J. R. Stewart Company Le Domino Model Soprano Ukulele, c. 1928, made in Chicago, black lacquer with decals finish, birch body, poplar neck.
The Le Domino Ukulele is a 1920's classic, one of the more distinctive ukes from the instrument's original heyday. The J.R. Stewart company of Chicago built Le Domino branded guitars, mandolins, soprano and tenor ukes and banjo-ukes in the 1920's, and the very successful brand passed to Regal in the early '30's after Stewart was forced out of business following a disastrous deal with Lyon & Healy. The standard Le Domino ukulele was the best seller, and it's easy to see why. Sold at a moderate price, the uke is well made (though not to the level of quality of a Martin) and very flashy looking. The sleek black finish is highlighted by white binding on the body.
Decal dominoes decorate the top below the bridge, and a gold soundhole ring festooned with small dominoes completes the top ornamentation. The headstock carries a J.R.S. & Co. diamond logo and a gold script "Le Domino", and has a distinctive carved ledge that was carried on as a feature of many later Regal Uke family instruments. The uke is lightly braced in an unusual pattern and sounds very good.
Overall length is 21 3/4 in. (55.2 cm.), 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.). Clean and all original with just some small dings and scrapes, one repaired top crack and a small chip off the base of the heel. The last fret is missing, as is common with these Chicago ukes but does not affect play. A very good playing and sounding uke, and a really snazzy one to boot! Overall Excellent - Condition.
