Soprano ukulele

Date1920 ca.

Place MadeCalifornia, United States, North America

Place MadeHawaii, United States, North America

Serial No.none

Signednone
Markingsnone
DescriptionThis instrument is similar to those made by Leonardo Nunes in Los Angeles.
Tom Walsh suggests that this instrument resembles a group of similar ukuleles whose manufacturer is currently unknown.

Stringing: four gut strings
Soundboard: one-piece koa
Back: one-piece koa; slightly arched back
Ribs: two-piece koa; koa end graft
Head: koa; integral with neck; shield-shaped upper end
Neck: koa; integral with head; neck heel is separate piece
Heel cap: integral with back
Binding: none
Fretboard: integral with neck; 12 nickel-silver frets
Nut: light hardwood
Bridge: koa; integral saddle; strings fit in notches on lower edge
Tuners: missing
Rosette: three thin light hardwood strips
Varnish: clear
Linings: light hardwood kerfed on inside
Neck block: integral with neck; wider at top
End block: koa; wide
Top braces: spruce transverse braces with tapered ends above and below soundhole
Back braces: one spruce back brace with slightly tapered ends in lower bout
DimensionsTotal ukulele length: 511 mm (20-3/32″)
Back length: 233 mm (9-5/32″)
Upper bout width: 127 mm (5″)
Waist width: 88 mm (3-7/16″)
Lower bout width: 156 mm (6-1/8″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 46 mm (1-25/32″)
Rib height, at waist: 52 mm (2-5/32″)
Rib height, at end block: 56 mm (2-1/16″)
Head length: 111 mm (4-3/8″)
Head width, top: 55 mm (2-5/32″)
Head width, bottom: 47 mm (1-27/32″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 168 mm (6-19/32″)
Neck width, nut: 35 mm (1-3/8″)
Neck width, heel: 48 mm (1-29/32″)
Soundhole diameter: 43 mm (1-11/16″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 337 mm (13-1/4″)

Credit LineGift of Lynn Wheelwright, 2009

Object number14416

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