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Original Post By:
John Pak
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Date: 8/3/2008 9:17:23 PM |
I just discovered a crack in the front of my Kamaka. It runs from the bottom of the face up to the hole and then continues up above the hole. Most of the crack is barely perceptible, but near the bottom, the surface is uneven. Another small crack seems to be developing near the bottom of the uke.
This was my first uke and has sentimental value My first thought was to bring it to Hawaii with me next time I visit and take it to the Kamaka factory to be fixed. Is it expensive to have the front of the uke replaced?
I guess I should contact Kamaka directly and find out, but I'm curious to know what others have done in this situation. |
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Posted By:
Craig
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Date: 8/3/2008 9:35:52 PM |
| Very sorry to hear this news... Please keep us informed of how it all turns out.
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Posted By:
Howlin' Hobbit
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Date: 8/3/2008 9:56:58 PM |
| I'm pretty sure you won't have to have the face replaced. Cracks can be fixed "in situ."
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Posted By:
NinaC
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Date: 8/4/2008 8:58:27 AM
(Updated: 8/4/2008 8:59:55 AM)
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John, I'm sorry to hear about your uke. I've had a luthier fix several top cracks on several different ukuleles. It's worked well and usually it's not a big expense. In a case or two, the repairs are barely even visible. Sometimes glue, sometimes glue and cleats (but that's only for a big crack.) A luthier here might chime in about whether this is a good idea, but I'm wondering if it wouldn't be prudent to slack or remove the strings on your Kamaka to take the tension off the top until you can get it fixed.
I bet you could find someone locally in Japan to get it fixed. Someone who works on guitars or violins or any other good stringed instruments.
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Posted By:
John Pak
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Date: 8/4/2008 9:25:08 AM |
Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad to hear it's possible to have cracks repaired without it being too expensive. I've always had it in mind to pass this ukulele on to my grandkids one day, so I definitely want to do what I can to keep it in good shape.
Probably a good idea to slacken the strings, Nina. Thanks. I'll do that right now...
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Posted By:
Yosef 1965
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Date: 8/4/2008 9:25:49 AM |
| How old is your Kamaka, and what part of the counry to you live? Were you useing a humidifier??
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Posted By:
John Pak
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Date: 8/4/2008 11:10:22 AM |
| Hi, Tom. The uke is around 40 years old. (I don't have an exact year and in fact how our family got the uke is a mystery.) I live in Japan where summers are hot and humid. Isn't winter a worse time for a ukulele? I'm realizing I don't know much about ukulele care. Anyway, I only recently starting displaying my ukes on a wall, so the ukes are more "exposed" than previously.
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Posted By:
Yosef 1965
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Date: 8/4/2008 12:01:44 PM |
| Considering it is 40yrs old, I'd say that is not too bad, I live in So Calif where the climate is failry uniform year round. It is my understanding that abrubt changes in ambient humidity dry and cold to warm an humid may play a part in damage to ukes. I keep mine in their cases with "homemade" humidifiers....
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Posted By:
Ukeguy
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Date: 8/4/2008 8:35:39 PM |
John,
Cracks can be repaired very effectively by a good luthier. Based on personal experience I heartily recommend Bob Smakula, of Smakula Fretted Instruments in Elkins, WVA. He does wonderful work and he's as honest as the day is long. Elderly Instruments, in Lansing, MI also was a wonderful repair staff and they are Kamaka dealers. You might want to check out the builders links on this website and contact them, also. Good luck!
--Mark
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Posted By:
John Pak
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Date: 8/5/2008 2:11:43 AM |
| Thanks for all the info and advice! Appreciate it!
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Posted By:
Uncle Dave
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Date: 8/5/2008 2:55:36 PM |
| I get more Kamakas with cracks to fix than anything else and they are usually old family keepsakes. Martins run a close second. That only means they are keepers and there are more of them out there than other brands. Splits on the soundboard are easy to repair and any local guitar repair guy can take care of it for you. But to have the whole front (do you mean soundboard?)of the uke replaced is a major retrofit requiring finger board removal and "facial uplift" work that will be costly. I did one for an old Martin soprano but it is no longer an "original" Martin. Do you really want to get a "facial uplift" that will take away from its original antique status? If yes, then send it to Oahu to Kamaka. But I would just repair the cracks and keep the original uku intact.
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Posted By:
John Pak
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Date: 8/5/2008 10:50:08 PM |
| Yes, I'm going to take it to Kamaka to see if they can repair the crack without that "facial uplift." It's not a huge crack yet, so I imagine it shouldn't be too difficult for them to repair. Thanks again, all!
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