This is one that I'll never get rid of in my lifetime, and my kids will own it someday. That said, I did see a C1K locally on sale for a ridiculously low amount and almost bought it. I should have...
I have a Martin OX "Bamboo" (HPL) which I really like. I would love a solid wood Martin too though. Maybe I'll buy one this fall, we'll see, both the S1 and the C1K is speaking to me and the new streetmaster tenor looks nice too.
Martins may be a little overpriced simply due to the Martin name, but every one I have played has been good. I love this S1 and will never sell it. I will eventually buy one of the new Martin Concert HPL models, as they discontinued the sopranos!
Sounds like a rush job to get as many made as possible ! There’s no bracing inside ! Or position markers ! Shorter scale ! Plastic nut and bridge ! From what I can see they seem to hold there price
I think I was thinking that you meant the OXK soprano. The S0 (or is it SO) preceded the S1 models, and were not well received by Martin aficionados. I remember watching TH-cam videos about them. I don’t even know if they were Mexican models or from another source. I do know that Martin’s Mexican factory makes excellent instruments these days, and you’re getting all of the Martin experience for a fraction of the price. It does seem that lower grade wood…not in terms of quality, but in terms of grain…is used for a lot of the current C1K and T1K models (the S1 is made of mahogany and stained dark, so grain is seldom an issue), but the instruments themselves are wonderful. I am always keeping my eye open for a used C1K to add to the collection…even though I have been lucky enough to find a Model 2 concert (the more recent release) and OXK concerts for bargain prices…I am a shopper of mainly used instruments-the best value for the money.
It has been a while, but I think so. I just put Der Jung tuners on my OXK Concert, and had to use a reamer. I have an expensive one from eBay, which works okay if you go slow and check quite often.
The S1 is a suprisingly wonderful instrument. Watch for used models...I'm not sure they warrant the full price of new at $399...and I do think you would want to order from a dealer that would set it up if buying new. In the USA, I think that is only Mim's Ukes (Martin dealer that specializes in set-ups). Used, I would be looking in the $250 range.
Wow! Old videos! I gave up with my glasses on videos...it was nearly impossible to record with the glare from the light--I don't know if I had my ring light at this time or not! And I used to film in our spare bedroom. The first song is Für Elise. i use a modified version of a Chord Melody by Mike Lynch. I should write out what I do. This gets part of the way there: ukutabs.com/files/fur-elise-beethoven.pdf The second song is "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" as covered by 21 Pilots. I don't use this any more as it matches with copyright and then I cannot monetize the channel! The third is "Shimmy Like My Sister Kate," which is used by Barry Maz on Got A Ukulele, with the idea that someone could compare with a similar song. The fourth is Tiptoe Through the Tulips, which Mim of Mim's Ukes used to use to demonstrate ukuleles for her customers (She doesn't make many videos these days). The final song is "Rubber Ducky" as played by Pete McCarty.
TUSQ is very similar to Nubone. Same basic idea. I have been trying to get the back nut and saddle that came with the 100th anniversary S1 and have simply been unable to do so.
@@UkeStuff yeah but the newer S1's are a mix of old 0'S and S3's with the white nut and saddle like they put on S3's and the full fretboard with the 0's body. It's not replicating a old S1 or it would be 12 fret. I'm glad they have the full fretboard and the white ivory saddle and nut was always considered a upgrade on the old stuff and I don't mind the white color on the newer stuff. Again these are not replicating old S1's. I'm fine with these setups and glad my S1 is from 2012-2013-ish when they were using Honduran mahogany and Bolivian rosewood bridges and fretboards. I sure wouldn't buy an S1 from the last 5-ish years because of the materials they use now. I can't complain because $250 is a steal for a uke of this caliber and it sounds like a $1000 uke or at least mine does and build quality is top notch. I will buy a vintage S3 some day when I can justify the price and I can't now because of my playing skills. After owning this I have found out why it's the most copied uke in history for good reasons. This thing blows me away that for something this cheap, punches way above it's weight class. I never understood the hype on Martin sopranos until I got this and the tone is so classic sounding and I have become a believer in the Martin soprano sound.
Great question! They are GOTOH UPT (Ukulele Planetary Tuners) and they are awesome. The cheapest I’ve found them are from The Ukulele Site, as they buy in bulk a couple of times a year and are around $70 or less for a set. That’s a lot, but we’re also talking a $400 ukulele here. Kamaka only uses GOTOH tuners these days. The other option is much more recent, and not quite as nice looking…Graphtech makes a Tune-a-lele Ratio tuner for about $30 that has a similar function but are made of plastic. I have 3 ukuleles with them now, and they are doing well. Kala is using them on some of their ukuleles as well.
I absolutely love my S-1, it is seriously my second favorite after my vintage Martin style 1. The best ukuleles. Great review.
This is one that I'll never get rid of in my lifetime, and my kids will own it someday. That said, I did see a C1K locally on sale for a ridiculously low amount and almost bought it. I should have...
I have a Martin OX "Bamboo" (HPL) which I really like. I would love a solid wood Martin too though. Maybe I'll buy one this fall, we'll see, both the S1 and the C1K is speaking to me and the new streetmaster tenor looks nice too.
