Gibson UB-1 Banjo Ukulele , c. 1928
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Item # 11492
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Gibson UB-1 Model Banjo Ukulele, c. 1928, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, shaded maple finish, maple neck and rim, ebonized fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This little model is one of our perennial favorites! Although the diminutive UB-1 (retailing originally at $10.00) was the least expensive instrument Gibson ever offered, these are still very well-made and have a unique tone all to themselves rather like the sound is already coming off of a 78 RPM disc! The UB-1 is perfect for bringing closet flappers out of the woodwork. Usually these had a flat-plate resonator on the back, but this one has no signs on the rim of the requisite screw holes so we can only assume none was ever mounted. Like all UB's this is fun, extremely playable, and awful darn cute.
Overall length is 19 3/4 in. (50.2 cm.), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 12 1/2 in. (318 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This little UB has seen some use but plays and sounds very well. There are some old repaired seams in the multi-laminate rim, with one noticeable split in the capping near the heel; all are solidly sealed but visible, especially so without a back to hide them. The instrument is otherwise complete and original. There is minor finish wear, with some light rubs to the edge of the neck. The plating on the tailpiece has a some corrosion but most of the rest of the finish and plating is relatively clean. Set up with a period Rogers head, NylGut strings and an old Grover bridge this is fine player with the patented "78RPM" sound in spades, housed in a modern uke-shaped hard case. Very Good + Condition.
This little model is one of our perennial favorites! Although the diminutive UB-1 (retailing originally at $10.00) was the least expensive instrument Gibson ever offered, these are still very well-made and have a unique tone all to themselves rather like the sound is already coming off of a 78 RPM disc! The UB-1 is perfect for bringing closet flappers out of the woodwork. Usually these had a flat-plate resonator on the back, but this one has no signs on the rim of the requisite screw holes so we can only assume none was ever mounted. Like all UB's this is fun, extremely playable, and awful darn cute.
Overall length is 19 3/4 in. (50.2 cm.), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 12 1/2 in. (318 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This little UB has seen some use but plays and sounds very well. There are some old repaired seams in the multi-laminate rim, with one noticeable split in the capping near the heel; all are solidly sealed but visible, especially so without a back to hide them. The instrument is otherwise complete and original. There is minor finish wear, with some light rubs to the edge of the neck. The plating on the tailpiece has a some corrosion but most of the rest of the finish and plating is relatively clean. Set up with a period Rogers head, NylGut strings and an old Grover bridge this is fine player with the patented "78RPM" sound in spades, housed in a modern uke-shaped hard case. Very Good + Condition.