Ten String Ukelele?

I did a little quick research and I don't believe that you have a 10-string ukelele! I believe it's actually called a tiple. Here's a quote: "Originally based on the South American tiple (pronounced “tee-play”), the North American tiple (pronounced “ti-pul”) is a 10 string variation of the ukulele. It uses steel strings and was a popular jazz instrument in the 1930's." I've also found it to be called a "tenor ukelele", but the majority of what I've found calls it a "tiple".

I also found this through Wikipedia:

"The Martin Tiple

The American Tiple was redesigned by the famous American guitar company C.F. Martin & Co. for the William J. Smith Co. in New York. This Tiple has 10 Strings. The two outer string courses are doubled; the top course has unisons, and the bottom course contains an octave higher double; the two courses in the middle are tripled, with the octave lower principle in the middle and the octave higher strings on either side of the triple courses. It was first created in 1922 and is tuned high like an ukulele. They have been made ever since, however today they would need to be special ordered.

The strings and tunings on a Martin tiple are as follows:

1: .010, tuned to B
2: .010, B
3: .013, F#
4: .027, F# (octave lower)
5: .013, F#
6: .015, D
7: .029, D (octave lower)
8: .015, D
9: .009, A
10: .025, A (octave lower)

All strings are unwound except for strings 4, 7, and 10, which are bronze wound. The tiple string tunings are a fifth above the corresponding guitar string (like a ukelele). When playing with a guitar in standard tuning, you can read the guitar chords and play the standard ukelele chord patterns. If you do not want to learn the ukelele patterns, transpose the guitar chords up a fourth and use standard guitar patterns on the tiple(i.e., the guitar plays C major, the tiple plays F major)"

And from The Atlas of Plucked Instruments, I found this:

tiple

In the wake of the popularity of the ukulele, the Martin guitar factory made in the 1930's (till 1960's) a small guitar (the size of a tenor ukulele), with steel strings - which was influenced by a South American folk guitar, the tiple [pronounced "tea-play"].

The original tiple (see under Colombia and Chile in South America), has 4 courses of 3 thin metal strings each. The Martin tiple (also made by other factories) however has just 10 strings : 1st and 4th course are double, 2nd and 3th triple.

The tiple is made like a small guitar. The tuning head could be flat (with machines from behind), or slotted (like a classical guitar). The bridge is often a bit larger (rounded on the lower side), probably to have a larger glue surface area for the higher pulling force of 10 steel strings.

The tuning could be like a guitar : aa' d'dd' f#'f#f#' b'b'.

L=700 B=230 H=85mm scale 430mm

I found the name "Regal" mentioned a couple of times as a manufacturer of "more affordable" instruments.

Yeah, Regal used to be a "more affordable" guitar builder that made instruments for others on contract as well. I believe a lot of the early Dobros were built by them.

That tiple is an interesting little instrument!

I would have thought that there would be a differant name for it, Elektrablue did some good research.

Yeah, Regal used to be a "more affordable" guitar builder that made instruments for others on contract as well. I believe a lot of the early Dobros were built by them.

That tiple is an interesting little instrument!

I think you're right, Ricochet! I saw something that mentioned Regal and dobros!

And, I would love to hear what a tiple sounds like strummed! It's got to be interesting with those double and triple courses!

I was looking at paul's "Tiple" and I believe that it could be repaired and restrung by a good luther. Its in pretty good shape except for the bridge, and it feels pretty solid.

I was looking for an audio anything that would allow me to hear a tiple, haven't found it yet, but I did find a picture of a brand new tiple (made in Hawaii) that you can buy on sale for a mere $1999 (Regular price $2500)!!! And, here it is! You can see the double and triple courses pretty well in the soundhole.

Front, back & sides are made of mango wood.... it didn't say what the fretboard is......

OK, I posted a link to this thread and question about sound samples over on the IGS Forum in this thread.

Thanks everyone for the valuable information. Now I am torn whether to put it away in a safe place or fix the bridge, string it up, and learn to play this thing.

Fix it up and play it.

Totally agree! Fix it up and play it!!!! :D

Totally agree! Fix it up and play it!!!! :D

Nice Kitty :lol:

Is that the original cardboard box it came in as well? It's unbelievable that would have lasted all these years! I would have to play it!

Totally agree! Fix it up and play it!!!! :D

Nice Kitty :lol:

Thanks! And, thanks! :D LOL!

Is that the original cardboard box it came in as well? It's unbelievable that would have lasted all these years! I would have to play it!

Yes it is, and its in pretty good shape too :D

Playing it has my vote. It would need a new or rebuilt bridge,and maybe new tuners but everything else looks ok. The neck seems pretty straight.