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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