C.F. Martin & Co. Style 0 soprano ukulele, c. 1947-1956. The date is based on use of T-bar frets and the Kluson 566 Keystone tuners with tulip- or keystone-shaped buttons, which were used by Martin for a limited time. The Style 0 was Martin’s least fancy model; its only ornamentation is a simple ring around the sound hole. The body is constructed of solid mahogany (single piece top and bottom; two-piece side). Strung with Martin M600 fluorocarbon strings, it has a slightly warmer tone than the Kamaka.
Label for the C.F. Martin & Co. ukulele.
Canvas gig bag, believed to be from the period and original.
Sound sample for the Martin ukulele (.m4a format). Same mix as for the Lanikai: gCEA tuning, a portion of Pachelbel’s Canon in D (transposed to C), and a portion of the intro to Iz Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of Over the Rainbow.