Martin Style 1 Soprano Ukulele

This C.F. Martin & Co. Style 1 soprano ukulele dates to the late 1910s and represents one of Martin’s earliest and most historically significant ukulele models. Built during the first great ukulele boom, the Style 1 was Martin’s entry-level offering, yet it was constructed to the same fundamental standards that established the company’s reputation.

This example remains a good, honest player’s instrument, with its history clearly visible and properly accounted for. It has been refinished at some point in its life, with the work carried out to a good standard, and has received structural attention in the past that has ensured long-term stability. All of this has been fully considered in the asking price.

This Martin Style 1 makes sense for someone who wants a genuine late-1910s Martin ukulele that has been properly maintained for continued use, rather than an untouched but fragile survivor.

The instrument has been refinished at some point, with the work done well, and has had historic cleating carried out to a good standard, leaving it structurally sound. It has also been refretted in the past, which improves playability and makes it far more practical for modern players.

The later Grover No. 94 geared tuners are not period-correct for this era but offer reliable, stable tuning in everyday use.

Taken together, this is an honest, playable vintage Martin with its history clearly disclosed — priced accordingly and suited to someone who wants to play and enjoy a 100-plus-year-old instrument rather than keep it in a case.

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Maker: C.F. Martin & Co.

  • Model: Style 1

  • Instrument type: Soprano ukulele

  • Era: Circa 1917–1919

  • Body: Mahogany

  • Neck: Mahogany

  • Fingerboard: Rosewood

  • Frets: Refretted (date unknown)

  • Bridge: Mahogany

  • Finish: Refinished (non-original, well executed)

  • Tuners: Vintage Grover No. 94 geared tuners (later replacement; not period-correct)

  • Scale: Soprano scale

  • Case: Modern padded hard-shell case (unlined interior)

CONDITION:

Overall, this Martin Style 1 is in good condition for an early-20th-century instrument.

The ukulele has been refinished in the past, with the work carried out cleanly and sympathetically. At some point in its life, internal cleats were added to address historic cracking; this work is to a very good standard, has remained stable over time, and presents no current structural concerns.

The replacement vintage Grover No. 94 tuners are later additions and not original to this period, but they function well and improve tuning stability for modern use. The instrument has been professionally checked over and plays comfortably and reliably.

In short, this is a structurally sound, well-maintained vintage Martin ukulele, with all non-original work fully disclosed and appropriately reflected in the asking price.

£725

Historical note

The Martin Style 1 was built during the very first ukulele craze in the United States, when Martin adapted its guitar-building expertise to meet sudden worldwide demand for Hawaiian instruments.

CONTACT DETAILS: Alan Yates Music

PHONE: 07764 880016

EMAIL: contact@alanyatesmusic.co.uk

ITEM LOCATION/CARRIAGE: Happy to post if buyer covers postage (£20 - 24-hour tracked & signed for) or can collect from Blackpool. Insurance cover can also be arranged separately.

PAYMENT: Discuss with Alan Yates Music.