Martins may be a little overpriced simply due to the Martin name, but every one I have played has been good. I love this S1 and will never sell it. I will eventually buy one of the new Martin Concert HPL models, as they discontinued the sopranos!
Excellent review thank you 👍👍👍
Thanks for watching!
Most enjoyable review ! I have an SO version that sounds identical to the S1 ! But not as well made !
Tell me more about the “not as well made”!
Sounds like a rush job to get as many made as possible ! There’s no bracing inside ! Or position markers ! Shorter scale ! Plastic nut and bridge ! From what I can see they seem to hold there price
I think I was thinking that you meant the OXK soprano. The S0 (or is it SO) preceded the S1 models, and were not well received by Martin aficionados. I remember watching TH-cam videos about them. I don’t even know if they were Mexican models or from another source. I do know that Martin’s Mexican factory makes excellent instruments these days, and you’re getting all of the Martin experience for a fraction of the price. It does seem that lower grade wood…not in terms of quality, but in terms of grain…is used for a lot of the current C1K and T1K models (the S1 is made of mahogany and stained dark, so grain is seldom an issue), but the instruments themselves are wonderful. I am always keeping my eye open for a used C1K to add to the collection…even though I have been lucky enough to find a Model 2 concert (the more recent release) and OXK concerts for bargain prices…I am a shopper of mainly used instruments-the best value for the money.
Try black leather dye on a bone nut and bridge. I’ve done materials that are hard and had great results!.
I’m not sure the bone but would be porous enough to absorb the dye.
I love it!
I do, too, though I now own a Model 2 concert and then we OXK Concert and they do give the S1 competition!
@@UkeStuff I’d love to get an S2 or C2❤️
Thanks for the review.
Thanks Steve! I need to go watch the review on your Makala!
Thanks! I actually recorded it over six months ago. I only just got around to editing and posting it.
When you changed tuners to gotoh did you have to ream/sand the headstock holes?
It has been a while, but I think so. I just put Der Jung tuners on my OXK Concert, and had to use a reamer. I have an expensive one from eBay, which works okay if you go slow and check quite often.
IMHO, S1 is like the D-28 of Martin's uke. Nothing too fancy, just get things done.
I don’t even like sopranos that much and yet I want one of these 😂
The S1 is a suprisingly wonderful instrument. Watch for used models...I'm not sure they warrant the full price of new at $399...and I do think you would want to order from a dealer that would set it up if buying new. In the USA, I think that is only Mim's Ukes (Martin dealer that specializes in set-ups). Used, I would be looking in the $250 range.
What is that first melody you played? Love it! Actually all of it
Wow! Old videos! I gave up with my glasses on videos...it was nearly impossible to record with the glare from the light--I don't know if I had my ring light at this time or not! And I used to film in our spare bedroom.
The first song is Für Elise. i use a modified version of a Chord Melody by Mike Lynch. I should write out what I do. This gets part of the way there: ukutabs.com/files/fur-elise-beethoven.pdf
The second song is "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" as covered by 21 Pilots. I don't use this any more as it matches with copyright and then I cannot monetize the channel!
The third is "Shimmy Like My Sister Kate," which is used by Barry Maz on Got A Ukulele, with the idea that someone could compare with a similar song.
The fourth is Tiptoe Through the Tulips, which Mim of Mim's Ukes used to use to demonstrate ukuleles for her customers (She doesn't make many videos these days).
The final song is "Rubber Ducky" as played by Pete McCarty.
the nut and saddle are made of Tusq which is a type of polymer
TUSQ is very similar to Nubone. Same basic idea. I have been trying to get the back nut and saddle that came with the 100th anniversary S1 and have simply been unable to do so.
@@UkeStuff yeah but the newer S1's are a mix of old 0'S and S3's with the white nut and saddle like they put on S3's and the full fretboard with the 0's body. It's not replicating a old S1 or it would be 12 fret. I'm glad they have the full fretboard and the white ivory saddle and nut was always considered a upgrade on the old stuff and I don't mind the white color on the newer stuff. Again these are not replicating old S1's. I'm fine with these setups and glad my S1 is from 2012-2013-ish when they were using Honduran mahogany and Bolivian rosewood bridges and fretboards. I sure wouldn't buy an S1 from the last 5-ish years because of the materials they use now. I can't complain because $250 is a steal for a uke of this caliber and it sounds like a $1000 uke or at least mine does and build quality is top notch. I will buy a vintage S3 some day when I can justify the price and I can't now because of my playing skills. After owning this I have found out why it's the most copied uke in history for good reasons. This thing blows me away that for something this cheap, punches way above it's weight class. I never understood the hype on Martin sopranos until I got this and the tone is so classic sounding and I have become a believer in the Martin soprano sound.
Where can I get those friction tuners?
Great question! They are GOTOH UPT (Ukulele Planetary Tuners) and they are awesome. The cheapest I’ve found them are from The Ukulele Site, as they buy in bulk a couple of times a year and are around $70 or less for a set. That’s a lot, but we’re also talking a $400 ukulele here. Kamaka only uses GOTOH tuners these days.
The other option is much more recent, and not quite as nice looking…Graphtech makes a Tune-a-lele Ratio tuner for about $30 that has a similar function but are made of plastic. I have 3 ukuleles with them now, and they are doing well. Kala is using them on some of their ukuleles as well.
No Martin S1 for me.
Why?