NUD - Martin 1T IZ Tenor Ukulele

[cigarfan]

I'm pretty excited. There's been a lot of discussion about this tribute ukulele, pro and con. Many think it should have been an exact replica of IZ's uke. Being a tenor man I am very happy they decided to go with this size. It is awesome!

Martin has done an immaculate job on the build and the sonic properties are exactly what you would expect from a Martin. I am very proud to own this uke. I will try to get a soundclip recorded over the holidays.

The hype from the website:
A tribute to one of the most revered musicians in Hawaiian history, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, aka IZ, Martin's IT IZ Tenor Ukulele features a beautiful solid quilted mahogany body with an East Indian rosewood headplate adorned with "IZ" inlaid in Hawaiian koa and a hibiscus flower inlaid in pink awabi pearl. As beautiful as the music he made, this uke impresses with its looks as well as its sound.

Features:
Model: 1T IZ Tenor Uke
Construction: Mahogany Blocks/ Applied Dovetail Neck Joint
Body Size: Tenor Ukulele
Top: Solid Quilted Mahogany
Rosette: Single Ring - Multiple Black/White Fiber
Top Bracing Pattern: Tenor Ukelele
Top Braces: Non Scalloped
Back Material: Solid Quilted Mahogany
Side Material: Solid Quilted Mahogany
Endpiece: Black Fiber
Binding: Tortoise - Brown
Top Inlay Style: Black/White Fiber
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Neck Shape: Tenor Uke
Nut Material: Black Tusq
Headstock: Solid/Traditional Martin Ukulele Design
Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood/Hibiscus Flower - IZ (Koa) Inlay
Fingerboard Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Scale Length: 17'' Uke Pattern
Number Of Frets Clear: 14
Number Of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Width At Nut: 1-11/32''
Fingerboard Width At 12th Fret: 1-23/32''
Fingerboard Position Inlays: One @5th,7th,10th,Two @ 12th,One @ 15th, M.O.P.
Finish Back & Sides: Satin
Finish Top: Satin
Finish Neck: Satin
Bridge Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Bridge Style: Tenor Uke Style
Bridge String Spacing: 1-5/8''
Saddle: Compensated Black Tusq
Tuning Machines: Pegheds, 7543A
Recommended Strings: Martin Ukulele (M620)
Case: Nex Gen ZG Case
Interior Label: 2 Paper Labels - 1 signed by widow of Israel & numbered in sequence w/o total - 1 with photo of IZ

Additional Pics:

[Taylorcrazy]

Congratulations Dennis. You have done it yet again. Beautiful uke!

[cigarfan]

Thanks Wendell. The tone is brighter than I expected. Maybe it's the Martin strings.

[Jason Paul]

Very nice!

The grain pattern is great, and I like the headstock shape and inlay - subtle and tastefully done.

Jason

[Dru Edwards]

What fantastic pics!!! I've seen some great ukes here on this subforum and it makes me want to try a "quality", all solid wood uke, such as your Martin. I imagine it's a world of difference from a cheepo model. Enjoy!

[Neal]

Nice uke, the original tenors had pin bridges, but I think the tie bridge is ok as well. Nice to see they put PegHeds on this one instead of the side tuners. Nice, really nice uke.

[cigarfan]

Originally Posted by Jason Paul

Very nice!

The grain pattern is great, and I like the headstock shape and inlay - subtle and tastefully done.

Jason

Thanks Jason. The inlay is beautiful. Lots of color in the pearl and Koa.

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

What fantastic pics!!! I've seen some great ukes here on this subforum and it makes me want to try a "quality", all solid wood uke, such as your Martin. I imagine it's a world of difference from a cheepo model. Enjoy!

Thanks Dru. I think I have finally found the right camera settings. And yes, if you get an ukulele select one of higher quality. You won't regret it.

Originally Posted by Neal

Nice uke, the original tenors had pin bridges, but I think the tie bridge is ok as well. Nice to see they put PegHeds on this one instead of the side tuners. Nice, really nice uke.

Thanks Neal. You are right about the pin bridge. I think that is why some complain this is not a true replica. But Martin calls it a "tribute" uke, not a replica or signature model. I'm OK with that. It is a gorgeous uke that has the Martin sound that I'm sure will age wonderfully.

[darylcrisp]

Glad to see you got one of these-I've been thinking of picking one up for the last couple months.
Your pictures definitely show the beauty of the designs much better than any shop photo I've saw.

I have not played a Martin Tenor, how does it compare to the Kinnard-playwise, intonation, note quality up the neck?

thanks for posting-now you got me thinking again
d

[Bazmaz]

I was lucky to play one at a festival recently. Was very impressed

[cigarfan]

Originally Posted by darylcrisp

Glad to see you got one of these-I've been thinking of picking one up for the last couple months.
Your pictures definitely show the beauty of the designs much better than any shop photo I've saw.

I have not played a Martin Tenor, how does it compare to the Kinnard-playwise, intonation, note quality up the neck?

thanks for posting-now you got me thinking again
d

Thanks daryl. My picture taking skills are getting better.

I am impressed with the playability and excellent intonation of my Kinnard. Have been from the first day. And it continues to mature. Many say cedar doesn't get better with age but this one seems to be defying that old adage.

To be fair, the Martin is a newborn. That said it has a brighter sound than the Kinnard. Kind of unusual for a tenor. More like the vintage Martin soprano I have. I expect that will mellow over time. The Martin fretboard is level and a little harder to barre but the intonation is superb.

Both the Martin and the Kinnard perform at a very high level. I am thinking both will be with me for a long time.

Originally Posted by Bazmaz

I was lucky to play one at a festival recently. Was very impressed

Good for you! Call me crazy but I don't envision mine will be passed around at a festival.

[dadmire]

Any chances of sound samples?

[cigarfan]

Originally Posted by dadmire

Any chances of sound samples?

In the New Year!

[Bazmaz]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Good for you! Call me crazy but I don't envision mine will be passed around at a festival.

It was on the stall of a Uke shop - they trust me!