Avalon Model Banjo Ukulele, made by Wm. Lange, c. 1927, made in New York City, green pearloid, green and grey paint finish, maple neck, rim and resonator.
A particularly flashy banjo-uke, with vibrantly colored pearloid on the rim, headstock and fingerboard, and a two-tone paint finish on the remainder. "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, and this one certainly has many Lange-style features.
Overall length is 22 in. (55.9 cm.), 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) deep. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/8 in. (35 mm.).
Well-preserved except for the paint finish on the resonator, which is somewhat scuffed and appears to have had a varnish overcoat that has crystallized and flaked away. There is also a repair to the resonator side/back joint that is less neatly executed than we would like, but solid. A neat playing and sounding banjo uke with a great look nonetheless! Very Good + Condition.
