Got A Ukulele Reviews - Martin T1 Streetmaster Tenor Ukulele 

i have owned this uke for months now and i actually adore it. i set it up proper with a luthier as it needed it out of the box. added Living Waters strings (Cuatro uke tuning) which made this ukulele sound sweet and warm.

there is one thing that's cool about reliced instruments. If you have a very expensive instrument that's reliced you don't need to worry about scratching or bumping it a little bit if you would ever want to sell it again

Another great review and one I was keen to see. If only there was a well-made all-solid mahogany tenor with the distinctive looks and warm, rich sound of an old-style Martin, but without the phony and contrived aged finish. And if only it had a decent rosewood fingerboard, some attractive open-geared tuners, a comfortable 36mm nut, a transfer instead of a cheap sticker on the headstock, a good quality gig bag and a more affordable price tag of about £250. Something, in fact, like my Sigma SUM-2T. Shame it's discontinued, because it's a cracking uke.

I love my Martin T1 streetmaster. Some maynot agree but I really like the looks, the feel and the sound is top notch. Few brands come anywhere close to the openness of a Martin Uke. I think alot of folkz tend to be overly critical about features/looks. The Sipo fretboards on Martins give a nice punchy sound and the Tusq nut/saddle provide warmth and unparelled intonation. Highly recommend all Martin ukes! I have 4 Martin ukes and they are all top tier.

I own a Martin T1 Mohogahny Tenor ukulele from 1966 my father purchased around the time i was born on August 2. Since my dad passed away 8 years ago it has passed down to me and has been on the walls of my den. I still play it on occasion. Mine is naturally "reliced". I do not like fake "reliced" either. And mine has real bone. i still have my dads old ukulele case too. it is also naturally "reliced".

Martin fan and owner (HD28) here. I enjoy and appreciate you reviews. I don’t live very far from the Pennsylvania factory so I guess I’m a little partial. 😊 But anyway, I do agree very much with your take on the fake worn finish (same gripe I have with the Fender road series) tuners and fretboard. Very good review, thanks.

Thanks for the review. I was hoping you would review one. I'm a big Martin fan and have a concert 2K koa uke and 2 guitars. I have mixed feelings on the looks, but the sound is as good as one would expect from Martin. Didn't know about the issues with the tuners, so thanks for the heads up. This one is definitely on my short list of ukes to buy next.

Any chance you can get your hands on one of the new Martin 0 tenors with sinker mahogany? I'm really curious about those.

helpful and honest review as always. THANK YOU for all your reviews. I've learned a lot.

Love the sound! Martins always sound great, but the aesthetics are a rare miss by Martin. The looks can best be described as "meh" to me. But to be fair, I am with you in that I would never buy a stringed instrument with a relic finish. I do not understand that, either. Let me wear it in myself. I guess it is like the old silly buy your jeans with holes already in them. I just don't get it! Thanks, Baz!

Agreed. The fake distressing is unnecessary and detracts. Looking at that bridge, though, I'm reminded of a query I've had for a while. Why do most ukuleles have bridges constructed from dried-out looking wood that rarely, if ever, looks like it aesthetically belongs on the instrument? Maybe I'm being too picky, but it's so commonplace, I've been hesitant to mention it.

Thank you for a good review Sir.........I am right now looking for a Koa tenor uke to purchase and was hoping to purchase a Kamaka or a Kenilea but the price has somewhat put me off. I did own a Martin TK1 few years ago and sold it because I didn't quite warm up to it. I do own a Kiwaia concert hog right now and wasn't thinking of looking for another hog, but after hearing this Street Master, my attention has swung somewhat. You are right about the look, tuners, finger boar/neck and the headstock. I don't like it at all BUT, the sound has really caught my attention. Suddenly I have forgotten about the aesthetics surrounding the uke. It sounds fantastic, just wondering how it plays? Thanking you kindly.

Great review Baz (as usual). TBH, I don't really care about the looks, it's how it plays & sounds that's important to me, so long as it isn't shocking pink or has the image of a cartoon dolphin plastered across it. Personally, I quite like the way Martin's done the relic-ing (is there such a word?). Yeah, it's very silly & contrived but quite subtly done & I get the neck is supposed to imply a "home-built" look, hence the pale colour. It's clearly a nicely made piece of kit & sounds great. Those tuners would bother me though - why pay 450 quid for a uke with self-destructing tuners?!

