bridge, ivory saddle, and patent pegs. Had dark plastic binding in 1938. Original price $25.
Style "51"
Mahogany Baritone. Made from 1960 to 1977. 21 fret rosewood fretboard, patent pegs, dark plastic binding. Original price $75.
Style "S-O"
Mahogany Soprano. Made in Mexico from late 1990's to around 2010 Like style "O", with a satin finish. Original price $360.
Style "HS-O"
Introduced in Jan 2003. Mahogany Soprano. Made in Mexico, set up at the Nazareth PA Shop. Some improvements, to the construction and finish over the SO above (such as the darker stained mahogany) Original price $700.
Style "S1"
Introduced in 2011. Mahogany Soprano. Made in Mexico, set up at the Nazareth PA Shop.
Backpacker Uke
Soprano Scale with tapered "horn" shaped body. Made in Mexico from mid 1990's to present. Rosewood fretboard, mahogany bridge. No binding. Original price $225.
Taro Patches
(8 strings) Has four sets of two strings, tuned like a standard Ukulele.
Style "1" Taro Patch
Mahogany Concert, made from 1918 to 1931. Same as style 1 Ukes. Patent pegs in 1927. Original price $15.
Style "1K" Taro Patch
Koa Concert, made from 1921 to 1929. Same as style 1K Ukes. Patent pegs in 1927. Original price $18.
Style "2" Taro Patch
Mahogany Concert, made from 1918 to 1929. Same as style 2 Ukes. Patent pegs in 1927. Original price $20.
Style "2K" Taro Patch
Koa Concert, made from 1918 to 1929. Same as style 2K Ukes. Patent pegs in 1927. Original price $22.50.
Style "3" Taro Patch
Koa Concert, made from 1918 to 1929. Same as style 3 Ukes. Patent pegs in 1927. Original price $30.
Style "3K" Taro Patch
Koa Concert, made from 1918 to 1929. Same as style 3K Ukes. Patent pegs in 1927. Original price $32.50.
Tiples
(pronounced "Teep-lay") 10 strings. 2 A's, 3 D's, 3 F's, and 2 B's, with the 2nd A, D, and F tuned an octave down.
Style "T-15"
Mahogany, made from 1949 to 1966. Black and white soundhole inlay, rosewood bridge. Original price $40.
Style "T-17"
Mahogany, made from 1926 to 1948. Black and white soundhole inlay, mahogany bridge. Original price $30.
Style "T-18"
Rosewood and spruce, made from 1924 to mid 1970's. Built and ornamented like a style 18 Guitar, with rosewood bindings, changed to plastic bindings in 1960's. Original price $30.
Style "T-28"
Rosewood and spruce, made from 1923 to mid 1970's. Built and ornamented like a style 28 Guitar Original price $70.
Sizes and Dimensions
Soprano
Total length, 21". Body length 9 7/16". Body width at lower bout, 6 3/8". Scale length 13 5/8".
Concert
Total length, 23 1/4". Body length 11". Body width at lower bout, 7 5/8". Scale length 14 3/4".
Tenor
Total length, 26 1/4". Body length 12 1/16". Body width at lower bout, 8 15/16". Scale length 17".
Baritone
Total length, 30 11/16". Body length 14". Body width at lower bout, 10". Scale length 20 1/8".
Taro Patch
Total length, 25". Body length 11". Body width at lower bout, 7 5/8". Scale length 15".
Tiple
Total length, 27 1/8". Body length 12 1/8". Body width at lower bout, 9". Scale length 17".
**Some accounts claim that the style "O" was first produced in 1916
^^Rare Variations with abalone trim on sides were produced between 1925 and 1927
*** Four string Taro Patch models were available on special order until 1925 when the design went into general production as the 1-C "Concert" Uke
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