Martin
Explore used Martin ukuleles and folk instruments shaped by more than a century of craftsmanship. From bright soprano models to roomier concert and tenor sizes, the range includes traditional mahogany and koa instruments alongside durable koa-patterned HPL designs such as the 0XK.
THE RICH TONE BUYING GUIDE
Used Martin ukuleles and folk instruments: soprano, concert and tenor voices
Martin’s ukulele story stretches back more than a century and forms an important chapter in the company’s history. Used examples can range from compact soprano instruments to roomier concert and tenor models, with choices including solid mahogany, Hawaiian koa and durable koa-patterned HPL construction.
Soprano ukuleles
Soprano is the smallest traditional Martin ukulele size and delivers the bright, compact voice most closely associated with early Hawaiian instruments. Martin first developed soprano models in the 1910s, and used examples such as the S-0 or later S1 family offer a direct connection to that long-running format.
Concert ukuleles
Concert ukuleles sit between soprano and tenor sizes, offering a little more playing room and projection while retaining a compact feel. Martin traces its concert-size production to 1925, and models such as the 0XK Concert Uke make the format practical for travel and everyday playing.
0XK Concert Uke
The 0XK uses a concert body with koa-patterned high-pressure laminate for its top, back and sides. Martin pairs that durable construction with a 17-fret neck, a 12th-fret body joint and a soft gig bag, giving the model a distinctive koa look in an easy-going X Series format.
Solid wood and HPL
Martin ukuleles span both solid-wood and high-pressure-laminate construction. Mahogany and koa models emphasise traditional natural materials, while HPL instruments such as the 0XK are designed for durability and visual consistency. The model name and production period identify which approach a used instrument represents.
A century of Martin ukuleles
Martin prototyped ukuleles in the early 1900s, returned to the idea as Hawaiian music grew in popularity and issued its first formal ukulele catalogue in 1917. By the mid-1920s, ukulele orders exceeded guitar production by a wide margin, helping sustain the company through a pivotal period.
Choose the right body size
Choose soprano for the most compact feel and bright traditional voice, concert for extra fingerboard room and balance, or tenor for the largest body and strongest projection in Martin’s regular ukulele range. The body size affects scale, spacing and response more than decorative style alone.
Sell Your Gear
Sell Your Gear to Rich Tone Music or part exchange a Martin ukulele towards your next instrument. Keeping well-made folk instruments in use gives another player the chance to enjoy a century-spanning Martin tradition.
Martin ukulele questions answered
When did Martin begin making ukuleles?
Martin made early prototypes in 1906 and a trial batch in 1907, then returned to regular development in 1915. Its first formal ukulele catalogue appeared in 1917.
What is the difference between soprano, concert and tenor Martin ukuleles?
Soprano is the smallest and brightest traditional format. Concert adds playing room and volume, while tenor is the largest of Martin’s standard ukulele sizes and offers extra projection.
What is the Martin 0XK Concert Uke made from?
The current 0XK specification uses koa-patterned high-pressure laminate for the top, back and sides. It combines the look of figured koa with a durable concert-size build.
Why are ukuleles important to Martin history?
Demand surged in the 1920s, and Martin’s museum notes that the company was building around five times more ukuleles than guitars by the middle of the decade. That popularity helped sustain the business during the years that followed.