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That concludes our list of the most expensive ukuleles ever made. The fretboard is made of ebony, and the entire instrument has a high gloss lacquer finish. The body consists of elegant Brazilian rosewood, along with a bit of mahogany. He got his hands on ukulele making around 1978, and one of his best works has to be his custom concert uke. This ukulele actually hails from Santa Cruz, CA.Īnthony “Tony” Graziano has been producing top-quality instruments since the late 1960s and early 1970s. Unlike most of the other ukuleles on this list, the Graziano Custom Concert Ukulele wasn’t crafted in Hawaii. The custom Graziano Concert ukulele looks bold but sounds super soft and melodic when playing. Devine Maui Railroad Redwood Koa “Tenetone” Custom When you c ombine that with the unique story and rarity of the Elia, you’ll understand the hefty price tag of this instrument. What makes this ukulele the most expensive ukulele in the world? For starters, John D’Angelico is a noteworthy luthier (a maker of stringed instruments such as violins or guitars) who was no stranger to luxury.

So what made this ukulele worth so much money? A private collector bought the exquisite ukulele for an extraordinary $26,000. This was the case until 2007 when the Ukulele resurfaced on the online marketplace eBay. Felix Papalardi is a well-known music producer, working alongside the rock band Cream.įelix’s girlfriend murdered Felix in 1983, and the ukulele disappeared for countless years.

After the owner, Elia, passed away, her son Felix Papalardi became the owner of the ukulele. John named the ukulele after Elia Pappalardi, who was the woman who commissioned the instrument. John D’Angelico crafted the second most expensive ukulele ever sold, the “Elia”. Here are the 14 most expensive ukuleles in the world If you’ve got thousands of dollars burning a hole in your pocket, then you might find the right ukulele for you. People across the globe were soon strumming a ukulele, and its popularity continues to grow to this day.Ĭontinue reading below to learn more about the world’s most lavish ukuleles. Over the next century, the ukulele became tremendously popular throughout the United States. It was the native Hawaiian version of the Portuguese machete, a small guitar-like instrument. The first ukuleles date back to Hawaii during the 19th century. The ukulele might not be the first instrument that comes to mind when you think of luxurious collectibles, but there is a market for premium ukes. Whether it’s an antique violin or a custom Louis Vitton guitar, you’ll find instruments worth more than three houses. The world of music is chock-full of premium and valuable instruments. How much would it cost you to strum the most expensive ukuleles in the world?
