Soprano ukulele

Date1942 ca.

Place MadeNazareth, Pennsylvania, United States, North America

ModelStyle 3

Serial No.None

SignedGold and black decal on head: [lettering curved downward at each end] C.F.MARTIN & Co. / EST. 1833

Branded on inside of back above upper brace: [lettering curved downward at each end]: C.F.MARTIN & Co [letter o underlined and superscript] / — · — / NAZARETH, PA.DescriptionThis high-end Martin ukulele originally belonged to Major Oliver Franklin Bush, Jr., M.D. while a Base Surgeon at the Army Air Base in Kahuku, Hawaii, 1943-1947.

Stringing: four gut strings
Soundboard: one-piece mahogany
Back: one-piece mahogany
Ribs: two-piece mahogany
Head: mahogany; integral with neck; shield-shaped upper end
Neck: mahogany; integral with head
Heel cap: none; heel set in from back
Binding: ivory celluloid on top and back; six-ply alternating ivory and black celluloid strip trim on top; two-ply ivory and black celluloid strip trim on back
Fretboard: ebony; five-ply alternating ivory and ebony strip trim inlaid along center; 17 nickel-silver bar frets; two small ivoroid dots, one on each side of center strip, behind 5th, 7th, and 10th frets; small ivoroid side dots 5th, 7th, and 10th frets
Nut: ivory
Bridge: mahogany; ivory saddle; strings fit in notches on lower edge
Tuners: nickel-plated steel tension pegs with white plastic heads
Rosette: nine-ply black and ivory celluloid strips set in from edge
Finish: clear
Linings: kerfed mahogany
Neck block: mahogany; beveled corners
End block: mahogany; beveled corners
Top braces: two spruce transverse braces of low height with tapered ends above and below soundhole; mahogany bridge plate
Back braces: two spruce transverse braces of low height, one each at center and lower boutsDimensionsTotal soprano ukulele length: 538 mm (21-3/16″)
Back length: 239 mm (9-13/32″)
Upper bout width: 127 mm (5″)
Waist width: 101 mm (3-31/32″)
Lower bout width: 162 mm (6-3/8″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 49 mm (1-15/16″)
Rib height, at waist: 56 mm (2-3/16″)
Rib height, at end block: 57 mm (2-1/4″)
Head length: 122 mm (4-13/16″)
Head width, top: 59 mm (2-5/16″)
Head width, bottom: 46 mm (1-13/16″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 174 mm (6-27/32″)
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): 347 mm (13-21/32″)
Scale length: 346 mm (13-5/8″)ProvenanceThis instrument was purchased by "Mike" Bush - Major Oliver Franklin Bush, Jr., M.D. - while a Base Surgeon at the Army Air Base in Kahuku, Hawaii, 1943-1947. Donna Curry purchased it from Mike Bush while both families were living in Santa Fe, NM during the last half of the 1990s.

Credit LineGift of Donna J. Curry, 2021

Object number15605

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