1950s Martin C-1 Concert Ukulele

Overview: I'm not sure of the exact date on this guy but I'm guesstimating it to be a '50s to very early '60s Martin C-1. It's got the charm and sweetness you'd expect it to have for a Martin, though these concert models are a little snappier and chimier than their soprano cousins. It's in good shape and plays and sounds a treat.


Interesting features: The tortoise binding against the mahogany is always a good look in my book. It has friction pegs at the headstock but at least they're Grover Champions which are a little easier to use than most. If one wanted geared pegs for it, I always suggest Gotoh UPTs which are a ~$75 or so upgrade and pop right in the same holes, more or less.


Repairs included: The frets were in good shape so I just set it up. I had to bring the saddle really low and adjust the string-slots a little bit, but it's playing almost perfect with the action just a hair over 1/16" at the 12th fret. I like to dial them in right to 1/16" but that would involve a neck reset and further saddle work. It's playing well, regardless!

  • Weight: 0 lbs 15 oz
  • Scale length: 14 7/8"
  • Nut width: 1 3/8"
  • Neck shape: slim C
  • Board radius: flat
  • Depth at first fret: 37/64"
  • Depth at seventh fret: 45/64"
  • Body width: 7 5/8"
  • Body depth: 2 11/16"
  • Top wood: solid mahogany
  • Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
  • Bracing type: ladder
  • Bridge: mahogany
  • Fretboard: rosewood
  • Neck wood: mahogany
  • Action height at 12th fret: hair-over 1/16" (quick)
  • String gauges: wound-G Aquila Nylguts
  • Neck relief: straight
  • Fret style: small/low

Condition notes: It's pretty clean though the top does have a little light "hazing" to the finish clearcoat when in shifting light. There are also two repaired (filled) hairline cracks on the back that the last repairman did. There's one little chip-out to the side of the A-string slot on the bridge but it's just in the finish, really, and is not a stuctural thing. It's original throughout.


It comes with: It's got a nice hard case.


Consignor tag: STRB
















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Comments

Doug G said…
Nice work. But, sticking a finger inside the soundhole of both my ukes reveals, I think, three little fan braces radiating down. Not just fan braced. Neat and expensive.
May 19, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Dave said…
That's wild. I owned this exact instrument from around April 2017 to April 2023. I got it at a local music store in Columbus, OH. It definitely has a sweet sound. The cracks were glued up by local luthier Mark Kaiser.
May 20, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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