C.F. Martin Style T1 Tenor Ukulele

Martin has been a manufacturer of ukuleles since 1907.  In the 1920's Martin produced twice as many ukuleles as they did guitars!  Most were soprano sized in various levels of trim from style 0 to style 5, with the higher number signifying more ornate decoration and inlays and specially selected wood.  They made far fewer concert, tenor and baritone sized ukuleles.  Production was stopped in 1977 except for the style 0 soprano model and custom orders.  In recent years vintage Martin ukuleles have become quite collectable.  The model 5K is considered the "holy grail" and the few in existence sell for well over $10,000.  
   
Visit this wonderful site for The History of the Martin Ukulele.
   
Shown below is my model T1 which is a fairly rare instrument.  This ukulele is tenor sized with style 1 ornamentation which means solid mahogany soundboard, back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard and bridge.  The body is bound in tortoise shell with tortoise and rosewood soundhole rosette.  Friction tuners are vintage Grovers.  This ukulele is dated to 1958 and is one of the loveliest sounding instruments I own.  Setup is perfect and the volume and projection is everything you'd expect from mahogany - loud and clear.  This is truly superb and special instrument.