Soprano ukulele
Date1930 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States
Serial No.None
SignedNoneMarkingsEngraved on handle: 553DescriptionStringing: four gut stringsSoundboard: one-piece koa, prominent narrow curl
Back: one-piece koa, prominent narrow curl
Ribs: two-piece koa, narrow curl, no end graft
Head: mahogany or Spanish cedar; integral with neck; figure-eight-shaped with pointed end
Neck: mahogany or Spanish cedar; integral with head
Heel cap: none
Binding: angled, alternating strips of light and dark hardwood with single strip of light hardwood trim
Fretboard: integral with neck; 11 nickel-silver-plated brass T-frets; no fret markers; center strip comprised of two strips of angled, alternating strips of light and dark hardwood with single strip of light hardwood trim, arranged to form chevron shape
Nut: rosewood
Bridge: mahogany; integral saddle; strings fit in notches on lower edge; possibly later
Pegs: four nickel-plated steel tension pegs with ivory plastic heads, possibly later
Endpin: none
Rosette: angled, alternating strips of light and dark hardwood surrounded on each side with light hardwood strip trim; light hardwood rings set in on each side of rosette with space between
Varnish: clear; later overspray
Linings: kerfed maple
Neck block: light hardwood, possibly poplar, birch, or willow; reciprocating saw marks visible on face; wood dowel through top block into neck
End block: light hardwood, possibly poplar, birch or willow; reciprocating saw marks visible on face
Top braces: spruce transverse braces with tapered ends above and below soundhole
Back braces: central mahogany transverse brace with tapered ends
Circular saw marks on inside of top and backDimensionsTotal soprano ukulele length: 528 mm (20-25/32″)
Back length: 234 mm (9-7/16″)
Upper bout width: 124 mm (4-7/8″)
Waist width: 91 mm (3-19/32″)
Lower bout width: 153 mm (6-1/32″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 49 mm (1-15/16″)
Rib height, at waist: 57 mm (2-1/4″)
Rib height, at end block: 60 mm (2-3/8″)
Head length: 129 mm (5-3/32″)
Head width, top: 60 mm (2-3/8″)
Head width, bottom: 52 mm (2-1/16″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 165 mm (6-1/2″)
Neck width, nut: 36 mm (1-13/32″)
Neck width, heel: 46 mm (1-13/16″)
Soundhole diameter: 44 mm (1-23/32″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 330 mm (13″)ProvenancePreviously owned by Lyle S. Ourham, Elgin, Nebraska, who passed it along to A. H. Mirchand, also of Elgin. In 1970, Larson obtained it from Mirchand.
Credit LineGift of Arne B. Larson, 1988
Object number04334
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