As ever, thanks Baz for another great review. In this instance, patina is something on an instrument, that over time, shows the joy it has brought you. I have a satin mahogany uke that is becoming more polished from my forearm over time. Which I really like. I am also puzzled as if the instrument is to show a patina look. Why on earth would you then stick an unblemished un aged, horrid, marine ply looking fingerboard on it. However. Close your eyes and once it is played, it sounds lovely. I like the rear facing tuners and don’t know enough about the reliability. Am with you on where an instrument is built. For me is irrelevant, it’s the quality and sound I am buying into. Have a great week.

Can't argue with that tone. Sounds as good as my Kanilea which costs almost 3 times as much. I'm okay with artificial antiquing. The fretboard, bridge and tuners look a little cheap to me though at least on video. I like it enough to make a point of looking out for one to try out in person.

Great review. Contrived great Definition. Goes for all brands and Guitars..

I agree with you about the fake wear look. The instrument should earn its wear -which is why the vintage wear is prized, because it’s earned. I have the Martin T1K which I do love.

Great review! Sounds nice and is priced well. I agree with you on the relicking, it doesn't look right.

Looks OK sounds fantastic though. Is that a longer neck or is it just me? Keep cool Barry 😎

Hi Baz. Hope you’re keeping well. Have to say, I’m catching up on a lot of your videos, and whether I like the instrument being reviewed or not, I still really enjoy the content and your style. I’m not even actively looking to buy anything at present. With regards to this Martin. The looks don’t bother me personally. Would I look especially for something ‘Road worn’? No, but I don’t hate it. The ‘greeting card’ sticker logo is a disappointment and the tuner material is known for breakage issues so they would be the two things that I’d think about more. But what far outweighs those is that tone! Absolutely gorgeous. And for that reason alone, I could definitely live with one of these. I’m not from the US so the fact it isn’t built in the USA doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Keep up the fantastic work my friend

Thanks for another interesting review Baz. I love the sound of this one. I don't mind the looks generally speaking apart that fretboard, which grates a bit, because it looks a little like an afterthought or a 'mistake' but I'm more into sound and this sounds really lovely. Cheers mate! 👍

Great review! I'm looking for a solid wood tenor uke and this will be in the list. I agree that the wear on the body is poorly done, but I could live with it. The fingerboard doesn't bother me much, but I kinda like pianos with the key colors reversed, too. The quality of the tuners is worrisome, though - Martin's warranty on the 1 series ukes is only 1 year.

Baz! This was a very tens and also funny review. It is clear that you had quite a hard time going through it all. Rader than annoyed you seemed hurt! I don't like the "reliced" concept and with that in mind it seems badly done. But I do like the dark brown tone just for the sake of it. Perhaps if it were stained for that purpose it could have been really cool looking. Matching with an ebony fretboard, even better! Soundwise it is a stunning deep sounding instrument. Thanks for the review!

greetings from Mexico colleague (I'm Erick Sukery, I've commented on other videos)

real,real ,NICE

Nice review, as ever. One thing to note about the Streetmaster series is also a way for Martin to use pieces of wood which are not aesthetically perfect but are as good as any other regarding their sound qualities (that's what Christian Frederick Martin IV said during the last Namm when the presented their first Rosewood back and side streemaster guitar). Apparently, this finish make them able to hide some blemishes on wood that might not be useable otherwise. So in terms of durability I think it is a good option. I don't see the point in relic instruments, but the Streemaster series for me is more to be seen as a peculiar non homogeneous finish than a real relic (hence the discolouration not necessarily made on localisation that are normally not subjected to play wear, hence it does not bother me too much). But the Streatmaster series guitars are much better looking than this Uke, most notably because indeed this pale wood used for the neck makes it look weird with that dark mahogany on the body.

It's been a global heat wave this year. Record temperatuires everywhere.

