Avalon Banjo Ukulele , c. 1925
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Item # 3273
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Avalon Banjo Ukulele, c. 1925, made in New York, brown stain finish, brown canvas gig bag case.
An interesting if simple mid-20's openback banjo ukulele. "Avalon" was a brand name of Henry Stadlmair of New York, best known for distributing Weissenborn Hawaiian guitars on the East Coast in the 1920's. Stadlmair also offered an extensive line of "Miami" ukuleles, taropatches, and tiples "Used and Endorsed by UKE Hughes!". The Avalon name seems to have been reserved for banjo-family instruments, and is probably traceable to the huge contemporary hit song "Avalon", mostly remembered now for Al Jolson's heartfelt rendition. All the Avalon instruments we have seen appear to be the work of New York's William Lange operation, famous for the Paramount and Orpheum banjo lines.
This is a fairly unassuming banjo-uke, well made if certainly made to a price! The neck is slim and banjo-like, with no fret markers and plain black composite-button friction tuners. The Avalon name is inlaid in the headstock in individual plastic letters. The tailpiece is a plain stamped "Bell Brand" made by N.M.S.Co, makers of Black Diamond Strings.
The banjo likely spent some happy times in a girl's school or camp, as the original head is marked with numerous flapper-style young ladies' names in pen, including Thelma McConnel, Gertrude Kalkins, and Velma Fink. A neat 1920's artifact and a very playable banjo-uke.
Overall length is 21 1/4 in. (54 cm.), 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
All original except one tension nut. Light play wear, but no damage or repairs. Nice-playing and good-sounding. Excellent Condition.
An interesting if simple mid-20's openback banjo ukulele. "Avalon" was a brand name of Henry Stadlmair of New York, best known for distributing Weissenborn Hawaiian guitars on the East Coast in the 1920's. Stadlmair also offered an extensive line of "Miami" ukuleles, taropatches, and tiples "Used and Endorsed by UKE Hughes!". The Avalon name seems to have been reserved for banjo-family instruments, and is probably traceable to the huge contemporary hit song "Avalon", mostly remembered now for Al Jolson's heartfelt rendition. All the Avalon instruments we have seen appear to be the work of New York's William Lange operation, famous for the Paramount and Orpheum banjo lines.
This is a fairly unassuming banjo-uke, well made if certainly made to a price! The neck is slim and banjo-like, with no fret markers and plain black composite-button friction tuners. The Avalon name is inlaid in the headstock in individual plastic letters. The tailpiece is a plain stamped "Bell Brand" made by N.M.S.Co, makers of Black Diamond Strings.
The banjo likely spent some happy times in a girl's school or camp, as the original head is marked with numerous flapper-style young ladies' names in pen, including Thelma McConnel, Gertrude Kalkins, and Velma Fink. A neat 1920's artifact and a very playable banjo-uke.
Overall length is 21 1/4 in. (54 cm.), 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
All original except one tension nut. Light play wear, but no damage or repairs. Nice-playing and good-sounding. Excellent Condition.