Kamaka Hawaiian Acoustic Guitar , c. 1928
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Kamaka Hawaiian Acoustic Guitar, c. 1928, made in Hawaii, natural varnish finish, koa wood body and neck, molded fiberglass hard shell case.
While the name Kamaka is associated largely with genuine Hawaiian ukuleles, the firm also has built guitars over the decades, albeit in comparatively limited numbers. These are quite rare, especially outside the Hawaiian islands and seldom come up for sale. This later 1920s-'30 era Hawaiian instrument is a delightful find especially here in the more temperate climes of Brooklyn!
Samuel Kamaka Sr. began hand-crafting koa ukuleles in his home during 1916, opening a shop on King Street as the 1920s dawned. The ukulele market was large and growing, with heavy demand not only on the islands but in the mainland US and even farther afield. Kamaka's timing was excellent, as Manuel Nunes closed his shop in 1917 and his son Leonardo had moved his operation to Los Angeles. Early Kamaka ukes from this period are not as common today as those of his primary rival Jonah Kumalae, but they soon gained a reputation as superior instruments. He patented the oval-shaped "Pineapple" uke in 1928, and the successful company outlasted every other island maker to still prosper today well over 100 years along.
Kamaka guitars were built primarily for local Island musicians, so they remain little known outside Hawaii as there was no reason to export them to the Mainland where guitars were plentiful. This example has all the hallmarks of one built in the 1920s or early '30s. It is a Hawaiian-style instrument set up for steel playing constructed entirely of Hawaiian koa. Like Hawaiian ukuleles the top is flat but the back is slightly arched, held that way by heavy braces. The wood has some dramatic figuring, particularly on the beautifully bookmatched back. The top is braced in a very simple "A" pattern with very stout straight braces in front and back of the soundhole and a couple of short pieces angled back towards the bridge. There is a reinforcing strip down the center seam but no bridgeplate, true to its ukulele roots.
The one-piece Koa neck has a deep V-neck profile, spliced heel and a separate fingerboard that overhangs the soundhole slightly, with small-dot ivoroid markers and narrow tang frets. The "Kamaka, Hawaii" decal adorns the headstock. The trademark staggered-pin bridge has large pyramid ends and a fretwire saddle typical of Hawaiian made guitars. This guitar is a plain style with minimal ornamentation; no binding and only a few narrow concentric soundhole rings. The natural beauty of the wood makes it quite a showpiece nonetheless.
The neck angle is such that this guitar is only really functional as a Hawaiian lap-style instrument, likely how it was intended when built. It is equipped with a Kamiki metal nut raiser and makes a superb player in this style, powerful and punchy sounding with less of the whispery echoed resonance of the typical Weissenborn style instrument. This is the first Kamaka we have had the pleasure of offering, a genuine rare piece of Hawaiiana and a very unusual find this far from its Island birthplace.
Overall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 13 3/8 in. (34 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This beautiful Kamaka gem has survived something like a century quite well, all things considered! There are some repairs but only light wear, and the instrument remains largely original. The thin varnish finish remains practically all original with only light dings, dents and scratches scattered about. The only area it has been altered is on the lower bout treble side rim at the back/side seam where the guitar apparently took a hit long ago. This area has had some of the wood patched back in, including a not-quite 2" long section of newer koa. This repair is nicely done but visible.
There are a couple of repaired splits to the top; the center seam has been resealed and there is an old jagged split above it (typical of older koa) that is sealed but not finished over so plainly visible. Apart from the above noted repair to the lower side these are the only cracks on the instrument. The bridge has been reglued and the center section possibly cut down a bit, as the patina is uneven; it still retains plenty of height. The tuners are later vintage but the holes were not drilled out and older machines could be located and reinstalled if desired.
As noted this instrument is set up in the Hawaiian style for steel playing, although it appears someone once played it "Spanish" style as there is some light wear to the fingerboard. The neck angle makes that unfeasible for most players today and the Spanish heel construction precludes a Martin style neck reset; it is likely the guitar was built as a Hawaiian style instrument from the beginning. The tone is lovely and different from most other lap style guitars, rich with surprising depth for a smaller body guitar. This is simply gorgeous, playable piece of history that rings out with the true Island sound with every glissando. It includes a high-grade molded fiberglass Calton hardshell case. Very Good + Condition.
