Uglybastard239
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- Aug 26, 2015
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Hi, I've been checking out your site and let start by saying that I'm very impressed and this is a great resource.
I recently picked up a B&J Mele Soprano Ukulele and I'd like to see if anybody can give me any more information on it. Let me start with what I think I already know, I'm aware the B&J were an instrument distributor and they handled instruments from several different manufacturers, Harmony and Regal appearing to be the most common. My best guess at the moment is that this uke was made by Harmony in the 20s or 30s, but it seems to be a bit fancier than what I've been able to find on the web. I'm also not sure what kind of wood it's made out of, but I'm leaning towards mahogany.
Also, I had the original brass frets professionally replaced and the wooden nut replaced with the one you see in the pictures (assuming they open). The original frets and nut were very low and made playing the instrument difficult, the new set-up has improved its play-ability dramatically and I thing the silver frets and bone nut improve its looks as well. Hopefully I haven't destroyed any collectors value it may have had...not that I'm inclined to get rid of it any time soon.
Also, out of curiosity, is $100 unreasonable for replacing the frets and nut? I know nothing about this sort of thing and I'm not sure if the guy is ridiculously expensive or I'm unreasonably cheap.
Any information you can give me on this amazing little uke would be greatly appreciated.
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...487_887358904692339_1837482351354353979_o.jpg
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=5e0481076ad91b8fff104902488d2c81&oe=567A14F3
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=9abc1e5137ff7b7f56f7db81a4998120&oe=566482B9
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=0ccb90e29cd0e5042d2b6c5a15d41222&oe=56691E46
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=fcf09ff8e5ef2e8a4eeb0635ef490914&oe=56A8E659
I recently picked up a B&J Mele Soprano Ukulele and I'd like to see if anybody can give me any more information on it. Let me start with what I think I already know, I'm aware the B&J were an instrument distributor and they handled instruments from several different manufacturers, Harmony and Regal appearing to be the most common. My best guess at the moment is that this uke was made by Harmony in the 20s or 30s, but it seems to be a bit fancier than what I've been able to find on the web. I'm also not sure what kind of wood it's made out of, but I'm leaning towards mahogany.
Also, I had the original brass frets professionally replaced and the wooden nut replaced with the one you see in the pictures (assuming they open). The original frets and nut were very low and made playing the instrument difficult, the new set-up has improved its play-ability dramatically and I thing the silver frets and bone nut improve its looks as well. Hopefully I haven't destroyed any collectors value it may have had...not that I'm inclined to get rid of it any time soon.
Also, out of curiosity, is $100 unreasonable for replacing the frets and nut? I know nothing about this sort of thing and I'm not sure if the guy is ridiculously expensive or I'm unreasonably cheap.
Any information you can give me on this amazing little uke would be greatly appreciated.
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...487_887358904692339_1837482351354353979_o.jpg
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=5e0481076ad91b8fff104902488d2c81&oe=567A14F3
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=9abc1e5137ff7b7f56f7db81a4998120&oe=566482B9
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=0ccb90e29cd0e5042d2b6c5a15d41222&oe=56691E46
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=fcf09ff8e5ef2e8a4eeb0635ef490914&oe=56A8E659
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