1919 Unknown Koa Wood

$800.00

  • Year: 1919
  • Manufacturer: Unknown
  • Model: Koa Wood
  • Case: None
  • Color: natural
  • Condition: Excellent
  • Description: Retrfofret Stock # 4416. Koa Wood Model Concert Ukulele (maker unknown), c. 1919, made in Chicago, natural finish, koa wood body and neck, rosewood fingerboard. This is an interesting and rather rare early Concert sized uke, likely made in Chicago although of the native Hawaiian style. A sticker inside reads "genuine Koa Wood" and that appears to be actually the case! The neck is slimmer than the usual Hawaiian practice and the heel is the one-piece American style, otherwise this is a relatively close copy of a typical period Hawaiian instrument. With "Zipper" binding on the top and soundhole, Champion banjo pegs and nicely grained woods overall this is a high quality instrument with a good sound. It is rare to encounter factory-made ukes of this era in other than soprano size, making this an especially interesting find.Overall length is 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm.), 7 7/8 in. (20 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.). All original with a heavy age patina; one rather sloppily repaired back crack (probably long ago) but no other repairs. A very good sounding playing and sounding early large-body uke. Generally Excellent Condition.