Taropatch

ALTERNATE NAME(S)

Taro patch fiddle
Taro patch ukulele
Soprano taropatch

Date1920 ca.

Place MadeLos Angeles, California, United States, North America

SignedNoneDescriptionThe taropatch is an 8-string, 4-course version of the ukulele. This instrument, made of koa wood, is attributed to Leonardo Nunes, the son of Manuel Nunes, one of the inventors of the ukulele. It may have been made after he moved to Los Angeles. Fret markers, present on this taropatch, are more typical of continental-made ukuleles.

Stringing: 4 courses; 8 gut strings
Soundboard: one-piece koa, the grain angled from treble to bass
Back: one-piece koa, faint narrow curl; the grain angled from bass to treble
Ribs: two-piece koa, rosewood end graft wider at top than bottom
Head: koa; integral with neck; shield-shaped upper end with rounded middle part
Neck: koa; integral with head
Heel cap: integral with back
Binding: none
Fretboard: integral with neck; 12 brass frets; white abalone inlay behind 5th, 7th, and 10th frets
Nut: bone
Bridge: koa; bone saddle; strings fit in notches on lower edge
Tuners: eight koa
Rosette: three narrow light hardwood strips, set in from edge and with space between each
Varnish: clear
Linings: kerfed koa or other medium brown tropical hardwood; the kerfs facing inward toward ribs
Neck block: koa or mahogany with chamfered corners; reciprocating saw marks visible on face
End block: koa or mahogany with chamfered corners; reciprocating saw marks visible on face
Top braces: three softwood transverse braces with tapered ends, one each in upper, center, and lower bouts, the ends set into linings
Back braces: two light hardwood braces with tapered ends set into linings, one each above and below soundhole
DimensionsTotal taropatch length: 611 mm (24-1/16″)
Back length: 270 mm (10-5/8″)
Upper bout width: 144 mm (5-21/32″)
Waist width: 106 mm (4-5/32″)
Lower bout width: 189 mm (7-7/16″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 54 mm (2-1/8″)
Rib height, at waist: 62 mm (2-7/16″)
Rib height, at end block: 65 mm (2-9/16″)
Head length: 158 mm (6-7/32″)
Head width, top: 61 mm (2-13/32″)
Head width, bottom: 50 mm (1-31/32″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 183 mm (7-3/16″)
Neck width, nut: 38 mm (1-1/2″)
Neck width, heel: 51 mm (2″)
Soundhole diameter: 47 mm (1-27/32″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 371 mm (14-5/8″)
Scale length: 366 mm (14-13/32″)ProvenanceNo known provenance.

Credit LineGift of Donna J. Curry, 2021

Object number15606

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