c.1930 U-King Copper Banjo Ukulele

I'd like to call this one Pumpkin... or C-3PO... I just don't know. The pot is incredibly awesome, and if it lacked F-holes on the resonator-style back, I'd be able to cook out of it... just use the neck as a handle and take off the head. Who'd'a thought of a copper banjo rim? Lovely!

It is, of course, like most of its type, a little worn around the edges, but polish, cleaning, and a good setup has made this little copper kettle... pot... a fantastic player, with a nice plunky, mellow old-time sound.

How do you like that metallic orange paint? I suppose it's "copper" but it's more like "wonder jack-o-lantern" to me. New nut, cut from some birch scraps. Fittingly simple for this uke.

Period maple replacement bridge with plastic saddle.

Fret dots are silver paint. Frets are nickel-silver and in just-fine condition. Someone used steel on this fellow at some point.

Here you get a view of the funky F-holes.

...and the newly-gleaming pot. The other hardware is quite dull, having been corroded or rusted or both... but I've scrubbed them clean and de-rusted as best as possible.

It's like a lantern!

Side view.

More shine.

Here you can see a little more of the wear and tear. Typical tailpiece.