Israel Kamakawiwo’ole “IZ” 1T Tenor Ukulele Commemorative Custom Signature Edition
Transcription
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole “IZ” 1T Tenor Ukulele Commemorative Custom Signature Edition
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole “IZ” 1T Tenor Ukulele Commemorative Custom Signature Edition The “IZ” 1T Commemorative Tenor Ukulele An Over The Rainbow Tribute To The Legendary Israel Kamawiwo’ole Beloved in life, Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole has become even more so since his death in 1997 at the too-young age of 38. His beautiful voice and elegant ukulele accompaniment – as showcased in his hit “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” – have enchanted people everywhere and helped spark a renaissance in traditional Hawaiian music. For much of his career, Israel – or IZ, as he is affectionately known – cherished a vintage Martin tenor ukulele, which he played at recording sessions and in concert. After he died, his body and his treasured uke were cremated together, and their ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean off Oahu in a ceremony attended by thousands. To honor Israel Kamakawiwo’ole and his musical legacy, C. F. Martin & Co. introduces the Martin lT IZ Commemorative Custom Signature Edition tenor ukulele. Inspired by Martin 1T tenor ukes from the 1940s and 1950s, the lT IZ features rare tonewoods, handsome inlays and distinctive appointments that capture the unique spirit of the man whose name it bears. A native of Kaimuki, just east of Waikiki, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole began playing music before he reached his teens. Both of his parents worked at a lounge that featured live Hawaiian music, and IZ frequently was invited on stage to sit in with his ukulele. As a young teenager, he moved with his family to Makaha, a small town on the west coast of Oahu that was – and is – a stronghold of traditional Hawaiian culture. In 1976, he joined forces with his brother Skippy and three friends to form the Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau. Over the next 14 years, the group recorded several albums, won numerous Na Hoku awards (Hawaii’s most prestigious musical honor) and became an ambassador for traditional Hawaiian music. In 1990, Kamakawiwo’ole went solo with the release of Ka ‘Ano ‘i, but it was his second album, 1993’s Facing Future, that made him a star. The single “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” became an international hit and - in 1995 - Facing Future became Hawaii’s first certified Platinum (sales of one million copies in the U.S.) album. E Ala E and N Dis Life, albums released in 1995 and 1996 respectively, cemented his reputation as Hawaii’s premier musician. IZ struggled with obesity throughout his life and at one point weighed well over 700 pounds. Frequently hospitalized in his latter years, he died from weight-related health issues on June 26, 1997. In his honor, the Hawaiian state flag was flown at halfmast and his coffin lay in state in the Hawaii State Capital Building, only the third person in Hawaiian history to be so honored. Though IZ is gone, his music continues to resonate. Two posthumous album releases of live material, new songs and alternative takes, IZ in Concert: the Man and His Music and Alone in IZ World, were well received both critically and commercially. “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” has been featured in movies, television shows and commercials around the world, and in late 2010 hit No. 1 on the German, French and Swiss singles charts. The 1T IZ Commemorative Custom Artist tenor ukulele is a large ukulele with plenty of volume. The body – top, back and sides – of the 1T IZ is crafted from rare quilted mahogany. The top is accented with fine black/white wood fiber purfling and an intricate multiply black/white wood fiber rosette. Black wood fiber purfling also accents the back, and the top sports a tortoise color binding. The genuine mahogany neck features an East Indian rosewood fingerboard – 14 frets to the body, 20 frets total - inlaid with mother of pearl dot position markers at the 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th and 15th frets. The tie bridge also is East