The most head-turning uke on eBay at the moment is this 1930’s Abbott Monarch banjo ukulele. It’s pretty much identical to the one made for George Formby and was part of the near mythical Akira Tsumura collection (I’m going to throw a few allegedlies in at this point just to be safe: allegedly, allegedly). Tsumura made his millions selling Kampo medicine and spent a fair wedge of it collecting guitars, banjos and the occasional ukulele. His collection was so valuable, a book of pictures of his banjos sells for $1,250. Unsurprisingly, you’ll need deep pockets if you want this banjo-uke. The last time it came up for auction, bids went as high as $7,500 and it didn’t trouble the reserve.
I’ve never been a fan of the pineapple ukulele shape. They don’t have the same elegance as the standard shape. But one pineapple uke you could never accuse of being inelegant is the KoAloha Pineapple Sunday. The uke is the first of KoAloha’s seven part Masterpiece Signature Series. The $1,500 price tag is worth it just for the grinning photo of Alvin Okami, but if your budget is more limited you could try the standard KoAloha pineapple (but then your back to the inelegant problem).
If you’ve still got some pocket money left after those two, maybe you should fill out your collection with this Custom Moore Bettah ukulele by Chuck Moore.
If you took a shine to the KoAloha super concert ukulele in Jason Arimoto’s Bushman ukulele contest entry, it’s now up for sale on eBay.
I don’t think Ibanez make ukuleles. But, the guy who inspired the company did. And here’s one he made 100 years ago. Not quite as extravagant as some of his guitars.
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