Slingerland Maybell Model Banjo Ukulele, c. 1928, made in Chicago, natural lacquer finish, mahogany rim and neck, rosewood fingerboard.
This is one of the higher grade Slingerland/MayBell banjo ukes, with relatively deluxe fittings and nice mahogany on the rim and neck. These instruments were very popular in the mid-late 1920s and came in a variety of styles and price levels. This one has a thick 8" rim with a laminated curved-plate resonator, heavy hoop, hooks and nuts, rosewood fingerboard, metal short-shaft friction pegs with composition buttons, and the ever-popular Grover single-unit tailpiece. This is a fairly simple but classy and great-sounding banjo-uke; professional caliber and a very fine example of the better 1920s "Banjoleles".
Overall length is 21 3/4 in. (55.2 cm.), 8 in. (20.3 cm.) diameter head, and 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) deep. Scale length is 13 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
All original with some minor wear and an excellent player. There is a spot of plating off the hoop just below the neck joint and some scratching to the back of the resonator, but overall this is a very clean little banjo. And LOUD -- did we mention loud? A super nice example, just set up with a new 1920s skin head (go on, ask how we manage that trick!) and ready to go. Excellent - Condition.
