1870 O Nunes Maderian Machete & 1870 J Gomes Maderian Rajao | Bryan Tolentino & Aaron Keim

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Ukulele Friend is the best ukulele store in Hawaii offering a range of the finest vintage ukuleles and custom ukuleles for purchase. (ukulelefriend.com)
Compiled with 'Aloha' - Here you will find for purchase some of the finest handcrafted vintage ukuleles and custom ukuleles in the world. From the earliest of historical ukulele founders such as Augusto Dias, Manuel Nunes, and Jose Do Espirito Santo to the elegance and tonal complexities offered by the 21st century ukulele luthiers, each instrument is filled with 'personality', both aesthetically and tonally, as demonstrated through the woods, adornments, and voicing of the instruments themselves. And so for many of these instruments, we've taken the time to capture the voicing of each ukulele through studio recordings and ukulele videos for your comparison purposes.
In partnership with some of Hawaii's most recognized musicians and the world's foremost authorities on ukulele history and construction, Ukulele Friend also seeks to advance its efforts through educational videos on the ukulele and select historical guitars.
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[@marimaeabreu]

I have been enjoying watching these videos and the snippets on IG, it's Interesting to learn about the history.

[@ukulelefriend1879]

Mahalo for following, Marimae!

[@rubyrodstewart]

Awesome video! Some of the closest instruments in appearance are the instruments used in the style of son jarocho, from Veracruz Mexico. This is music that came from enslaved Africans who lived in and around the city of Veracruz from the 16th century onward. Many of us are likely familiar with the most popular tune, "La Bamba". Instrument wise the jarana is strummed and has 5 courses in re-entrant tuning, GCEAG (both Gs are the same pitch). The requinto, with 4 and more recently 5 courses is plucked with an espiga (like a reisha from the oud) and is tuned usually CDGc or GADg. The leona is a bass range instrument, tuned just like the aforementioned requinto except the low C is the same as on a cello and the low G the same as on cello as well. It's amazing how closely these instruments look to the machete and rajao you're discussing here. Most are still created in the traditional style - neck and body fashioned from a single block of wood, hollowed out with a top(soundboard) and fretboard glued on. The older stye don't even have a separate fretboard, as with the rennasiance/baroque guitar they had a single neck and body with the fretboard equal level with the soundboard. If you wanted to search these instruments try names like jarana jarocha, etc. There is a great video of the master musician, teacher and luthier in this style, named Tacho Utrera creating an instrument in the traditional style. Anyway, thanks again for your video! I haven't seen much comparision of the machete, rajao or ukelele with the instruments of son jarocho but the tunings, method of playing and appearance seem to suggest some sort of link even if they are only cousins.

[@ukulelefriend1879]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing your insights and for watching the video as well. Mahalo!