Soprano ukulele
Maker
Jonah Kumalae
Date1918-1922 ca.
Place MadeHonolulu, Hawaii, United States, North America
ModelModel D or 4
Serial No.none
SignedPrinted on paper label: JONAH KUMALAE / Manufacturer of UKULELES / Awarded Gold Medal for Ukuleles and Taro Patches at P. P. L. Exposition / KUMALAE [Seal of Hawaii: crown over shield with soldiers on each side, enclosed in circle with motto of the Hawaiian kingdom below “UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO” translated “The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness” and drapery] HAWAII / PHONE 2384 1419 LILIHA ST. HONOLULURed, blue, tan, black, and gold decal on head: KUMALE / GOLD AWARD / P. P. I. E. 1915 / [in banner blow Seal of Hawaii] UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO / HAWAII
MarkingsWritten in pencil on inside of back, under label: 2/e
Written in pencil on inside of top, under braces: 34
DescriptionJonah Kumalae was a Native Hawaiian businessman, musician, and politician who started producing ukuleles in 1911. He won a gold medal at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, which contributed to a boom in ukulele sales for Kumalae. Unlike the earliest Portuguese ukulele makers in Hawaii, Kumalae operated a prolific commercial factory. His output represents a high-quality but mass-produced Hawaiian ukulele.
Stringing: four gut strings
Soundboard: one-piece koa, faint narrow curl
Back: one-piece koa, faint narrow curl
Ribs: two-piece koa, light hardwood 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: angled, alternating pieces of koa and light hardwood with light hardwood strip trim, on top only
Fretboard: integral with neck; 12 brass frets; two center strips comprised of angled, alternating pieces of koa and light hardwood, each surrounded on both sides with light hardwood strip
Nut: light hardwood
Bridge: koa; integral saddle; strings fit in notches on lower edge
Tuners: three original turned pegs made from dark, tropical hardwood with open pores; one later light hardwood peg
Rosette: angled, alternating pieces of koa and light hardwood surrounded on each side with light hardwood strip trim; two light hardwood rings set in from rosette, one on each side with space between
Varnish: light golden
Linings: dark-stained hardwood
Neck block: integral with neck; wider at top; reciprocating saw marks visible on face
End block: softwood; narrow
Top braces: softwood transverse braces with tapered ends above and below soundhole; light hardwood bridge plate
Back braces: one light wood back brace with slightly tapered ends
DimensionsTotal ukulele length: 524 mm (20-5/8″)
Back length: 236 mm (9-9/32″)
Upper bout width: 117 mm (4-3/16″)
Waist width: 89 mm (3-1/2″)
Lower bout width: 152 mm (6″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 47 mm (1-27/32″)
Rib height, at waist: 55 mm (2-5/32″)
Rib height, at end block: 64 mm (2-1/2″)
Head length: 126 mm (4-15/16″)
Head width, top: 53 mm (2-3/32″)
Head width, bottom: 49 mm (1-15/16″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 165 mm (6-1/2″)
Neck width, nut: 33 mm (1-5/32″)
Neck width, heel: 46 mm (1-25/32″)
Soundhole diameter: 44 mm (1-23/32″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 329 mm (12-15/16″)
Credit LinePaul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006
Object number11256
On View
On view
1973
1920 ca.