1950s Favilla Baritone Ukulele

Update 2022: the owner of this has moved-on to tenor-guitar-style instruments, so this Favilla bari is "back in the shack." I've thus updated all the photos, done a little extra work to it, updated the description, and taken a video. Now back to the post...

Back in 2018 this was brought in by the owner for some mild work and we got it playing decently for him -- but not perfectly. Since it's returned to the shop this year -- 2022 -- I've also given it a neck reset and swapped the bone saddle (located improperly) out for a jumbo fret-style saddle. That's got the intonation dialed-in better and the action spot-on and fast.

As for the uke itself, it's a gorgeous old solid mahogany Favilla with a ton of character and playwear from decades of good service. It probably dates to the very late '40s when the instrument was introduced to the Favilla line as it has the cut and style of one and the light, "giant soprano uke" ladder bracing characteristic of the earliest Favillas. It gives them a more "big uke" sound than the flamenco-like, fan-braced, later Favilla builds. Both are good sounds but I prefer this sound if I have the choice.

Still, I'm listing it as "1950s" because I can't 100% guarantee it's a late-'40s instrument.

The work is all done and it's ready to go and playing easy.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, side dots install, new saddle, cleaning, setup.

Top wood: solid mahogany

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: fluorocarbon trebles, nylon bass

Neck shape: medium C/soft V

Board radius: flat

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: smaller

Scale length: 19"

Nut width: 1 3/8"

Body width: 10"

Body depth: 3 3/8"

Weight: 1 lb 6 oz

Condition notes: it has a ton of wear and tear by way of pickwear, handling wear, and scratches throughout. It looks glorious, to be honest! There's one hairline crack (tiny) on the back lower-bout that's been drop-filled and is stable and good to go. The fret saddle is not original as the original saddle was mislocated at the factory and so I had to move the saddle forward and needed something other than bone that would sit right at the front of the bridge happily -- it works well and sounds good. The bridge must have been reglued at some point because there's mild glue residue at its back edge on the top. My only suggestion on this instrument would be to swap-out to fancier, geared tuners of some sort. Gotoh UPTs would look and function beautifully on it but they are pricey. The old friction pegs are fine, though, if you like the vintage look and feel.