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Considered one of the parent instruments, “the father”, of the modern day ukulele, the ukulele is believed to have received its current tuning of G-C-E-A from the Rajao, which is tuned D-G-C-E-A. To my knowledge there are only a few examples of these early historical Madeira rajao remain in existence either in private collections or a few museums throughout the world. This extremely rare 1890 Historical Joao Gomes Madeira Rajao is a world class collectible over 100 years in age. The instrument originated on the island of Madeira, Portugal and was handcra

Beautiful Maderian Rajao handcrafted by Henrique Rodrigues of Funchal, Madeira. Fashioned after the work of  historical luthier Octavinno Joao Nunes, this beautiful rajao was handcrafted of American Walnut wood back and sides with some of the finest European Spruce available on the soundboard. The neck was handcrafted from figured Chestnut, taken from the frame of an old piece of furniture on the island. The bridge and fretboard were handcrafted from Indian Rosewood with Brazilian Rosewood tuning pegs. The nut, saddle, bridge pins, and buttons were made of old boxwo

Beautiful custom Machetinho handcrafted in Madeira, Portugal by Carlos Jorge Pereira Rodrigues – one of Maderia’s most foremost instrument luthiers. This instrument is 14 inches in total length and is a homage piece to an original machetinho from the mid 1800s. The back and sides of the body were handcrafted of Cedar da Iiha or ‘Cedar of the land’, an endemic wood to Madeira frequently used on instruments of yesteryear as well as today. The soundboard used is spruce that was repurposed from an old piano on Madeira. The neck is also of a local

Beautiful 1900s Historical Sopranino Ukulele handcrafted in Hawaii at the turn of the century. This instrument is 14 inches in total length and was fashioned in similar approach to its distant cousin, the machetinho – a small instrument roughly similar in size handcrafted on the island of Madeira, Portugal in the mid 1800s. Handcrafted on Hawaii of Hawaiian Koa wood, this historical instrument is a truly wonderful and rare example of a rare sopranino. Typical Hawaii Spanish style construction consistent with all early ukuleles handcrafted in Hawaii with meticu