1920s Stromberg-Voisinet (Kay) 8" Resonator Banjo Ukulele

Overview: This guy was made by Stromberg-Voisinet (later, the Kay company) in the '20s and I've worked on at least a dozen or so of this same model over the years. They're popular with folks looking for the classic, punchy, banjo-uke sound you hear on Vaudeville recordings from the time. It's snappy and dry!

Tone: It's got a good, woody, punchy, pop to its sound. With a synthetic head and fluorocarbon strings it would be a lot more bright/chipper in tone but the current skin head gives it a bit more of a mellow soulfulness.

Feel: The neck is a medium V-shape and almost mandolin-like in heft. It plays quick and easy, though, and banjo pickers will feel right at home with this shape.

Interesting features: It's rare to get one of these with the full, thin-depth resonator like this one has. It's a nice bit of kit to have with it, too, as it really does give the instrument a lot more "forward kick" for jamming with others or band use. It also has a larger head (for the time) which gives it more warmth than your usual banjo uke.

Repairs included: I gave it a fret level/dress, added neck attachment bolts on the inside of the rim, and set it all up.

• Weight: 3 lbs 7 oz
• Scale length: 13 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 1/4"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Head diameter: 7 7/8"
• Resonator diameter: 10 1/2”
• Depth overall at rim: 3"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: hoop
• Bridge: maple Non-Tip
• Fretboard: ebonized maple
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: Aquila Nylgut
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: smaller/narrow

Condition notes: There are small nicks, dings, and scratches throughout the finish but it's in good order overall. The hardware all appears original save perhaps the Grover Non-Tip bridge and the nut. The fretboard shows some "greying" of its top stain from drying-out. The friction pegs at the headstock work just fine but are not the smoothest to turn.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: SK