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AntiquiTone Vintage Guitars

CLEAN 1950's Kamaka Gold Label SAIL HEADSTOCK Tenor Ukulele Professional Uke

CLEAN 1950's Kamaka Gold Label SAIL HEADSTOCK Tenor Ukulele Professional Uke

Regular price $1,600.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $1,600.00 USD
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This Kamaka Gold Label sail headstock tenor ukulele from the 1950s is in stunning original "closet classic" condition. It must be one of the most well-preserved tenors of the gold label era in existence! It seems this ukulele may have been bought back as a souvenir to Wisconsin (where it was found) and basically never played. It doesn't even seem to have ever had a playability setup until now. 

Unlike the soprano, which was often sold to tourists visiting the islands, the tenor ukulele was usually sold to professional luau players. It's a rare find and one of the most sought-after vintage ukuleles made in Hawaii. Very few were made by Kamaka in the 1950s, and they are highly sought after for their ease of playing fingerstyle and other modern ukulele styles combined with vintage tone! 

This example featured the iconic early 1950s Kamaka gold label era "sail" style headstock shape and pin style bridge with bone insert. It boasts remarkable projection, sustain, and excellent clarity. In addition, it was meticulously cared for, if it was used at all. It is a must-have for the ukulele player or enthusiast looking for that classic 1950s vintage Kamaka sound.

This beautiful Kamaka tenor ukulele is handcrafted from gorgeous Hawaiian koa wood throughout. It features excellent projection and sustain with nice warm and traditional Kamaka tones. The intonation is set well, and the ease of play is absolutely wonderful on this instrument. It is center-balanced in terms of overall weight, which makes it easy to cradle as well. This piece is a phenomenal player instrument that continues to hold a very strong collectible value.

Overall Length: 26 3/4 in. (68 cm.)
Lower Bout: 9 in. (22.85 cm.) 
Body Depth: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.)
Scale length: 17 in. (432 mm.)
Nut Width: 1 5/16 in. (33.5 mm.)
12th Fret Heights G .1 in. A .09 in. (G 2.5 mm. A 2.25 mm.)

It's entirely original and in lovely shape. We re-glued the fingerboard tongue and changed the strings. That's it. There is a tiny half inch hairline between the fingerboard and the sound hole that has been soundly sealed. It is missing the 12th fret pearl dot and has a small spot of lighter finish in the same area likely from the factory. Other than those notes a couple non intrusive rub marks here and there on the top it is immaculate. 

It is currently set up in standard soprano ukulele C tuning; however, it would easily accept a low-wound G string or other lower-pitched ukulele tunings.  Simply put, it is extremely well preserved! It plays in tune well, sounds super sweet, and projects extremely well. It comes with its original case and some vintage strings. 

Excelent Condition (E)

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