c.1920 (Gretsch?) "Cowboy" Banjo Ukulele

Here's a sweet little banjo uke, c.1920, probably made by Gretsch (it's their rim style) though who really knows? It's got a good feel and has obviously been played. Everything's stock save bridge, new tuners, a replacement dot (at some point), and one hook & nut & shoe set (period parts, though).

Pot and neck look like dark-stained maple and the headstock veneer and board are ebony, which adds a touch of class. Check out the really cool cowboy-playing-banjolele illustration the previous owner had on the head!

This instrument had sort of been half-stripped of its finish. I cleaned it up, touched it up (RE the stain), and then sprayed a couple coats to seal it and bring it back up to snuff. Looks just like the vintage finish would have.

Awesome pen cowboy illustration.

It's fun! And has that poppy, old-timey tone... and plenty loud, too! I like these guys with a cork or fabric mute on the back to cut down overtones, but that's just my preference.

Nice, simple, Waverly tailpiece allows knotted, loop, or ball-end strings.