{"product_id":"gibson-ub-4-banjo-ukulele-1927-7492","title":"Gibson UB-4 Banjo Ukulele (1927)","description":"Gibson UB-4 Model Banjo Ukulele (1927), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 8818-15, brown lacquer finish, maple resonator, neck and rim, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis model UB-4 is a full flange and resonator Gibson banjo-uke from the 1920's-basically a miniature tenor banjo-which is quite a rare find. Banjo ukuleles were quite popular in this era, but most were amateur grade-a full professional models like this was far from common. The UB-4 was introduced in 1926 and features fancy shaped pearl inlay in the bound rosewood fingerboard while the headstock has a pearl inlaid \"The Gibson\" logo. The bound-back resonator is fitted to a diamond pattern flange; all hardware is nickel plated. The Grover friction tuners are fitted with ivoroid buttons. Most Gibson banjo-ukes have no serial number-this actually has a standard Gibson FON stamped into the rim and chalked in the resonator, as was the practice at the time. In 1927 the model UB-5 was identical to this style 4 except for gold-plated hardware, and examples of both models were built in this batch. This is a great \"professional grade\" Gibson banjo-uke from the '20's-perfect for the George Formby sound and an excellent piece for any application requiring the best of banjo-ukes!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 22 1\/2 in. (57.2 cm.), 8 in. (20.3 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1\/4 in. (8.2 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 13 1\/2 in. (343 mm.). Very nice original condition; all original finish and hardware except an old but not period head and bridge. Relatively clean overall-there is some play wear; there is some scuffing and dings to the resonator back, a spot of wear on the top side of the heel and the plating to the hoop and hooks shows some noticeable loss due to corrosion. A fabulous playing and sounding instrument, as loud a banjo-uke as we have ever heard! Included a modern mandolin HSC that is a functional but inexact fit. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853026676876,"sku":"7492","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_be6c94f1-c315-4665-ba6e-2d226c1eb340.jpg?v=1774331066","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/gibson-ub-4-banjo-ukulele-1927-7492","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}