Need help identifying Clarophone Banjo Ukulele

cowgirl67

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I purchased this Clarophone Banjo Ukulele. No maker mark is on it. The neck/headstock is maple. The pot is birds eye maple. It has an Elton tailpiece with nickle plated rim and brackets. The head is skin. It is 4-string, open back. Measurements: headstock, 5 1/8; neck, 13 1/2; pot, 11 wide and 2 3/4 deep. The position markers are pearl inlay. The star on the headstock is glued on (assuming by previous owner).

Can anyone help me with a decade range and possible maker? The initials W.M. are on the skin but appear to be handwritten.

Thank you!


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I purchased this Clarophone Banjo Ukulele. No maker mark is on it. The neck/headstock is maple. The pot is birds eye maple. It has an Elton tailpiece with nickle plated rim and brackets. The head is skin. It is 4-string, open back. Measurements: headstock, 5 1/8; neck, 13 1/2; pot, 11 wide and 2 3/4 deep. The position markers are pearl inlay. The star on the headstock is glued on (assuming by previous owner).

Can anyone help me with a decade range and possible maker? The initials W.M. are on the skin but appear to be handwritten.

Thank you!


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Firstly I believe it is a tenor banjo and not a banjo uke. My guess would be 1930 to 1940.
 
That's also not a Gretsch. Gretsch typically have a crown headstock. That looks more like an Oscar Schmidt build.
 
Thank you all so much! This gives me enough information to move forward.
 
Yup,17 fret tenor banjo. Nice one. I've seen stars on the headstocks of many vintage instruments, not all by the same maker. Must have been popular.

Possible Slingerland?
 
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