While the name Kamaka is associated largely with genuine Hawaiian ukuleles, the firm also has built guitars over the decades, albeit in comparatively limited numbers. These are quite rare, especially outside the Hawaiian islands and seldom come up for sale. This later 1920s-'30 era Hawaiian instrument is a delightful find especially here in the more temperate climes of Brooklyn!
Samuel Kamaka Sr. began hand-crafting koa ukuleles in his home during 1916, opening a shop on King Street as the 1920s dawned. The ukulele market was large and growing, with heavy demand not only on the islands but in the mainland US and even farther afield. Kamaka's timing was excellent, as Manuel Nunes closed his shop in 1917 and his son Leonardo had moved his operation to Los Angeles. Early Kamaka ukes from this period are not as common today as those of his primary rival Jonah Kumalae, but they soon gained a reputation as superior instruments. He patented the oval-shaped "Pineapple" uke in 1928, and the successful company outlasted every other island maker to still prosper today well over 100 years along.
Kamaka guitars were built primarily for local Island musicians, so they remain little known outside Hawaii as there was no reason to export them to the Mainland where guitars were plentiful. This example has all the hallmarks of one built in the 1920s or early '30s. It is a Hawaiian-style instrument set up for steel playing constructed entirely of Hawaiian koa. Like Hawaiian ukuleles the top is flat but the back is slightly arched, held that way by heavy braces. The wood has some dramatic figuring, particularly on the beautifully bookmatched back. The top is braced in a very simple "A" pattern with very stout straight braces in front and back of the soundhole and a couple of short pieces angled back towards the bridge. There is a reinforcing strip down the center seam but no bridgeplate, true to its ukulele roots.
The one-piece Koa neck has a deep V-neck profile, spliced heel and a separate fingerboard that overhangs the soundhole slightly, with small-dot ivoroid markers and narrow tang frets. The "Kamaka, Hawaii" decal adorns the headstock. The trademark staggered-pin bridge has large pyramid ends and a fretwire saddle typical of Hawaiian made guitars. This guitar is a plain style with minimal ornamentation; no binding and only a few narrow concentric soundhole rings. The natural beauty of the wood makes it quite a showpiece nonetheless.
The neck angle is such that this guitar is only really functional as a Hawaiian lap-style instrument, likely how it was intended when built. It is equipped with a Kamiki metal nut raiser and makes a superb player in this style, powerful and punchy sounding with less of the whispery echoed resonance of the typical Weissenborn style instrument. This is the first Kamaka we have had the pleasure of offering, a genuine rare piece of Hawaiiana and a very unusual find this far from its Island birthplace.
Overall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 13 3/8 in. (34 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This beautiful Kamaka gem has survived something like a century quite well, all things considered! There are some repairs but only light wear, and the instrument remains largely original. The thin varnish finish remains practically all original with only light dings, dents and scratches scattered about. The only area it has been altered is on the lower bout treble side rim at the back/side seam where the guitar apparently took a hit long ago. This area has had some of the wood patched back in, including a not-quite 2" long section of newer koa. This repair is nicely done but visible.
There are a couple of repaired splits to the top; the center seam has been resealed and there is an old jagged split above it (typical of older koa) that is sealed but not finished over so plainly visible. Apart from the above noted repair to the lower side these are the only cracks on the instrument. The bridge has been reglued and the center section possibly cut down a bit, as the patina is uneven; it still retains plenty of height. The tuners are later vintage but the holes were not drilled out and older machines could be located and reinstalled if desired.
As noted this instrument is set up in the Hawaiian style for steel playing, although it appears someone once played it "Spanish" style as there is some light wear to the fingerboard. The neck angle makes that unfeasible for most players today and the Spanish heel construction precludes a Martin style neck reset; it is likely the guitar was built as a Hawaiian style instrument from the beginning. The tone is lovely and different from most other lap style guitars, rich with surprising depth for a smaller body guitar. This is simply gorgeous, playable piece of history that rings out with the true Island sound with every glissando. It includes a high-grade molded fiberglass Calton hardshell case. Very Good + Condition.