Soprano ukulele
Date1920-1940 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsthe handle is engraved: 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 back
DimensionsTotal 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″)
Credit LineGift of Arne B. Larson, 1988
Object number04334
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