Aloha!
For sale is this Sherman, Clay & Co. Banjo Ukulele, No. 32, from approximately 1922. U.S.-made, it has a 7-inch, three-section shell of polished Hawaiian koa and maple. The rounded top edge of the rim and the resonator are also figured koa. The neck is maple with a koa fingerboard and peghead overlay, and the entire front edge of the instrument — top and neck — is bound with a rope pattern of inlaid wood. There’s a double row of the same inlay through the center of fingerboard; 8 pearl position dots in pairs; and 4 tiny position dots on the side of neck. There are 16 frets, a 2-octave scale, and a new calfskin head. The holes in the head and butt were originally fitted with a silk neck cord, that does not survive. The overall length is 20-5/8”; the scale 13-1/8”; and the width at the nut is 1-1/4”. The action is low — 3/32” at the 12th fret, G string — and it’s strung with Aquila New Nylguts. There’s no case but it will be carefully packed.
The sound is big and bright, surprisingly so for such a small instrument. Similar to a Gibson UB-1, but much lighter and easier to handle. Lots of fun to play.
NOTE ON THE HISTORY: This was Sherman, Clay’s top-end banjo uke of the day. Take a look at the page from their 1922-23 catalogue that describes it (see photo 12). Also see John King’s website for more information, at [link removed by ] .
CONDITION: Excellent. The finish is original and in great shape; a few scrapes on the resonator, and that\'s about it. The calfskin head has been replaced; the tuners are new Grover 2Bs. The nut is also a replacement made of ebony. The bridge is an old Grover “Non-tip” minus the crosspiece. There are a few shrinkage cracks in the laminated wood of the pot, as shown in the photos. Oh, and a little bit of binding is missing from the peghead (see photo 8, top right). Overall, it’s in great shape.
NEWBIES: If you have a zero response score, no problem -- offer away -- but please contact me by e-mail first, or I will have to cancel your offer.
SHIPPING: I ship only to the U.S. mainland, Hawaii, Alaska and U.S. Protectorates. No P.O. boxes, please, and no international sales. Domestic shippaing is usually via UPS Ground ($18.00), with an extra $25.00 for shipment to Hawaii, Alaska or U.S. Protectorates.
Mahalo for looking.