Griffin Ukuleles
  • Home
  • About
  • Woods
  • Available Instruments
  • Construction
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • testimonials
  • Ukulele Stuff
  • Untitled

ANTIQUE UKES IN THE SHOP

11/12/2015

3 Comments

 
Picture
I had a pleasant surprise yesterday when a nice lady named Viva called and asked if I could look at her old family ukes to see if they could be brought back to life.  I invited her over and look what she brought.
Her grandfathers Martin soprano and her fathers Favilla Baritone.  
The Favilla was in perfect condition, even the tuners were OK, a little stiff but working fine.  I happened to have an extra set of Aquila Baritone strings so we put them on, tuned them up and Viva was playing a very nice old Favilla as I turned my attention to the Martin.
Picture
The Martin needs a little help.  The the old plastic tuner buttons had deteriorated and crumbled away so the tuners are useless unless she can find some modern replacement buttons.  I suspect someone, somewhere is making them as it must be a normal problem with these old Martins.  This one probably dates from the twenties.  It is really in OK shape except for a long crack on the side of the lower bout that has been repaired with a sloppy epoxy job.  I am sure that with renovated or new tuners this will also be a sweet player.  I had some tuners that would have worked but the shafts were a tiny bit larger and I did not want to drill the holes in the peg head of this old classic any larger.  Hopefully Viva can find replacement buttons and use the old tuner hardware.  It was fun to see these old ukes and to help a nice gal a bit.
3 Comments
nadine heald
11/12/2015 10:53:03 pm

really enjoy your "sharing" tales w/us......very professional, and always interesting,,even tho I'm not a player....but, every "artist" deserves an audience.....and I play that role, very well............nph

Reply
Brian griffin link
11/12/2015 10:57:35 pm

Thanks Nadine, I greatly appreciate your comments-nice to know someone is out there reading the blog. I enjoy writing it, usually a late at night adventure
Brian

Reply
Patrick Madsen
11/12/2015 11:26:27 pm

The Favilla Baritone is especially special. Many prefer it over the Martin Baritone.

If no stamp or label inside it's between 1946-'53.

Wow, those are a couple of very special instruments. It should be relatively easy to find tuners for the Martin. Tom Hodge or Michael Flaherty may have a set.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.