Gibson UB-2 Banjo Ukulele , c. 1932
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Gibson UB-2 Model Banjo Ukulele, c. 1932, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, brown stain finish, laminated maple rim, maple neck with ebonized fingerboard, original black chipboard case.
This is relatively late example of Gibson's UB-2, the mid-line model in the re-designed "Mastertone" era banjo-uke line. It was the first of the new models illustrated in Gibson's catalogs in 1926, followed shortly by the 6-inch rim UB-1 and the full resonator-and-flange UB-3 and UB-4. Early UB-2's have a plain mahogany finish and unbound neck but after a year or two the model was upgraded with some fairly elaborate pearl inlay.
This UB-2 is a relatively late depression-era example from the early 1930s, distinguished by the later script white "Gibson" logo on the headstock. In the 1933-34 catalogs this model listed at $18 which was a fairly substantial sum at the time, and enough to but a pretty good guitar from many other jobbers. By this time the ukulele craze of the 1920s had waned and ukes of all kinds were built in vastly decreased numbers. Both of these factors make this a much rarer instrument than the 1920s version.
The UB-2 features an 8-inch rim, closed back with a flat plate resonator. The neck and rim are maple with a dyed maple fingerboard and bone nut. The bound fingerboard has pearl joined-diamond inlay, while the headstock has a large slanted script stencil "Gibson" logo decal over a pearl four-diamond pattern. The tuners are the same barrel Grover Simplex friction pegs used on many period Gibson, National and Martin ukes.
The hardware is good quality all around, with a heavy hoop and the same "cobra" hooks as Gibson's midline Mastertones. A single Gibson co-ordinator rod is fitted which allows the neck angle to be subtly adjusted. This is a simple but substantial feeling instrument, a great-sounding banjo uke as well as a neat Gibson collectible. t remains nicely original and an excellent player, with a huge sound for such a small instrument. Gibson described it as "Peppy and brilliant but at the same time sweet".
Overall length is 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm.), 8 in. (20.3 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 7/8 in. (352 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This UB-2 is very nice overall, fairly clean overall and all original showing no repairs or alterations. The finish has small dings, nicks and scrapes and a couple of blotchy spots on the back resonator plate but the only really noticeable wear is some of the finish on the back of the neck is rubbed down to the wood. The fingerboard shows divoting in the first position; someone really played this one back in the day! All hardware remains original; the plating shows some typical wear mostly loss to the hooks. This is an excellent playing and great sounding instrument, fun to strum and way louder than it looks! The original purple-lined chipboard case is included, worn but still functional. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This is relatively late example of Gibson's UB-2, the mid-line model in the re-designed "Mastertone" era banjo-uke line. It was the first of the new models illustrated in Gibson's catalogs in 1926, followed shortly by the 6-inch rim UB-1 and the full resonator-and-flange UB-3 and UB-4. Early UB-2's have a plain mahogany finish and unbound neck but after a year or two the model was upgraded with some fairly elaborate pearl inlay.
This UB-2 is a relatively late depression-era example from the early 1930s, distinguished by the later script white "Gibson" logo on the headstock. In the 1933-34 catalogs this model listed at $18 which was a fairly substantial sum at the time, and enough to but a pretty good guitar from many other jobbers. By this time the ukulele craze of the 1920s had waned and ukes of all kinds were built in vastly decreased numbers. Both of these factors make this a much rarer instrument than the 1920s version.
The UB-2 features an 8-inch rim, closed back with a flat plate resonator. The neck and rim are maple with a dyed maple fingerboard and bone nut. The bound fingerboard has pearl joined-diamond inlay, while the headstock has a large slanted script stencil "Gibson" logo decal over a pearl four-diamond pattern. The tuners are the same barrel Grover Simplex friction pegs used on many period Gibson, National and Martin ukes.
The hardware is good quality all around, with a heavy hoop and the same "cobra" hooks as Gibson's midline Mastertones. A single Gibson co-ordinator rod is fitted which allows the neck angle to be subtly adjusted. This is a simple but substantial feeling instrument, a great-sounding banjo uke as well as a neat Gibson collectible. t remains nicely original and an excellent player, with a huge sound for such a small instrument. Gibson described it as "Peppy and brilliant but at the same time sweet".
Overall length is 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm.), 8 in. (20.3 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 7/8 in. (352 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This UB-2 is very nice overall, fairly clean overall and all original showing no repairs or alterations. The finish has small dings, nicks and scrapes and a couple of blotchy spots on the back resonator plate but the only really noticeable wear is some of the finish on the back of the neck is rubbed down to the wood. The fingerboard shows divoting in the first position; someone really played this one back in the day! All hardware remains original; the plating shows some typical wear mostly loss to the hooks. This is an excellent playing and great sounding instrument, fun to strum and way louder than it looks! The original purple-lined chipboard case is included, worn but still functional. Overall Excellent - Condition.