There are limited-edition ukuleles, and then there are ukuleles that feel like genuine pieces of Martin history. The Centennial 1 Concert is very much the latter.

Created to mark 100 years of Martin concert ukuleles, this exceptionally rare instrument is a modern recreation of the kind of concert ukulele Martin was making a century ago. Just 91 were produced, making this a particularly special instrument for Martin enthusiasts and collectors.

The star of the show is the solid sinker mahogany used for the top, back and sides. Reclaimed from rivers in Belize after spending many years submerged, this remarkably old wood has a wonderful depth of grain and gives the Centennial 1 a beautifully warm, rich and resonant voice. There is plenty of character here, with the punch and projection you would expect from a Martin, but with a darker, more complex quality that suits the concert body particularly well.

It’s not a modern, refined sound like many current, explosive-sounding models, but a more relaxed, old-time tone. I guess if you’re looking at this, you’ll probably want that to be the case!

The 12-fret design is faithful to Martin's vintage ukulele tradition, while the East Indian rosewood fingerboard stopping at the body joint leaves more of the soundboard free to vibrate – that’s the theory, anyway (although plenty of ukes with fingerboards extending over the body sound great too!).

The sinker mahogany neck has a comfortable satin finish, while the understated vintage styling is complemented by Madagascar rosewood binding, a multi-stripe rosette and top inlay, mother-of-pearl fret markers and an East Indian rosewood bridge. Waverly nickel ukulele tuners provide a suitably premium finishing touch. These are friction pegs, but particularly fine-quality ones, and they look great. The nut width is a shade over 35.5mm and it is fitted with graphite grey Martin 610 polygut strings.

Inside, a commemorative label features an image of Martin's original North Street factory, where the company's first concert ukuleles were made 100 years ago.

It is made at Martin's facility in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. I have lowered the action and levelled a few high spots on the fretwork on mine. Yes, you get good carpenters in Nazareth, but I had to do a bit on the metalwork!

A very special Martin, and one that is likely to become increasingly collectible. And, of course, it’s a lovely thing to play as well as to look at.

This Centennial model from Martin comes in a well padded, branded gig bag. At the bottom of the page you’ll find some optional extras common to every ukulele on the site - including adding a gig bag - which you can obviously ignore. Hard cases, low G fitting and strap buttons are all viable options though.