Acquired Martin (or other) Soprano Ukulele - under $500

[mingus]

Well, my anniversary is coming up, and my wife is willing to buy me a soprano for UNDER $500.

Anybody have a vintage style 0 they would be will to part with for that price?

(Honestly, open to any soprano - especially Martin copies like Kiwaya/Luna)

 

[EDW]

Here is a nice one

Martin Style 0 1920s - Mahogany Satin | Reverb

This nearly 100 year old instrument is in very good shape. Various shallow scratches and a few nicks but no repaired cracks..I repair was done to one of the string slots on the bridge by Vintage Instruments in Philadephia. New martin strings..Fret board and frets intact. Tuners originals and wo...

reverb.com

 

[mingus]

Here is a nice one

Martin Style 0 1920s - Mahogany Satin | Reverb

This nearly 100 year old instrument is in very good shape. Various shallow scratches and a few nicks but no repaired cracks..I repair was done to one of the string slots on the bridge by Vintage Instruments in Philadephia. New martin strings..Fret board and frets intact. Tuners originals and wo...

reverb.com

Yep, tried that one, but my wife has firm price parameters. Has to be under $500!

 

[Junie Moon]

Yep, tried that one, but my wife has firm price parameters. Has to be under $500!

That's a nice gift from your wife! The price has dropped from $650 to $500. Not sure how recently. Free shipping.
By firmly under $500 do you mean $499 is okay? I'll mail her a buck to make up the difference.

 

[EDW]

Yep, tried that one, but my wife has firm price parameters. Has to be under $500!

It is currently listed at 500. Maybe you can make an offer and get a few bucks off. It has been on there for a while. I believe I first saw that listed there in January

 

[mingus]

It is currently listed at 500. Maybe you can make an offer and get a few bucks off. It has been on there for a while. I believe I first saw that listed there in January

I actually offered $475, and the owner rejected my offer.

I need to keep it under $500 total. Once tax is calculated, I’d be looking at $550.

 

[EDW]

By firmly under $500 do you mean $499 is okay? I'll mail her a buck to make up the difference.

I was thinking the same thing!

 

[EDW]

Maybe check on this one

No longer available - Another reduction, now $450 Martin 0 soprano, circa 1946-1956

. Up for sale is a nice condition Martin 0 soprano, circa 1946-1956. I deduced its age based on when I was thinking of buying this uke here from feedback from others who are in the know . It is very nice, and a bit different than many Martin 0 in that it is a bit lighter wood. It plays very...

forum.ukuleleunderground.com

 

[Graham Greenbag]

Well, my anniversary is coming up, and my wife is willing to buy me a soprano for UNDER $500.

Anybody have a vintage style 0 they would be will to part with for that price?

(Honestly, open to any soprano - especially Martin copies like Kiwaya/Luna)

I suspect that even in the USA you’ll struggle to get a vintage Martin at that price (before sales tax of about $460?) but as you‘re open to other things then it’s a puzzle as to why you haven’t been deluged with sensible offers. What’s the price of a new S1 in the USA, the Ohana SK38 is well liked and what would say Bradford Donaldson charge you for a plain Martin clone? IIRC he once was very competitive, but maybe he’s battling rising costs now or focused on more expensive instruments.

Just some thoughts that I hope are helpful.

 

[DuckyI]

Here are two nice luthier options from Rob Collins (Tinguitar) in the UK, coming in at $365 which should allow for shipping to the USA.

 

[mlolya]

I assume you don’t want a Martin S1 Mexican. They are under $500 new.

 

[hendulele]

Here are two nice luthier options from Rob Collins (Tinguitar) in the UK, coming in at $365 which should allow for shipping to the USA.

I’ve not had the chance to play one of them, but I do own a Timms Style 0 replica, and @bazmaz has said he rates his Collins above the Timms.

 

[Ukecaster]

This one on eBay for $395, offered by Lucy's Ukes, a well regarded dealer, I've gotten lots of strings there.

Old Martin Style-0 Mahogany Soprano Ukulele 1960's W / Chipboard Case | eBay

1960's Martin Style-0 Soprano Ukulele W / Chipboard Case. Black Chipboard Case Included - Good working condition >. Rosewood fingerboard. Mahogany body and neck. Warm mahogany wood sound - Sound loud and clear !

www.ebay.com

 

[EDW]

This one on eBay for $395, offered by Lucy's Ukes, a well regarded dealer, I've gotten lots of strings there.

Looks like a good deal. I have also had positive experience with that seller. I believe it is also on Reverb

 

[ScooterD35]

Here you go… Martin S1K solid Koa Soprano at $499 or best offer with free shipping. I would absolutely jump on this one!

Martin S1K Uke Koa Soprano Ukulele w/ Gig Bag | eBay

Martin has been making soprano ukuleles since 1915, and they were fashioned after the first ukuleles that originated in Hawaii back in the 1880s. The smallest-sized ukulele we make, this soprano-sized model features a top, back, and sides that are crafted of koa, a wood native to Hawaii and a...

www.ebay.com

Scooter

 

[Ukecaster]

Here you go… Martin S1K solid Koa Soprano at $499 or best offer with free shipping. I would absolutely jump on this one!

Martin S1K Uke Koa Soprano Ukulele w/ Gig Bag | eBay

Martin has been making soprano ukuleles since 1915, and they were fashioned after the first ukuleles that originated in Hawaii back in the 1880s. The smallest-sized ukulele we make, this soprano-sized model features a top, back, and sides that are crafted of koa, a wood native to Hawaii and a...

www.ebay.com

Scooter

Those specs say 34.1mm nut width, which surprised me, since most modern Martin sops I've seen are 36mm.

 

[man0a]

Those specs say 34.1mm nut width, which surprised me, since most modern Martin sops I've seen are 36mm.

The Martin website says the nut width is 1 11/32", which is 34.1mm. I have never played one, so cannot verify. I agree that other modern Martin sopranos are usually 36mm.

 

[Graham Greenbag]

The Martin website says the nut width is 1 11/32", which is 34.1mm. I have never played one, so cannot verify. I agree that other modern Martin sopranos are usually 36mm.

I think that you might have misread, try 1&13/32”.

Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele | Martin Guitar

Shop S1 Uke and other Martin Guitar apparel, accessories, and guitar straps!

www.martinguitar.com

I also note the price of $399 … several new ones available on eBay at around that price including delivery.

martin ukulele soprano s 1 for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for martin ukulele soprano s 1 at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

 

[man0a]

I think that you might have misread, try 1&13/32”.

Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele | Martin Guitar

Shop S1 Uke and other Martin Guitar apparel, accessories, and guitar straps!

www.martinguitar.com

I also note the price of $399 … wonder about that.

I was replying to a question about the Martin S1K (koa) which is different from the Martin S1 (mahogany). I do not know why they would use different neck shapes for the 2 instruments or if the specs on the website are accurate.

 

[MattyNaylor]

Martin Style 0 Soprano Ukulele (c.1925)

This historic Style 0 soprano ukulele features an all-mahogany body and neck with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, tuned with ebony violin friction pegs. Original canvas bag. Made in USA. (2 back cracks and 1 top crack need glue/cleats, etc. - sold AS-IS)

www.elderly.com