Harmony 'Roy Smeck Vita-uke' - USA 1927

Here is a 1927 Harmony “Roy Smeck Vita-Uke”, part of the distinctive Vita series released by Harmony of Chicago in mid-1927 and endorsed by the legendary guitarist and performer Roy Smeck, often billed at the time as the “Wizard of the Strings.” The Vita line included a range of instruments spanning Hawaiian and Spanish-style guitars, tenor models, mandolins, and this uniquely designed ukulele, each sharing the same bold aesthetic and innovative construction approach.

This example features figured Cuban mahogany back and sides paired with a solid spruce top, a tonal combination that delivers both warmth and clarity with strong projection. The body size sits between a traditional soprano and concert scale, giving it a slightly expanded tonal range and added depth compared to smaller ukuleles of the period. The distinctive “seal-shaped” soundholes are a hallmark of the Vita series design, contributing to both its visual identity and tonal character.

Vita ukuleles are known for their responsiveness and strong acoustic voice, and this example is no exception, presenting as a particularly clean and stable instrument. Early production details include a visible “Patent Pending” stamp inside the lower soundhole, indicating manufacture from the earlier phase of the series before later production refinements in the mid-1930s.

Condition is excellent for its age, with the commonly seen spruce-top cracking around the soundholes notably absent in this example. It remains structurally sound and highly playable, offering a clear, musical tone with impressive resonance for its size.

It is accompanied by a non-original 1930s-era case, likely originally intended for a banjo-mandolin, which is in excellent condition and provides suitable protection for the instrument.

Specifications: 

Year: 1927
Country: USA
Series: Harmony “Vita” series (Chicago, released mid-June 1927)
Endorsement: Roy Smeck (“Wizard of the Strings”)
Instrument Line: Included Hawaiian, tenor, Spanish guitars, mandolin, and ukulele models
Body Size: Between soprano and concert scale
Back & Sides: Figured Cuban mahogany
Top: Solid spruce
Soundhole: Distinctive seal-shaped soundhole
Top Condition: Crack-free (noting typical models often develop splits near soundholes)
Marking: “Patent Pending” stamp visible through lower soundhole (early production indicator)
Production Period: Manufactured through mid-1930s
Sound: Excellent tone; strong, resonant, and highly playable
Collectability: Highly collectible vintage Harmony ukulele
Case: Non-original 1930s-era case (likely Banjo-Mandolin case), in excellent condition