Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele Natural

The Martin S1 Soprano Ukuleleis crafted of solid genuine mahogany, joined with a dovetail mahogany neck. It features traditional cedar linings and inlaid rosette, rosewood bridge and fingerboard, and bone saddle and nut. It is laid out in soprano dimensions and comes with its own padded gig bag.

Model: S1 uke Construction: mahogany blocks/applied dovetail Body size: soprano uke Top: solid genuine mahogany - 1 piece Rosette: b/w/b boltaron Back material: solid genuine mahogany Side material: solid genuine mahogany Binding: none Neck shape: soprano uke shape Headstock: solid/uke taper Scale length: 13.614'' Fingerboard width at nut: 1-13/32'' Fingerboard position inlays: one @ 5th, two @ 7th, one @ 10th Bridge material: solid morado Bridge: style o-uke style Tuning machines: Grover nickel w/ white buttons Pickguard: none Interior label: paper label Includes gig bag

Make this sweet uke yours. Order today.

Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage

Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.

Gold Coverage Includes:

Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidity

Other plan features include:

For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear

*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details

Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.

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The Martin S1 has taken its share of criticism on the internet for not being what people expected it to be. As if Martin should make the same sounding ukuleles ad infinitum. I take issue with that narrow approach because this fine instrument stands on its own worth and adds to the history of great sounding soprano sized mahogany ukuleles. The S1 has a nice bark - not boomy - with a distinctive upbeat sound, a comfortable fingerboard with room for large hands and fingers. It is a plain Jane workhorse that has gotten better sounding for me these past two years of ownership. The S1 is a winner.
Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele Natural
.The Martin aroma this baby puts off is divine and it plays as good as it smells. I have no complaints on this fine instrument at all. This piece of art is not a toy. This ukulele is high-end-Martin class. This little marvelous Martin fits snuggly into your arms and the playability is great. The action was perfect right from the box and no set-up was needed. Some people think that sopranos shriek and have a weak shrill sound, but this solid, open pored, mahogany uke resonates and caries like no other. I would recommend this instrument to a professional and beginner alike. It is so easy and so fun to play that anyone with some time and quiet would fall in love with this thing. If you are looking for something to grow old with and fall in love with, then this is the ukelele for you. The craftsmanship and features on this Mexico made ukulele is fit for a king and priced for everybody.
Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele Natural
.I love Martin Guitars and Ukuleles. I have been to the factory tour and played and owned many of their instruments including a 1930s/40 Martin Ukulele. I honestly was a little disappointed in a few little things that showed a lack of attention to details that is inconsistent with the Martin Reputation. The A and G strings were strung the wrong way. The G was strung clockwise, and the A was strung counter-clockwise. The action was quite high and the saddle needed filed and lowered. There was a slight deadening string buzz that indicated that the nut was not filed properly that improved after I filed/sanded it myself. The strings were terrible and I replaced them with Aquilas.

I do believe this uke will improve with age. I love the sound of solid mahogany and I appreciate the extra frets. The tuners are nice. It's a well balanced instrument, and with my adjustments is a joy to play. I have many other ukuleles - Kala, Lanikai, Ovation, etc and none of them have arrived with some of the problems this one did. I expected more from Martin. I know it is built in Mexico and not in the US, but a factory overseen by Martin should do better with the little things.

Custom Guitars Friend was excellent. I got this at a great price during their warehouse sale and it shipped promptly and arrived safely.

I'm hoping this ukulele will last me a lifetime and improve with age and the more it is played.
Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele Natural
.I'm basing my review on a comparison of the S-1 to a recent Martin 3K and a circa 1950 Martin style O (both sopranos, of course). Might not seem fair but the S-1 does surprisingly well in the sound and playability departments. Has that classic Martin "bark" when you dig into the strings, but still is very responsive to a light touch. It will get loud! Not much response above the 12th fret when compared to the 3K (and the 50s style O, of course, only has 12 frets). Mexican made, the S-1 appears to be Martin's modern take on the classic Style O, but with an extended fingerboard (17 frets) as well as side position dots and an open-pore finish on the mahogany body and "hardwood" neck. (Even the old style O had a filled finish which made the finish smooth and even; not a fan of open pore finishes but had the new S-1 had the open pores filled before final finishing, its cost would have certainly been higher.) Light weight but heavier than the O and 3K. Also a SLIGHTLY different shape than the classic style Martin soprano ukes—the body is slightly longer and slightly narrower—kind-of "stretched." Friction tuners work fine—the only kind of tuners IMHO for a uke. Gray gig bag is very nice and classy as gig bags go. All in all a nice soprano uke though somewhat plain looking because of the open-pore finish. You can certainly get an Asian-made uke for a bit less that arguably plays and sounds as good, but a Martin simply has more vibe and mojo—that's my opinion. And an iconic American company makes it in North America in an American-owned and run plant.
Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele Natural
.I'm a music educator recently turned ukulele enthusiast. I own several ukuleles and this one is definitely my favorite. Construction is very good, no flaws or imperfections. Some folks don't like the friction tuners but I have no complaints. The uke comes with the g and a strings wound in an opposite direction as you would expect around the tuners. I'm guessing Martin does this to keep the strings as straight as possible from the nut to the tuners. It doesn't bother me. The action is lower than on my other ukes and intonation is good. The soft bag it comes with is well made and stylish but I swapped it out for a hard case for daily transportation.
Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele Natural
.Comes with soft case which has cool Martin embossed logo which was a nice surprise. Sounds great. Holds tuning great (had to tighten pegs). Everything you expect from Martin quality & craftsmanship! Bought my son a rouge ukulele to make sure it wasn't a fad. He's really into it and this is the perfect next level ukulele.
Martin S1 Soprano Ukulele Natural
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