The second also cost $350 and is a model I haven't seen before either, also made from Mahogany. It was shipped with it's original green bakelite tuners - this feature was the sucker blow for me. Sadly, when I tried to string it up, the tuners simply dropped out of their slots as they were so worn. Seller didn't tell me but I was very disappointed. I did have a spare set of tuners so replaced them and then tried to string it up, but found the strings kept popping through the bridge slots, as they wouldn't take the tension; this also caused some flaking off of the wood at the G and A slots...aaarrggh...more anger.
By this time I was swearing and cursing so that the next door neighbour could hear me. Feeling as if I'd blown my dough, I went down to the craft shop and bought some beads as a last resort to make it playable...well, they worked a treat!
The uke is all solid mahogany, frets in great shape. The body and soundhole are bound with a pretty green/red/yellow and black arrow design, which also runs up the middle of the fretboard and head. Again, action very low and plays beautifully. I strung it up with a set of worth clears and , while it lacks the volume and punch of it's sister, the intonation is spot on and it has that 'vintage' woody, plinky tone, full of warmth and stories told.
Though I complained bitterly all day yesterday to Stan (sorry mate
) I really like this one and will probably use it as my 'beater' uke...given that I'd sold all my others to fund my mya moe obsession. Worth $350...probably not but it'll get lots of love...
the final shot here is of the bottom of the bridge, where I used some small black beads to secure the strings in place. A small and simple task to most perhaps, but, for a tech dinosaur I was very proud of myself.
thanks for watching and reading gang!!!
