Images(3)

Concert ukulele

ALTERNATE NAME(S)

Cigar box ukulele
Concert ukulele

Maker Joel Eckhaus

Maker Earnest Uncommon Musical Instruments

Date2007/05

Serial No.2225

SignedPrinted on paper label with double line border, the serial number, date and maker signature in black ink: 2225 5/07 / Earnest / Uncommon Musical Instruments / Joel Eckhaus / South Portland, Maine

Painted in black ink on head: EarnestMarkingsStamped and painted in green ink on top: PACKED FOR / NASH DE CAMP CO. / BY / WADE T. FINCH / EXETER. CALIF. / EMPERORS WHEN PACKED NEW.WT.28LBS.

Stamped and painted in black ink on back and inside of back [Cuban, after 1930, before 1960s]: PUNCH / [crown over drawn curtain and circle logo] REAL FABRICA DE TABACOS / *PUNCH* / IMPORTED TOBACCO / F.PALACIO,INC. / GRAND CRU

Stamped and painted in black on treble side [Nicaraguan cigars]: Diademas Deluxe

DescriptionA high-end version of the classic cigar box stringed instrument, this concert ukulele is made by boutique builder Joel Eckhaus in Maine from recycled cigar and fruit boxes.

Rectangular body made from three different cigar and fruit boxes.
Stringing: three white nylon and one bronze-overspun steel strings
Soundboard: three-piece softwood cut off-the-quarter, made from fruit box
Back: one-piece cedrela plywood, made from cigar box
Sides: four piece of cedrela with finger joints at corners, made from cigar box; brass hardware set into treble and bass sides
Head: cedrela; veneered with cedrella over green hardwood layer; integral with neck
Neck: cedrela; integral with head; has truss rod
Heel cap: none; heel set in from back
Binding: bone on top only; trim on top only comprised of black-light-green thin hardwood strips
Fretboard: mesquite; 14 nickel-silver T frets; very small white plastic dots behind 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th frets; two very small white plastic dots behind 12th fret; very small white plastic side dots behind 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and 12th frets; green hardwood veneer between fingerboard and neck
Nut: bone
Bridge: maple bridge held on top by tension; strings pass over bridge and terminate at rosewood string holder affixed to lower side with three nickel-plated steel Philips'-head screws
Tuners: four nickel-plated steel tension tuners with black plastic heads
Rosette: none; soundhole is located in upper bass corner
Finish: light brown on body and front of head; dark brown sunburst on neck and back of head;
Linings: none
Neck block: mahogany; beveled corners; truss rod adjuster for allen wrench on neck block face
End block: mahogany; beveled corners
Top braces: three scalloped spruce fan braces in below soundhole, extending over bridge plate; two spruce transverse braces with tapered ends in upper and lower part; wide mahogany bridge plate
Back braces: noneDimensionsTotal concert ukulele length: 597 mm (23-1/2″)
Back length: 276 mm (10-7/8″)
Width: 217 mm (8-17/32″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 50 mm (1-31/32″)
Rib height, at waist: 52 mm (2-1/16″)
Rib height, at end block: 50 mm (1-31/32″)
Head length: 125 mm (4-29/32″)
Head width, top: 59 mm (2-5/16)
Head width, bottom: 53 mm (2-3/32″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 197 mm (7-3/4″)
Neck width, nut: 35 mm (1-3/8″)
Neck width, heel: 45 mm (1-25/32″)
Soundhole diameter: 57 mm (2-1/4″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 397 mm (14-29/32″)
Scale length: 396 mm (14-13/16″)ProvenancePurchased new by the donor.

Credit LineGeoffrey Robert Rezek Collection, 2015

Object number14967

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