An istrument (any instrument) that costs 400+ euros should not have the sticker that easily peels off the headstock, I think this lack of attention to details can cause some damage to the company image in the long run. Excellent review as usual!

Thanks - great review! In your opinion, what is the optimal string height at the 12th fret?

Agree with you on the fingerboard and contrived aging and tuners. I have the previous version the T1 tenor solid mahogany satin and I think it has a rosewood fretboard. Sounds is excellent as well. The reason why Martin makes the "streetmaster" is frankly because it is easier and quicker to make. I'd get a new or used "old" T1 before the streetmaster series.

What can you say it sounds like a Martin. I really don’t mind the choice of color but the aging is not necessary. I don’t like the neck that light either. The price is ok for a well built instrument. I kind of like the tuners. Interesting review as always. It was 100 degrees and I was melting here in South Carolina USA so I feel ya. Stay cool my friend…DOC

these are really not selling lol i offered 400.00 new and seller accepted ..on reverb many sellers sent me offers for 449.00 so i can tell these are not selling yet every one that gets one seems to like the tone and quality.i have a o soprano and a s1 i love them both .i wish they would do a t1.they have done a solid sapele fsr one with geared tuners maybe you can review it in the future.i wanted a martin tenor for a long time .agree with logo and the very bad fading hope i can get over that thanks for the review

Hi Baz, thanks for the review... I don't mind "manufactured" instruments as opposed to small batch luthier instruments. Are we playing an instrument for its looks or its sound? There are "1300" species of acacia of which koa acacia is one. Custom built/Master built instruments carry a premium for instrument set up and customer preference... An example of hand-built instruments is Alegre guitar factory, Lapu Lapu, Cebu, Philippines... They do a range of ukulele's in different tone woods... Good to know your vessels from your tracheids (wood structure) It would be interesting to see what English timber instruments sound like...

Yeah, I never understood the appearance or appeal of purchasing anything, whether jeans, shirts or instruments that have been factory "worn". The ukulele sounds good though. Nice review! ✌🏼👍🏼

Great review. I have a green Martin Ox hpl soprano uke which I like a lot and have been thinking about getting one of these. I agree about the look, I like an instrument with character and some battle scars, that's cool but not if it's fake. I might get one besides that though it's not all about looks of course.

I looked at one yesterday... I actually thought it was used!! Now I understand... Here I thought it was maybe a half-century old... (like my Kamaka.) haha! thanks for enlightening me!

So, what you are saying is that other than subjective items, it is a really good ukulele. I kind of like the finish on my T1 Streetmaster tenor. But, with Worth Brown Low Gs on mine, the finish is secondary. Simply put, it sounds like a million bucks. For $449 from Mim's with Mim's standard complete setup, it plays extremely well and feels great. How much do I like it? Well, I generally take it instead of my Martin 2K tenor, and other high end tenors I own. For me, and you stress that much of impression is subjective on items that really don't impact the sound, the construction and sound are the biggies. While I totally agree with you on the Martin foil headstock sticker, I love my Martin T1 Streetmaster, along with my Martin S1 and C1K Mexican made ukuleles. Not a ton of fancy bling, but tremendous value for the money. I'd buy my T1 Streetmaster again in a minute! And, a big thanks for your reviews. They are great!

not a fan of the finish but would say when you were strumming (10.57) the artificial wear both top and bottom was where you were playing....the bit below the nut must be from assumed rack damage......the head wear has me scratching my head........sounded great

Thanks for a nice and well done review ❤ Martin are well known for good craftmanship, and this one is no exception, but if I pay for a new product, I exspect a nice and well made finish, whatever matte or gloss. Absolutely not a "worn" one. The major cost for makeing a ukulele is time. (Time is money) Now the have spent time for the uke to look old. Bad!

Yep. Had that same tuner post snap on a Tyde uke.

Great review. A little too expensive for me. Agreed, I don't like pre-distressed products either. Great tone and sustain. Thanks.

i actually like the look, though I agree they could have thought about the "aging" more

I agree on the 'contrived ageing look'. I'm not a great fan of buying jeans full of holes either! Lol I suppose it's mainly about how it sounds but you want to enjoy the aesthetics of your instrument too.

