Banjo Ukulele Identification

ZJG · Feb 10, 2020

Hey all!

I picked up a banjolele this weekend and am trying to find any info on it. I was told it was probably from the '40s or '50s, though someone also said as early as the '30s. No brand markings on it on the outside aside from "UKULELE-BANJO" on the back. When I opened it up all I found was dust, so no help there either. It's somewhat playable though has some issues with intonation, so just trying to figure out what it is, when it's from, and maybe if it's worth getting professionally setup (or if that's even possible considering it's a little beat up). Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

captain-janeway · Feb 10, 2020

That bridge almost looks hand cut. The tailpiece looks like it's been replaced or screwed on by hand.
Skin top?
For me, it would depend on whether I thought I'd play it as to whether I'd spend any money on it.
I've never seen one like that.

DPO · Feb 10, 2020

It's based on an Alvin Keech banjo uke, quite a few where made roughly copying his design. the bridge is probably a Grover maple bridge, still available today.

ZJG · Feb 10, 2020

Thanks guys, very helpful!

Dennis, quick question:

I looked up a number of the Keech banjo ukes online, and those that look the most similar (including the wooden, not metal, inner ring) seem to be from the mid-1920s (I found a couple in particular that were from 1924). I also read that Keech stopped production in '39.

Since that's the case, do you think I could safely guess that this banjo uke is also from roughly around that time, say mid-'20s to '30s, as compared to '40s to '50s?

Thanks again!

DPO · Feb 10, 2020

ZJG said:
Thanks guys, very helpful!

Dennis, quick question:

I looked up a number of the Keech banjo ukes online, and those that look the most similar (including the wooden, not metal, inner ring) seem to be from the mid-1920s (I found a couple in particular that were from 1924). I also read that Keech stopped production in '39.

Since that's the case, do you think I could safely guess that this banjo uke is also from roughly around that time, say mid-'20s to '30s, as compared to '40s to '50s?

Thanks again!

Yes, I would say almost certainly circa 20s-30s. Keech was an innovator early on and his "Banjolele" was widely copied. Worth spending a bit of time and effort to get it up to scratch. Should play pretty well.

Banjo Ukulele Identification

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