1930s Favilla Teardrop Ukulele



Update 2021: this uke is here for consignment and so I've updated the photos, description. etc...

I may be wrong, but I think the finish style and headstock logo place this teardrop uke in the early '30s. Please correct me on that, however, if I'm confused. Anyhow -- it's the nicest teardrop Favilla I've had in the shop so far. It's clean, only has one (repaired) crack on the back, and is all-original. 

Work included cleats for that back crack, a minor shave to the saddle, and a fresh setup. It plays like a breeze and has that fuller, rounder, "pineapple" vibe coming from the body -- though not quite as much "sonic girth" as a modern pineapple-shaped uke. It's funny how just changing the way sound bounces around inside the body will change the tone of an instrument so much.

While the birch, poplar, and painted versions of these ukes seem to be easier to find, this solid mahogany model is not an easy instrument to snag. Extra details include a rosewood fretboard, celluloid-bound soundhole, and inlaid rosette. The bridge is mahogany and both the nut and saddle are ebony.

Repairs included: crack repairs, fret level/dress, cleaning, setup.


Made by: Favilla

Made in: New York, NY, USA


Top wood: solid mahogany

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: mahogany

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Tone: full, warm, woody, sweet, similar to Martin Style 0 but with more snap


Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: Martin fluorocarbon

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: flat

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: small


Scale length: 13 3/8"

Nut width: 1 3/8"

Body length: 9 1/2"

Body width: 6 1/2"

Body depth: 2 1/8"

Weight: 0 lb 11 oz


Condition notes: it's fairly clean and all-original throughout but does have a repaired back crack. There's average usewear (small scratches) throughout, too, and some wear to the finish of the fretboard. The original bakelite friction pegs work fine, but like all old friction pegs, I suggest replacing them with modern Gotoh UPTs or GraphTech Tune-A-Leles or something geared like that if it's going to be a daily player. They make life eaaaaasy. I'd install them for free but charge for the part if that's something desirable for you.


It comes with: a nice gigbag.













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Comments

Julie said…
Gorgeous! I just found one at a local thrift store-- I paid $2.99....!!!! How much do you think it's worth?
January 29, 2021 at 1:30 PM
Gene Kaplan said…
My reason for being here is I came-across a Uke almost identical to the one shown here, and the remnants of it's maker's mark, which led me to the research I've been doing. Condition is used, strings intact, some show of age-related wear/use, a couple of minor cracks (one on top and one on bottom), and about 20 1/2" long. Has anyone established a VAGUE price for these models? Thanks in advance, G.K.
July 13, 2023 at 7:19 AM
Axelknows said…
Hi, did this ever sell? I inherited one of these from my mom. The story as I recall is that an uncle brought it home after WW2. It had some love back then, but is in remarkable condition considering 3 generations have played it. No cracks, all markings intact. I would love help finding a place to have some safe maintenance done on it.
October 15, 2024 at 10:27 PM
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