Great Ukes

Great Ukes: The Birth of The Baritone

From the Spring 2016 issue of Ukulele | BY SANDOR NAGYSZALANCZY Quick quiz: Among the four common sizes of ukuleles—soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone—which one is tuned differently? Answer: the baritone. While the first three are tuned in standard “C”…

Great Ukes: The Harmony Roy Smeck Vita-Ukulele

First sold in June 1927, this uke had an unusual lute-like shape that was sized somewhere between a soprano and a concert ukulele.

Bell and Shrine Ukulele Great Ukes Rare Collectible Instrument Lyon & Healy Sandor

Great Ukes: Lyon & Healy’s Unusual Bell and Shrine Ukes

From the Fall 2016 issue of Ukulele | STORY AND PHOTOS BY SANDOR NAGYSZALANCZY When you think of ukuleles made on the American mainland during the “uke crazed” 1920s, brands such as Martin and Gibson are likely the first to…

Great Ukes: Martin’s Style 3 Was a Favorite of Many Notable Players

Introduced in 1915 at a price of $25, this was one of the most expensive ukuleles on the market at the time

Great Ukes: A Koa Classic, Circa 1920 Weissenborn Concert

By Derek See Like so many other innovative artists and artisans, the work of German immigrant Hermann Weissenborn (1863–1936) has taken on far greater importance after his passing. After spending several years repairing pianos and violins in New York City…