I agree on the relic issue. I never buy into the phony relic stuff and my instrument will age in my hands in real time - So I bought the T1 - but hate the headstock stamp - cheap -and might return it - the IZ seems the best option but of course the money jump is huge

I think that headstock crown is meant to work double duty as a weapon if necessary!

I once had this uke. Much like Baz’s experience, the action was high and the fret ends less than perfect. That said - I really liked the tone and the neck and nut width made chord fingering easier for me. Because neither of the two shops I respect most (SUS & WOU) stocked it, I ultimately concluded it must not be very good and sought an upgrade. I sold it and purchased a Millar - which feels very well-made - but I prefer the volume and sustain the Martin provided. I often regret parting with it.

This ukulele has been on the U.S. Martin website for at least a year and I've been puzzling over it all that time. I puzzled over it because the looks have always left me cold. I just don't understand the cosmetic choices. I honestly don't know why Martin would choose a relic'ed finish on a ukulele. The main thing I wanted to hear about in the review (I knew what you'd say about the appearance, and agree completely) was the ratio tuners I think the black is dead ugly, but I am curious about their performance, and whether they're available in other colors. The use of a non-metal composite, subject to breaking, on the posts is bad news if uncorrected. A good review, as always, and I would think, a difficult one considering the build quality, and warm mahogany tone from a successfully revived line if ukes from a historic builder, coupled with bizarre design choices.

Like this one , but not the bridge , that looks like its made of an offcut . Would have looked nicer in my opinion with a dark wood fretboard.. But everything else looks nice Great review as always

Looks fine to me. Player for 11 years. Most uke players I know would be happy with one.

Agree. Also fret markers are tiny.

Totally agree.

When you get a chance if you don't mind, please review the new Cordoba 15CM Matiz Concert . . . similar to the 2 Anuenue Concerts behind you on your sofa.

Love the sound and I do like the look. It reminds me of vintage clothes that are not really vintage, or like a cowboy on a Dusty Road. To me, there's something I find Charming about it. That's just what I see though. 😁🎶

I like the looks but am not as hung up on looks as long it plays well. Intonation, tone, and ease of play are what I care about.

I love relic instruments, but you're right. This one isn't "worn" in the places an instrument wears. It reminds me of Fender's first-gen road worn guitars. They were awful. The second-gen was amazing though.

Maybe it's not a "relic" look but just a visual treatment. I sort've like it :) I would've made it more extreme though.

The faux relic finish doesn't bother me as much as the light fingerboard. I just don't feel like they're a good match. Same for the sound hole decoration. But made in Mexico? That doesn't bother me at all. I'm sure Mexico has good craftsman too, and Martin has a reputation for good quality control, so if producing it across the border can help them keep the price down, that's fine with me.

Thanks!

I don't like the look of Graph Tech ukulele tuners, but they have the best feel of any ukulele tuners I've ever experienced.

One of your best reviews Baz. Looks aside, this instrument is fine, a little more so if you're partial to Martin's, understandably. But in IMO, the industry has outpaced Martin and a 500.000 all solid Martin doesn't carry the same cache' it used to. There are just several ukes I would rather have at that price point. Cheers

Hi Baz, I love these middle of the road reviews more than I enjoy the reviews of excellent instruments. I have to be honest, for what it is, I have to say I think it's pricey. The only reason I say that is because I recently got a Kamoa solid spruce walnut tenor from SUS at £250. You will know that these instruments have tool markings hence why they were sold at a reduced price. I would sooner have tool markings than that awful reliced. The sound of my Kamoa knocks that Martin out of the park too. Love your honesty, love the review, but that instrument is just not for me. Thanks again.

I use that model 8 month. The Sipo fretboard was really terrible. So that ukes neck was bow so easily. I changed tuner Cause it was broken. And I lost that Sticker Logo.🥲 But that model sounds really perfect for me.

👏👏👏‼️ if you’re going to fake it, do it well. The bridge shouldh’ve been oiled in an attempt to give it ‘age’ & match it to the bout- it looks so dry it could almost spontaneously combust. Fingerboard is another clear mis-match to the body. How about some tea or coffee to stain the pale paper Martin label inside🤔? The visible, pale bracing is another mis-match to the ‘aged’ bout. …..in other news it sounds good 😯👍!

