Tonk American Model Soprano Ukulele, made by Regal, c. 1932, made in Chicago, natural top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top.
This ukulele was built for the large Chicago jobber Tonk Brothers by Regal in the early 1930's. Tonk and Regal were also the team behind the Washburn instruments at that time, and "Tonk American" was the line just under the high-grade Washburns in price and quality. Regal had recently taken over the J.R. Stewart company, and this uke is similar in many ways to the well-known "Le Domino" line that Regal continued to manufacture. The headstock shape with a long 'throat' and rounded edge is typically Stewart/Regal, and the uke in general has the same lines as the typical "Le Domino".
The top is spruce, fairly unusual for an ukulele, and the back and sides are dark stained birch. There is black and white celluloid binding on the top and side edges, and around the soundhole. The extended fingerboard is ebonized maple. This is a nice, somewhat unusual Depression-era uke with a good sound.
Overall length is 21 in. (53.3 cm.), 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/8 in. (35 mm.).
All original except recent tuners. A few repaired back cracks and some sloppy fitting of the fingerboard (factory, under the original finish!) that does not affect playability. Overall an interesting and good quality uke. Very Good + Condition.
