c.1920 Slingerland MayBell Banjo Ukulele

Here's a cool c.1925-1930 Slingerland-made "May-Bell" banjo uke. This fits the bill for a typical Slingerland style banjolele, except that the scale length is extra long (14" like a concert scale instrument) which places the bridge a little lower on the head than usual... and speaking of the head, it's brand spankin' new, as is the bridge, but otherwise this is 100% original. I saved the bulk of the old head to go with it for memory's sake, though, as it was full of signatures from the early and mid 1920s.

"MayBell" is stamped in the headstock.


Polished up frets.


New head.


Rim. Nice thick rim with big old round-bar tonering gives it plenty of pop.


Original pegs.


...

Back with shaped resonator.

Pegs.

Tailpiece. Simple but effective. This would make a nice 4-string banjo mandolin, too, especially with the bluegrassy 14" scale (as opposed to the usual-for-the-period 13 1/8").