c.1930 U-King Banjo Ukulele
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU72_NkmnEjYMLvxilMDRNuLMXMoplLd4jN5-ka4c6EHS30LvAyRa_7uxlMtVKbeWuC8VwOXxdWZC85emDWSc_mb7oW5JHghJpzMKj5QcPf9Fo4gKKnvJ-_2yp_e5YA-CImdMvWrh-8DG/s400/uking04.jpg)
Here's a U-King banjo-uke I just finished off. It's fun, with a chromed or nickel-silvered aluminum rim, 14" scale, Gumby headstock, and a bright and loud sound. The head is original as is everything save the bridge, strings, and a replacement (but period) bakelite tuner button. Plays nicely (under 1/8" at 12th) after setup, too!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6m4jkKOo3WXTIcUmJgvxRPx-jHKGeNaLhqxNZOti70X_sGUcyoPKWKlD0lIU37J_Fi_eRcj0zt4gZjFelXPB-l9BZov46N6mqMCBwbAw73ZSQyFnf5R6yL9ubzYtM1ASFn3PyhF2TJNW/s400/uking05.jpg)
Most of the overhaul on this uke was setup and polishing: that rim is blinding now! The hooks have some tarnish but it doesn't reduce the effect of the bright rim.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7sqZzULYgLGFyyfrogdsWzjrDtTIY4OeClCZpPJK8rcA-sawQ9I6z7OcYGwxVixOyvWEWGJlohazwkuVulQ-KZFc6kaO1sV8Haj6ID1nAzULDcQDGq7FWhzEaE9GY3REdbNimBxJTScD/s400/uking06.jpg)
It's too bad the picture is so light: in reality the black paint of the fretboard and headstock really is a nice dark, shiny black, and the neck is a worn but warm deep reddish brown with plenty-shiny finish.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeNe6mDgXZsnalhGx0g5Nd7jVk8nixd4BZBS9ZoyiEY4D2zFWn8pw0vemlRsspJiQdwd8okigSSKi0HekrqcUh2ruBIo2ekvClL1v5U1e-vlDUHuGMn79kAr6kzrbUaAgJwZOi2MJVLqG/s400/uking07.jpg)
Frets have been polished and are just fine.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgci4SCRouyrQW_CIkUsBwfdNiJiMPWlLS8A60EtVOx5j6OGFybhgZMsu7WbIiIbYOJgO0j6CDtIcLWRTvHg8exPY3LdvqYw86PvZAo4jcjbdFlqNW2Ac_92onwoSD098R_LiYcJD70qxvI/s400/uking08.jpg)
Interesting tailpiece and it works quite nicely, unlike a lot of "standard issue" banjo-uke tailpieces which are ill-fitting for gut or nylon strings. These strings happen to be brand-new Martin fluorocarbons.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQQjlReXAle5noyuq3wPIh1uhBgLprE9cAk6F2laH4zo-BWiXdKQ-HAyue1wy4TDHA2AzhAu1os-6TMrwSf5Op4kk8G3Xme9FyTUAlcByEntp2iyn40yHWn75w8A1A7edoo6txrLXfxNH/s400/uking10.jpg)
Back. Colors are a little more true in this pic.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsn4Y3M419xX_ZW9xYdHuPLT73gsgLBoroZoleYncED5r7tuN3VY_mZWJ6yKBTnUEUOZcafFyl9Di4LLVpcmd4PZpr3niiwrdxYbhFOGrYAxKLLnxn5sHFDPdewN7zddiQVaJmgODxIVb/s400/uking11.jpg)
The "tonering" part of this is a lot like an old 1880s-style Dobson banjo, a "donut" ring... raised and curved. Also, the designers fortunately decided to curl the bottom of the rim too and include an integral bracket band -- all making this a cozy, light uke.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u777ybbCiD2P6f2Ini0l1mZ7yeW_X7HgNAjNPPxV4_hC1ckgrNfN6lHYR7SmJFFyuYOaSoiIcvgaleoazaPM0UKzPh6ATCE9lvYPK3I9XVgblApP-ca8i90cq8YBmJsNA4hzkmYaMpVL/s400/uking12.jpg)
Tuners.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPGj6_rbf7lPjXy7xn-RFRoyKT8Z5OBjFFH9fde9gR6g6-CS1UDC3hYKmkzqyQEp0GRSMwT_9FLi2X9ySxxraQgmwDxL2yI-ICAOWZbcXqvjmQ51OxtR_o7Wu2oMFLNyqzuFX_gyfBRdb/s400/uking13.jpg)
Neck join -- can't quite tell the wood type.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkOzxKASs02w2jmQiV4_r2zotfjQCXKv8PJPZZvt64X6USmSJqM39nBoF9aX_o0X_S3UpHEAT3yOoMxnDQt6l2xuZhj2Wzu99xIRyaIknMVhUe0mF2X72aFOv81_RP5jXf_SFOSmzHnls/s400/uking14.jpg)
Back 3/4 -- a nice proportion to this uke.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWREw2O77gmbqLi_-P-flcwszu9rAriKcwVyCmR7v0c6ZvL-SjxlXir3ykl0FdPC_5mQM_snVl0IriCe3eEMviEk52f7ytiUwXsApKdxPFlM9Q-v5DXO2ozRXqQEbnxMb-HJPl1ZPuZ_Qj/s400/uking15.jpg)
Front 3/4.
Some of that kitchen-pot sheen!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzv3pWgWe-O2ZUssTdLNFvr3EcCmpcQiG3_nEuISrQWaHMe4kXw_br-FuQkqSfypKN7rmbpfFiQKvQ3zxHgjdmZaClNsH689p1tjvCNfk-P9MrD8xwN2UUg6cCEbx0201Pp3f4CtNJU5o/s400/uking17.jpg)
And here's the tailpiece again. Like I said -- a well thought-out banjo-uke with a simple and comfortable design. Not super-fancy, but it definitely gets the job done and feels quite solid in the hands.
Comments
I didn't realize that -- never did the research I should say -- because friends of mine have always just called them U-Kings.
Great info!
Jake
Mine was so dirty and rusty, I had to totally disassemble it to clean it, so I had to remove the skin. I've read in one place they can't be used again, which is a concern because it doesn't have the tone ring I see other, loose skin rims being placed on and folded. Just curious as to your experience. I'm really enjoying your site. You can check out my restore here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaztoo/sets/72157623071668699/