I would really like a new Ukulele but made in a vintage style. What makers make Ukuleles similar to the original Portuguese makers or Martin style ukuleles? Ohana has a great vintage line, but are there any others?
Do any modern brands make vintage style ukuleles?
- Thread starter Snowbeast
- Start date
Timms!
Kevin Crossett of Kepasa Ukulele has a great looking Nunes style ukulele.
Madeira Soprano Ukulele
Kepasa Ukulele - Custom ukuleles handmade in Vermont by Kevin Crossett.
www.kepasaukulele.com
Ohana makes Nunes-style ukes that are pretty nifty. The nut is a bit narrow, but they play and sound wonderful.
Yep! I have one, I love it!
No longer in production .
ANUENUE 1879 SOLID KOA SOPRANO - VINTAGE RELIC
https://theukulelesite.com/anuenue-1879-solid-koa-soprano-vintage-relic.html
ANUENUE 1879 SOLID KOA SOPRANO - VINTAGE RELIC
https://theukulelesite.com/anuenue-1879-solid-koa-soprano-vintage-relic.html
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EDW
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DuckyI
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I assume you are looking for a soprano? That is the quintessential vintage size, after all. If you are after a larger size, do say so as that changes what people will suggest.
It would be useful to know your budget. There are some makers who specialise in vintage mainland (Martin) or island (Nunes/Diaz/Kumulae) reproductions but prices can be high, but there are also production options that are less spendy like Ohana that was already mentioned.
It would be useful to know your budget. There are some makers who specialise in vintage mainland (Martin) or island (Nunes/Diaz/Kumulae) reproductions but prices can be high, but there are also production options that are less spendy like Ohana that was already mentioned.
As badhabits mentioned, Kiwaya make a range of traditional ukuleles based quite precisely on the vintage Martin ukes, in both koa and mahogany. They make sopranos with both shorter and extended fingerboards.
There's also Sigma. The Sigma SUM-2S is a Martin clone, aside from a few fairly minor tweaks.
I love the Ohana SK-38 soprano, a wonderfully light instrument but an absolute sound cannon. Where it falls down, however, is the rounded neck profile. The Kiwaya models are rather more faithful to the originals in that respect.
There's also Sigma. The Sigma SUM-2S is a Martin clone, aside from a few fairly minor tweaks.
I love the Ohana SK-38 soprano, a wonderfully light instrument but an absolute sound cannon. Where it falls down, however, is the rounded neck profile. The Kiwaya models are rather more faithful to the originals in that respect.
Smallchewbacca
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Look into some of the Japanese makers beyond just Kiwaya. A few that come to mind are Sumi Kobo, Craft Musica, Nostalgia, Ancestors. You can get international shipping on lots of instruments from Japan on the website j-guitar
It's an open secret that some Japanese brands are as good or better than Hawaiian made .
badhabits
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Which ones?
The secret ones.
If you think about it, all of the manufacturers make vintage style ukuleles, they just aren't vintage style yet.
Joji Yoshida and Urabe are a couple off the top of my head .
It's cheating to say luthiers who make one off custom peices of art. Of course a custom made 10k ukulele will be better than one the K brands standard ukuleles.
