1930s Maxitone/U-King-Style Banjo Ukulele

I've worked on scores of this same-model banjo uke in various colors, finishes, and schemes. This one is a customer's and work was minimal. The end result is a jangly, reverb-laden, plunky little thing -- just like all of them.

The rims on these are all-metal and the neck attachment reinforcement is always only so-so and needs a little modification to stay snug and secure. Some have the longer 14" scale length and some have the shorter 13" scale. Usually the 14" ones push the bridge too close to the rim and thus they sound a bit shrill and tin-can-ish. This one has the 13" scale so it's more plunky and full.

Work included: a fret level/dress, new bridge, extra washers and replacement bits for the pegs, some fudging of the neck/dowel joint, cleaning, and a setup.

Setup notes: action is bang-on at 1/16" at the 12th fret, it has a straight neck, and the strings are D'Addario fluorocarbon.

Scale length: 13"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

String spacing at nut: 1"

String spacing at bridge: 1 5/16"

Head diameter: 7 1/8"

Rim depth: 2 1/2"

Rim material: metal

Neck wood: poplar

Fretboard: poplar/cut into neck slots

Bridge: maple/ebony/plastic

Neck feel: medium v-shape, flat board

Condition notes: replacement bridge and some replacement (same-type) tuner parts, otherwise all-original and in good shape. There's an old repaired crack to the bottom of the heel and the neck and fretboard shows some finish wear. The head is the original '20s Jos. Rogers skin.

Most versions have an open back, but this guy has a resonator-style closed-back with f-holes. It's pretty slick.