Indian rosewood. Both the nut and compensated saddle are crafted from black TUSQ®, a synthetic that approximates ebony in appearance and ivory in tone. The crowning glory of the 1T IZ Commemorative Custom Artist is the headstock. East Indian rosewood provides the backdrop for beautiful inlays; “IZ” in Hawaiian koawood and a hibiscus flower (symbolic of Hawaii) in pink awabi pearl. Both inlays are nestled under the familiar gold C. F. Martin & Co. logo and are flanked by unique black geared violin-style “PegHeds®” tuners. In keeping with ukulele tradition, the 1T IZ Commemorative Custom Artist receives a dark mahogany satin finish. A left-handed version of this instrument may be ordered for no additional charge: factory-installed sound reinforcement is an extra-cost option. Delivered in an embroidered protective bag, each 1T IZ Commemorative Custom Artist tenor ukulele bears an interior label individually signed by Marlene Kamakawiwo’ole, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s wife, and numbered in sequence without total. Authorized C. F. Martin & Co. dealers will take orders for the currently openended 1T IZ Commemorative Custom Signature Edition tenor ukulele beginning immediately. More information may be found at the Martin website, www.martinguitar.com. v Aside from the beautiful quilted mahogany selected for the top, back and sides, and the delicate headstock inlays, the IZ Tenor ukulele features black violin style tuners with internal geared mechanisms. This is the first Martin ukulele to feature these unique tuners that closely replicate the visual appearance of the ebony friction pegs found on the early Martin ukulele models. PegHeds® “IZ” 1T TENOR UKULELE COMMEMORATIVE CUSTOM SIGNATURE EDITION – SPECIFICATIONS MODEL: “IZ” 1T Israel Kamakawiwo’ole Commemorative Tenor Ukulele CONSTRUCTION: Applied Dovetail BODY SIZE: Tenor Ukulele TOP: Quilted Mahogany ROSETTE: Single Ring – B/W/B/B/W/B TOP BRACES: Sitka Spruce, Traditional 1T Tenor Ukulele Pattern BACK: Quilted Mahogany BACK PURFLING: None CAUTION STAMP: None, “C. F. Martin & Co., Nazareth, PA, Made in USA” Stamped Between 1st and 2nd Back Braces BLOCK TO READ: (Laser Etched Martin Logo) CUSTOM ARTIST Israel Kamakawiwo’ole Serial Number SIDES: Quilted Mahogany RIBBON: Spanish Cedar END PIECE: None TOP BINDING: 1/8” Brown Tortoise Color with .030” B/W Wood Fiber Inlay SIDE INLAY: None BACK BINDING: None BACK INLAY: None NECK: Genuine Mahogany with Applied Dovetail NECK SHAPE: Traditional Tenor Ukulele Shape TRUSS ROD: None HEADSTOCK: Solid, Traditional Tenor Ukulele Shape HEADPLATE: Solid East Indian Rosewood Hibiscus Flower Inlaid in Japanese Awabi “IZ” Letters Inlaid In Hawaiian Koa HEADSTOCK BINDING: None HEELCAP: None NUT: Black Tusq® FINGERBOARD: Solid East Indian Rosewood SCALE LENGTH: 17" (Compensated to 17.125”) # OF FRETS CLEAR: 14 # OF FRETS TOTAL: 20 FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/32" FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12th FRET: 1 23/32” SIDE POSITION DOTS: White, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th FINGERBOARD BINDING: None FINGERBOARD INLAYS: .130” Mother of Pearl Dots Single at 5th, 7th, 10th. Double at 12th. Single at 15th. FINISH BODY: 15 Sheen Satin, Dark Mahogany Stain, Dark Filler FINISH TOP: 15 Sheen Satin, Dark Mahogany Stain, Dark Filler (Masked Inlays) FINISH NECK: 15 Sheen Satin, Dark Mahogany Stain, Dark Filler BRIDGE: East Indian Rosewood with Traditional Tenor Ukulele Tie Block BRIDGE/STRING SPACING: 1 5/8" SADDLE: Black Tusq®, Compensated TUNERS: Unique Black Geared Violin Style “PegHeds®” Tuners STRINGS: M-620 Tenor Ukulele BRIDGE & END PINS: None PICKGUARD: None CASE: Next Generation Padded Foam INTERIOR LABEL(S): Personally Signed By Marlene Kamakawiwo’ole Numbered In Sequence Without Total Secondary Commemorative Photo Label, 1959-1997 NO CHARGE OPTIONS: Lefthanded At No Additional Charge Israel Kamakawiwo’ole Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Tenor Ukulele Commemorative Edition SAMPLE Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole Edition #______ Israel Kamakawiwo'ole 1959 1997 SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $1999.00 This model may be ordered through your local Authorized Martin Dealership