A quick update; I just received the Martin press release showing this distressed finish on four guitars. The guitars look even worse than this ukulele. All are called Streetmaster. The larger size of the guitars emphasize how awful they look. I repeat, I don't get it.

I played some Martins and was disappointed. Maybe I got my hopes too high.

I don’t like the relic look. I don’t like the looks of it period. I agree with you. I won’t get one for that reason.

That headstock looks much brighter than the body, this is what almost bugs me the most.

The 'contrived' aged look means that they didn't pay attention to natural age. It looks to me like they were just going with a fad and didn't take into consideration the people who would play the instrument and what they might like. I paint furniture to look old but feek 'new'. The #1 rule is to 'aging' a piece is to do so in the places where it would naturally receive wear. If you age it without paying attention to what would be normal wear many people - esp those with a good eye - will curl their lip at it.

Baz, I agree, I don’t care for the looks. The fake aging is a bad idea. But Martin players don’t buy for looks. There are only a few ukes that sound better. I don’t think plastic tuners are good enough for this brand. Martin neck shapes are about the best that one can find. Oh, and that unfinished bridge looks awful. The fretboard should have been stained as well?? I can tell you that the Mexican workers are very picky about quality. I almost bought a Mexican concert scale when they first came out, but I didn’t need another uke at the time. I have no compunctions about a Mexican built ukulele. Martin purists don’t want the market flooded with these, they think it devalues their vintage ukes. Martin started building ukuleles during a very rough time, when guitar sales sucked. Then they stopped, for a few decades. I wonder if Martin guitar is hurting again.

I don't like the look hope the sinker model fairs better but at 3 times the cost you'd think it would

Such a shame that a company like Martin, with such provenance and influence on the ukulele, have dropped way down the pecking order with their modern ukulele lines.

Looks crummy, sounds fine. The blotchy staining job makes me want to apply some tinted furniture polish, and the fretboard is the color of peanut brittle. Tsk, tsk, Martin!

I am just looking at that bridge and thinking that there is a real probability of it breaking into a few pieces

I always think faked 'wear' looks terrible under a uniform, unworn finish. There seems to be plethora of pale fretboard ukes around, whether it's cost, availability of woods due to CITIES or whatever they look unfinished with a darker bodied instrument. Come on, get the dark stain out! Grudgingly have to admit it sounds really good though.

My brother has this uke. He thinks Martin should stick to guitars.

If you want a reliced guitar or ukulele, then take your expensive instrument and kick it around the car park for an hour.

The first time I saw this ukulele, I just couldn't believe it was a Martin. I thought it was some copy bragging Martin's name, lol. I don't understand this particular choice made by them to produce an expensive an excellent instrument and make it look like a random cheap crap. The "aging" is disastrously fake looking, the color doesn't enhance the nobility of the mahogany, and that wood choice for the bridge just looks so... raw. I'll stick to my Kiwaya, lol.

I hate seeing any instrument that’s been aged artificially, you wouldn’t buy a new car if they had artificially aged it with sand paper!

I am waiting for the Willie Nelson commemorative with random holes ground into it. Candidly, I hate blue jeans with manufactured wear (and the fact that it is increasingly difficult to find new jeans that look new) and I lump instant-relic instruments in with that philosophy. Sounds nice, and I like Tune-a-lele tuners, but I’ve seen some QC horror stories on this model.

You are right, that's so ...cheesy and fake. The Martin Co should be holding their heads down in shame.

This relic nonsense has to stop enough already 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Don’t like relic

Yuk! Like nothing about it. Heaps of better asian and european ukes. Most for less money.

It’s not solid, it’s laminate

You're getting too grumpy....

Dear Baz ,and all left-handed players like me, I have a question to ask. Since there aren't many left-handed ukes, I have a right-handed Mahimahi soprano that I just reversed the strings on (I know the importance of a left-handed guitar, I own a pair of lefty Martins). Do you think this Martin right-handed uke could sound just as good just by reversing the strings, or do you have any alternatives to suggest? I write from Italy. Thank you!