1940s Favilla Mahogany Soprano Ukulele

This sweet old Favilla uke is a long-overdue customer repair job and I just wanted to share because it's such a nice one. It has top and soundhole binding in white/cream, solid mahogany throughout save for the rosewood-veneer fretboard, light ladder bracing, and is entirely original save the 12th fret (a replacement) and a few washers under the tuners that I added.

What marks this as a late-'30s/'40s-vintage Favilla is the "squared-looking" heel shape, "flat-sanded" rear to the headstock/neck join, and a "flattish" body construction. I don't know how to really explain that last one, but these are different from the earlier Favs in a few ways that's immediately tangible if you have them right next to one another.

Anyhow, the general rule of Favs applies: these are almost as good as having a Martin. They're different -- a little woodier and less bell-like in tone -- but they give Martins a very good run for their money in terms of feel/sonic potential after they've been setup correctly.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, cleats for various old crack repairs, bridge reglue, side dots install, and setup.

Setup notes: it's playing perfectly with 1/16" action at the 12th fret, a straight neck, and is strung with Martin fluorocarbon strings (supplied by the customer).