March 9, 2006

RARE BIRD

During the 1980’s, when ukuleles appeared  to be going the way of the Arkansan Red Headed Wood Pecker, visiting the C.F.Martin factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, gave one little hope.  With the exception of two or three ukes, mounted in glass cases like the bones of extinct creatures of yore, there weren’t none to see.

A rare encounter, during the factory tour, with a fossilized  remnant from the past was a real thrill.  The labeled pattern of a soprano.

One can but imagine my overwhelming delight, on one tour of the Martin factory, when I saw unfinished ukuleles laying, face down, on a work bench.

And at the work bench was one of Martin’s legendary craftsman actually working on a uke. Be still my foolish heart!

The well worn bracket that was being used to hold the head of the uke told me that more, lots more, ukes had been crafted at this workstation.

I could see that the ukes were period Style 3’s.

Careful attention applied skillfully to the petite instrument.

That trip to Nazareth was outstanding.

I hear that ukulele making is returning to Nazareth.  Good to hear.

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