Taropatch

Alternate name(s)

8-string, Double-Course Ukulele
Taro-patch

Date1925-1927 ca.

Place MadeNazareth, Pennsylvania, United States, North America

ModelStyle 1K

Serial No.none

SignedBranded on inside of back above upper brace and on back of head: (lettering curved downward at each end) C.F.MARTIN & Co / — ∙ — / NAZARETH, PA.
DescriptionStringing: eight gut strings
Soundboard: one-piece koa
Back: one-piece koa
Ribs: two-piece koa; lower ribs divided by thin rosewood strip
Head: mahogany; integral with neck; shield-shaped upper end
Neck: mahogany; integral with head
Heel cap: none
Binding: rosewood; two-ply light and dark hardwood strip trim on top
Fretboard: rosewood; 12 nickel-silver bar frets; small ivoroid dots behind 5thand 10th frets; small double ivoroid dots
Nut: ebony
Bridge: koa; ebony saddle; strings fit in notches on lower edge
Tuners: nickel-plated steel tension pegs with black plastic heads; later (check if holes are tapered - if so pre-1927 and intended for friction tuners)
Rosette: five-ply dark and light hardwood strips set in from soundhole edge
Finish: clear; later
Linings: kerfed mahogany
Neck block: mahogany; beveled corners
End block: mahogany
Top braces: two spruce transverse braces with tapered ends above and below soundhole, the lower one later; three scalloped spruce fan braces; spruce bridge plate
Back braces: two later spruce transverse braces, one each at center and lower bouts, in non-original positions
DimensionsTotal ukulele length: 638 mm (20-13/16″)
Back length: 279 mm (9-13/32″)
Upper bout width: 148 mm (4-15/16″)
Waist width: 119 mm (4″)
Lower bout width: 198 mm (6-13/32″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 60 mm (2″)
Rib height, at waist: 67 mm (2-9/32″)
Rib height, at end block: 69 mm (2-1/4″)
Head length: 173 mm (4-23/32″)
Head width, top: 64 mm (2-13/32″)
Head width, bottom: 50 mm (1-29/32″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 190 mm (6-29/32″)
Neck width, nut: 39 mm (1-3/8″)
Neck width, heel: 55 mm (1-25/32″)
Soundhole diameter: 52 mm (1-23/32″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 386 mm (13-21/32″)

Credit LineGeoffrey Robert Rezek Collection, 2013

Object number14736

On View

Not on view