Gibson UB-3
A very popular banjo uke not only for it's wonderful sound but it's beautiful design. The first of the Gibson banjo ukes to be ornamented with fancy mother of pearl inlays. The inlays are elongated diamond in shape and have rosettes at the 5th and 10th fretsand the head stock has two diamonds and two rosettes. The back of the resonator has purfling 3/4" from the outer edge. The resonator on the UB-2 doesn't have this purfling but both models had binding in ivory colored plastic on the outer edge of the resonator. The fret board is thick pear wood. The UB-3 were one of George Formby's favorite ukes and he can be seen in numerous movies playing one. One of my favorite spots is his song "Fanlight Fanny" where he sings the song in a kitchen and takes one of his more complicated and exciting solo breaks on a UB-3. These are fairly rare (by no means common) instruments and I think I have seen about 5 for sale over the course of one year in auctions. In auction they have fetched anywhere from $750-$1300 here in the U.S. . They are often found with a lovely black to amber sunburst on the neck,rim and flat resonator. The model I own is a deep coffee color with no sunburst. Again, they might be either a block laminated rim or horizontal strip laminated. I haven't seen one without the interior veneer but I'm sure it's possible they might exist. It would seem to me that Gibson used very effective glue on the m.o.p. inlays because I rarely see them with any pieces missing. As I mentioned in the main post about Gibson banjo ukes, the rim on these and all Gibsons is likely to have seperated. They are found with loose veneer or split laminations. It can be repaired but can be costly when it involves refinishing. The scale is longer than a soprano ukulele and quite comfortable for most sized hands. In the addition to the inlays, the ub-3 has binding along the fret board which sets the frets in a bit from the edge and makes for very smooth chording and shifts. This binding is plastic and if missing has to be shaped and sculpted out of larger stock material because it is not available in a small 1/4 round size. The
pictures are of my own UB-3 that remains to have some restoration. It is in great playing condition and is currently set up with Fremont Medium Ukulele strings, a Jeff Menzies calf skin head and a bridge of my own design and construction of Bloodwood with a Grenadilla saddle.
UB3 Deluxe
Gibson probably made this model before actually designing the UB-4 and the biggest difference would be that the UB-4 had a longer scale. The ub3 deluxe has the exact same inlays as the ub3 but has the added diamond cut out flanged resonator. I haven't heard one played, or played one but it seems with my knowledge that it would sound identical to a ub2 deluxe,ub4 and ub5 if set up exactly the same way. As far as I know, different inlays would not effect the sound, and neither would a shorter neck.
I would have to say, these are probably very rare instruments. I have not seen one for sale in a calender year and would guess that there were very few made. As far as playing value goes, they are probably on par with the ub-4 in terms of sound and character. If sold at a premium, this model would probably bring out the collectors when in excellent "collectible" condition. When I use that term it's an indication, that collectors expect several aspects when buying. All original condition, no current replacement parts etc, original finish, or if not original, original with repairs to dings and scratches that are done in a historically correct manner. They expect or hope for excellent plus condition, and if not in that condition, they ask for discounts for anything less than that condition.
A very popular banjo uke not only for it's wonderful sound but it's beautiful design. The first of the Gibson banjo ukes to be ornamented with fancy mother of pearl inlays. The inlays are elongated diamond in shape and have rosettes at the 5th and 10th fretsand the head stock has two diamonds and two rosettes. The back of the resonator has purfling 3/4" from the outer edge. The resonator on the UB-2 doesn't have this purfling but both models had binding in ivory colored plastic on the outer edge of the resonator. The fret board is thick pear wood. The UB-3 were one of George Formby's favorite ukes and he can be seen in numerous movies playing one. One of my favorite spots is his song "Fanlight Fanny" where he sings the song in a kitchen and takes one of his more complicated and exciting solo breaks on a UB-3. These are fairly rare (by no means common) instruments and I think I have seen about 5 for sale over the course of one year in auctions. In auction they have fetched anywhere from $750-$1300 here in the U.S. . They are often found with a lovely black to amber sunburst on the neck,rim and flat resonator. The model I own is a deep coffee color with no sunburst. Again, they might be either a block laminated rim or horizontal strip laminated. I haven't seen one without the interior veneer but I'm sure it's possible they might exist. It would seem to me that Gibson used very effective glue on the m.o.p. inlays because I rarely see them with any pieces missing. As I mentioned in the main post about Gibson banjo ukes, the rim on these and all Gibsons is likely to have seperated. They are found with loose veneer or split laminations. It can be repaired but can be costly when it involves refinishing. The scale is longer than a soprano ukulele and quite comfortable for most sized hands. In the addition to the inlays, the ub-3 has binding along the fret board which sets the frets in a bit from the edge and makes for very smooth chording and shifts. This binding is plastic and if missing has to be shaped and sculpted out of larger stock material because it is not available in a small 1/4 round size. The
UB3 Deluxe
Gibson probably made this model before actually designing the UB-4 and the biggest difference would be that the UB-4 had a longer scale. The ub3 deluxe has the exact same inlays as the ub3 but has the added diamond cut out flanged resonator. I haven't heard one played, or played one but it seems with my knowledge that it would sound identical to a ub2 deluxe,ub4 and ub5 if set up exactly the same way. As far as I know, different inlays would not effect the sound, and neither would a shorter neck.
I would have to say, these are probably very rare instruments. I have not seen one for sale in a calender year and would guess that there were very few made. As far as playing value goes, they are probably on par with the ub-4 in terms of sound and character. If sold at a premium, this model would probably bring out the collectors when in excellent "collectible" condition. When I use that term it's an indication, that collectors expect several aspects when buying. All original condition, no current replacement parts etc, original finish, or if not original, original with repairs to dings and scratches that are done in a historically correct manner. They expect or hope for excellent plus condition, and if not in that condition, they ask for discounts for anything less than that condition.
2 comments:
How much would a Ub3 deluxe be worth? I have my grand fathers Gibson and it all looks original except the artwork from that era on the hide. I have the case extra Gibson strings capo and a small what looks like a mini pick. Thanks Dan
Hi Dan, very sorry I missed this question last October. A lot depends on the condition of the Gibson. The finish, the rim/pot and whether it's delaminating, the amount of rust etc. The Ub-3 can go for well over $1500 u.s., and I've bought one for as little as $350, but that one needed two weeks of restoration work. The UB-3 is one of the very favorite banjo ukes ever made and will always appreciate in value over the years.
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