Sunday 14 October 2012

Gretsch Claraphone i Believe!

Looking at the style of headstock, and unusual design of adding soundholes around the pot leads me to believe that this is a Gretsch made BU. It may well not be, so if you know different please let me know. Either way, its a cracking uke. Well balanced with a rich tone. its 16 tension hooks, and 8 inch pot give great volume and tone. The soundholes around the pot give it a mellow sound too. quite unusual these are! The headstock has a decal that says " Illinois Guaranteed" Who knows what that means? Have a look at the pics and decide for yourself. Its had a new vellum fitted, along with new tuners. as well as Aquila strings and new bridge. It has a really nice flat plate resonator which makes it very easy to hold. It has a few dings and dents here and there, a bit of repair at the 14th fret. Currently for sale

Concertone Banjo uke (made by Slingerland)

Here is a branded uke, made by Slingerland. it is basically a Maybell model 20. but branded on the perch pole with the Concertone stamp. A very nice sounding uke, lightweight, but very well made. it has a great volume, and that "old time radio" sound coming through the calf skin vellum. On the restoration job, i stripped off the dirt and tarnish off the hooks, fitted new tuning pegs. the original ones were no good. added a good quality calf-skin and a set of Aquilas.