 |
|
|
Original Post By:
NancyT
|
Date: 6/19/2015 11:55:17 AM |
Hi folks
I'm a new uke player and am trying to figure out the value of an instrument I was given. Was recently on Kauai, Scotty's Music seems somewhat interested in this uke, but Scotty himself wasn't there to talk to :-(
I received this as a gift from a person whose uncle purchased it in Hawaii in the 70's. It has the date stamp of May 13 1973 inside, and I've sent pics to Kamaka who verifies it is the original Tiki emblem on the neck.
Sadly, the uke was left uncared for in a barn here in Arizona so there is damage from dryness. I am trying to decide whether to get it repaired and sell it, or hold on to it, or what. Have been advised not to play it and to loosen the strings to stop stress on the bridge, which I have done.
Here are some pics:
http://timperarts.com/uke-pics/
Any advice most appreciated!
Nancy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
warndt
|
Date: 6/19/2015 12:29:51 PM |
Since it is a gift I'd get it fixed and play it. Probably 250-350 to fix the cracks and separations.
Re-sale prices really go down quickly with cracks...whether repaired or not.
Enjoy the gift!!
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
NancyT
|
Date: 6/19/2015 6:23:35 PM |
Thanks. It does have some serious cracks!
(Its a dry heat)
Nancy
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Tom B.
|
Date: 6/20/2015 3:04:11 AM |
| That's a nice uke, and it definitely deserves to be repaired. I'd recommend having it fixed and then playing it. If you don't bond with it, you can always sell it later. But you just might love it. Those old tiki Kamaka concerts are fine instruments.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
LSop23
|
Date: 6/21/2015 1:30:58 PM |
| In mint condition, the Kamaka Tiki ukes are highly sought after by collectors. I have a gold label one and from the research that I've done, the value can go up quite high. I think there was one a year or two ago that sold for $1500. I would definitely get it repaired, preferably by the Kamaka factory.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
northern uke
|
Date: 6/22/2015 11:34:03 AM |
| Absolutely worth repairing. The damage looks very repairable for a good professional and the value would be there if you were to re-sell. Sending it to Kamaka is a more costly but good idea. It's beautiful!
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
singndance
|
Date: 7/5/2015 1:07:18 PM |
| The people at Kamaka are great. I would send my baby home for repair and then never sell it to anybody. That should be a great uke to play.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
northern uke
|
Date: 7/5/2015 6:50:50 PM |
| I agree singndance. Its a special piece that I would never sell!
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
headtuner
|
Date: 7/15/2015 8:41:15 PM
(Updated: 7/15/2015 8:44:23 PM)
|
| I have a White label Tiki. It is date stamped inside "Dec 30 1969". I like to think it was stamped because it was the last uke made by Kamaka in the decade of the 60's. Who knows? Yours looks older than my 1969 vintage (e.g., smaller tuners, decal), but I guess it isn't. (I'm no expert). Mine has the double stacked KK below the Tiki, not the decal. The sound is amazing. Repair it. Enjoy it. Or sell/give it to someone who will really enjoy it and take good care of it. You have a fine uke to get started with.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
shawn
|
Date: 7/16/2015 5:23:00 AM |
Aloha Nancy,
Nice uke! Judging from the tiki design, width and depth of the headstock, and the tuners - the uke is consistent with the Kamaka tiki concert ukes I've seen over the years from this time period.
In terms of the repairs needed, I would agree with LSop23. It'll take a bit of time for the good people at Kamaka to have it repaired but having it done by the Kamaka factory will help to keep the value up in comparison to having it repaired elsewhere. Another value, is that Kamaka can match the finish to be one that is time specific to the original finish and this will help maintain the value in addition to making the necessary repairs to the piece.
Have fun. It's a beautiful piece!
Shawn Y.
http://ukulelefriend.com
|
|
|
|
