New sales this week. Also, over on ebay, a different UB-1, all original finish : SOLD http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220960377189#ht_500wt_954
THE BANJO UKULELE FORUM A blog about the Banjo Uke. Information, questions and photos are welcome. Please email me: stevebobs@hotmail.com
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Gibson UB-4 Sold
The Gibson Ub-4 which is the last design in the Gibson line of banjo ukueles. This is the nickel plated version and several years after Gibson produced this model they began to refer to the gold plated version as the UB-5. These are a bit longer scale than the ub-3 and were equipped with a Walnut burl diamond flanged resonator. Other differences from the other Gibsons are the fancier fret marker inlays (mother of pearl), fret board side binding (white black white) and matching binding on the edge of the resonator. Headstock has inlayed "The Gibson" and a floral inlay below it. (also mother of pearl). Tuners are the Ivoroid version of the Grover Spring loaded style. Original hardware throughout and includes the rare "Presto Ideal" that flips open for changing the strings. The reso has the original chalk serial number which is also stamped into the rim 8818-2.
Finish is excellent inside and out, there are no splits or deep scratches. Shows very very minor wear in terms of slightly dull finish here and there, and very minor surface scratches.
I am the second owner of this UB-4 and bought it from an elderly gentleman that said he recieved it as a gift in 1930. He was 5! at the time. His son told me that it was kept in a closet all these years in a very large house and when I purchased it the original gut strings were in place. I replaced them with Aquila Gut strings and it sounds great. Gut breaks on it's own and is more susceptible to fraying but it has a unique sound that is apparent in the strumming because the strings are nowhere nearly as smooth as nylon. There are more pictures on this blog of this exact Gibson under: http://banjoukuleleforum.blogspot.com/2011_01_23_archive.html
I have seen no more than 3 for sale in the U.S. and a few in the U.K. over a 3 year period. They are rare and excellent by any standard with a deep banjoey tone that works melodically or as a strummer. To give a comparison the F model Gibson mandolins which are for sale constantly on Ebay for $4000-12,000 were also made in Kalamazoo with the same woods, finish and care.
I'm not the least bit embarrassed to ask $5000 for this one. It is completely original and has suffered no abuse by the original and current owner. My conservative guess is that these will command as much as the Gibson mandolins within 5 years.
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Please write me if you are interested in this one.
The Gibson Ub-4 which is the last design in the Gibson line of banjo ukueles. This is the nickel plated version and several years after Gibson produced this model they began to refer to the gold plated version as the UB-5. These are a bit longer scale than the ub-3 and were equipped with a Walnut burl diamond flanged resonator. Other differences from the other Gibsons are the fancier fret marker inlays (mother of pearl), fret board side binding (white black white) and matching binding on the edge of the resonator. Headstock has inlayed "The Gibson" and a floral inlay below it. (also mother of pearl). Tuners are the Ivoroid version of the Grover Spring loaded style. Original hardware throughout and includes the rare "Presto Ideal" that flips open for changing the strings. The reso has the original chalk serial number which is also stamped into the rim 8818-2.
Finish is excellent inside and out, there are no splits or deep scratches. Shows very very minor wear in terms of slightly dull finish here and there, and very minor surface scratches.
I am the second owner of this UB-4 and bought it from an elderly gentleman that said he recieved it as a gift in 1930. He was 5! at the time. His son told me that it was kept in a closet all these years in a very large house and when I purchased it the original gut strings were in place. I replaced them with Aquila Gut strings and it sounds great. Gut breaks on it's own and is more susceptible to fraying but it has a unique sound that is apparent in the strumming because the strings are nowhere nearly as smooth as nylon. There are more pictures on this blog of this exact Gibson under: http://banjoukuleleforum.blogspot.com/2011_01_23_archive.html
I have seen no more than 3 for sale in the U.S. and a few in the U.K. over a 3 year period. They are rare and excellent by any standard with a deep banjoey tone that works melodically or as a strummer. To give a comparison the F model Gibson mandolins which are for sale constantly on Ebay for $4000-12,000 were also made in Kalamazoo with the same woods, finish and care.
I'm not the least bit embarrassed to ask $5000 for this one. It is completely original and has suffered no abuse by the original and current owner. My conservative guess is that these will command as much as the Gibson mandolins within 5 years.
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Monday, February 20, 2012
Gibson UB-2 SOLD
This is the UB-2 that is featured in this blog on Jan 28th 2011. It is an excellent banjo ukulele and has been my regular player for 2 years. It has a lovely robust sound and excellent scale. It has a curious finish, being a sort of two tone that is very deep walnut everywhere but the face of the peghead and resonator. What really matters is that it sounds so good and is in excellent condition. There is minor wear on the fret board on the first fret, but it has no buzzes all the way up the fret board. Enough talk though, take a look at this!
This is the UB-2 that is featured in this blog on Jan 28th 2011. It is an excellent banjo ukulele and has been my regular player for 2 years. It has a lovely robust sound and excellent scale. It has a curious finish, being a sort of two tone that is very deep walnut everywhere but the face of the peghead and resonator. What really matters is that it sounds so good and is in excellent condition. There is minor wear on the fret board on the first fret, but it has no buzzes all the way up the fret board. Enough talk though, take a look at this!
I have both the Ub-3 and Ub-2 and there is no difference in tone or quality between the two. The UB-3 is simply more ornate and often has a sunburst finish. Both models are powerhouse banjo ukes with great projection and color. It has the original Gibson skin, and all of the hardware is original except the hooks which were mismatched when I bought it. I reglued the veneer on the inside of the rim 2 years ago and it is holding up perfectly. The bridge is one of mine and designed just for this banjo uke. It has a set of John Alvie
Turner strings on it that are about a year old and I would leave them on because they sound rich and full to this day.
I take PayPal as payment and ship anywhere that the USPS will deliver. Tracking and insurance included.
Price: $950 including padded nylon carrying bag.
Baby Gibson UB-1 for Sold. Immaculate restoration in terms of finish, color and playability. This, as you can see by the photos, is a gorgeous example of a fine banjo ukulele. It has the sound that I mentioned on the very first UB-1 blog and this one is truly something to look at and hear. I will put on a new set of Aquilla Nylgut strings before the instrument is shipped also.
This is probably a bit later in terms of production since it has the bone nut. The dots are real mother of pearl and these happen to be very nicely colored. I put a lower action bridge on this one and played it without changing anything else. It could use some polishing on the hooks to brighten them up and that is just about it. Shipping anywhere in the world but please realize that the import duty for many countries is as much as 20%. Also please note that international shipping can take several weeks for delivery. Instrument will be bubble wrapped and surrounded by styrofoam peanuts inside a sturdy box. I insure to anywhere in the U.S. and to any foreign country that the u.s.p.s. offers.
Tracking number and delivery confirmation will be added on at no extra charge.
I take PayPal only and there is no charge for local pick up.
Price $645.00
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