Just about every major guitar maker has produced a ukulele (often misspelled ukelele) at one time or another. Martin offered three ukulele models to its customers in 1918. The diminutive 12- and 17-fret instruments were followed in the 1920s by concert and tenor models, while the Martin 5-K from 1922, with its koa wood body and abalone inlay, is much in demand among collectors.
Gibson introduced its first ukulele in 1926. The highly collectible Uke-2 and Uke-3 styles from that year had mahogany bodies and rosewood fingerboards. Gibson also made tenor ukuleles (1927) and a baritone model (1961).
Today, ukuleles are experiencing a revival, thanks in no small part to the sustained popularity of the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole’s ukulele medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”...
Not surprisingly, a host of guitar makers have jumped on the uke bandwagon. National makes an entire line of resonator ukuleles, from steel-body models to maple and mahogany ones. Martin continues to make ukuleles, as does a well-regarded boutique ukulele maker named Barking Dog.
Interviews & Articles
Ukulele Collector Andy Roth: An Interview with Collectors Weekly

When I was living in Hawaii in the late ’80s, I’d get together with friends and have music jams. One night I was playing the piano… [more]
Great Guitars: A Uke to Pay for Dentistry

No, that's not what I said! I said, “Ah Tau Kam.” Who is that, you ask? Well, very little is known about him and I could find only… [more]
Great Guitars: The Martin Concert Ukulele

The C. F. Martin "Concert" sized ukuleles were first cataloged and priced in 1925 and remained in production until 1965. With few … [more]
Great Guitars: The Origins of the Concert Uke

There are lots of different sizes of ukuleles, from the tiny soprano to the almost-guitar-sized baritone, but the concert uke is o… [more]
Martins vs. Gibsons: The Evolution of American Acoustic Guitars

I started playing guitar when I was pretty young and bought my first guitar when I was 10 or 11. Like a lot of people of my genera… [more]
Archtops, Hollowbodies, and Jimi's Legacy

I grew up in upstate New York in Rochester, and started playing guitar when I was about 10 years old. We had this place in Rochest… [more]
Les Pauls, Strats, and Other Cult Guitars

I started out primarily as a collector and the business aspect of it evolved over time, almost by accident. I didn’t start out wit… [more]
Legendary Luthier Rick Turner on Howe-Orme Guitars

I first started coming across Howe-Orme instruments when I was an apprentice guitar repairman in Boston in 1963. Their guitars hav… [more]
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Vintage Guitars Info

This great reference site features detailed sections for vintage guitar makers including Gibson, Fender, Martin, Gr… [read review or visit site]
Vintage Guitar and Bass

Want to see all the old brochures and ads for your favorite vintage axe? Check out this great site, which showcases… [read review or visit site]
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Recent News: Ukuleles
Source: Google News
Strukture Introduces Versatile Ukulele and Mandolin Stand SUMS-BK - PRWeb
PR Web (press release), May 20thThe all-new Strukture ukulele and mandolin stand SUMS-BK is crafted from heavy duty steel for maximum strength and stability. The stand features a folding tripod base for easy storage and transport, a convenient height adjustable shaft, as well as...Read more
Festival honors ukulele, slack key and steel guitar
KHON2, May 20thFestival honors ukulele, slack key and steel guitar. 53 mins ago. Music lovers got to hear the masters strum their hearts out on the ukulele, slack key guitar and steel guitar at Kapiolani Park on Sunday. driver...Read more
Bob's Barbershop Boys & U3A Ukulele Orchestra
Thurrock Gazette, May 19th'Sheer enthusiasm' & 'singing for fun' accurately describes Bob's Barbershop Boys' performances and I am sure that their return visit will be no exception. On this occasion they will be joined by the U3A Ukulele Orchestra which will bring both variety...Read more
Unique Ukulele Building Workshop On Offer In Wellington
Scoop.co.nz (press release), May 19thLocal guitar and ukulele making business GOLDBEARD GUITARS has teamed up with the Wellington High School CEC (Community Education Centre) to offer a unique one week workshop in ukulele making this winter (14 – 20 July). A rare opportunity to...Read more
Parma Ukulele club strums merrily along
Sun Star Courier, May 19thPARMA -- You would be hard-pressed to find a more jovial group of people than the members of the Cleveland Jumping Flea, a ukulele (pronounced OOK-AH-LAY-LAY) club that meets regularly at the Parma-Ridge branch of the Cuyahoga County Public...Read more
Afternoon Melodies: Young Musician Plays the Ukulele in Prospect Park
Patch.com, May 17thHer newest album comes out in July. But on Thursday, Salimando wasn't playing the piano. She was in the park strumming a ukulele and singing. "I play piano mainly, but I came out today because I'm poor," she said, only half kidding. "I didn't want to...Read more
Ukulele Fever Descending on Port Washington
Patch.com, May 16thUnderhill is in the process of putting together U.K.E., a new ukulele group that will begin meeting on Thursday, May 30, from 3:30-4:15 p.m. at Wright Music. The group is open to everyone – from those interested in playing the ukulele to those who've...Read more
His Ukulele Is On Fire
Wall Street Journal (blog), May 8thJust about anyone can pick up the ukulele and make music in no time, but who ever goes beyond the basics? Historically, the lowly Portuguese-descended cousin of the guitar has served to accompany the vocals of aloha-spirited islanders or winking comics...Read more
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