tonywils - Posted - 01/02/2014:  05:48:09

I hope this is in the right forum:

I just purchased a 30s Gretsch banjo ukulele (from Elderly). It won't arrive until tomorrow, but I had a question re a photo Elderly had of the Uke's back. I'm trying to figure out the purpose of the cross piece attached to the dowel, the piece with the two slotted screws (next the metal post where the resonator is attached). My first thought is that it's part of the Elton resonator, maybe to support it from behind. I've done some searching online, and can't find anything similar, but I could be searching for the wrong thing. If anyone has a clue, it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

Photo attached below

beegee - Posted - 01/02/2014:  06:24:24

It looks home-made, so my best guess is that it was made to mount either a resonator, or a pickup or mike or lights or to affix the uke to a stand or somebody had transformed it into a lamp.

tonywils - Posted - 01/02/2014:  06:45:01

so maybe I bought a very cool lamp?  :)

Mumble Peg - Posted - 01/02/2014:  09:38:44

Might be a tone modifier. Run the two screws up to touch the skin head and the tone will change depending on the pressure.

tonywils - Posted - 01/02/2014:  10:29:22

Tone modifier? That's interesting. When it is delivered tomorrow, I'm hoping I can see where it has touched either the skin or the resonator. 

Thanks.

banjonz - Posted - 01/02/2014:  11:37:29

I don;t think it is a reso mount. The reso mount hardware is sitting right behind it.

Billybiltbanjo - Posted - 01/02/2014:  11:47:48

Just a guess but it looks like a homemade device that will put upward pressure on the dowel stick when the adjustable bolts butt against the inside of the resonator and the resonator stop blocks butt up against the rim..You know what happens to a dowel stick when you over tighten a center attached resonator..Over time, it warps the stick and can affect the string height so maybe that is to counter it

tonywils - Posted - 01/02/2014:  20:50:21

I thought the bolts might press against the resonator, but I couldn't figure out why; your idea that it's to keep the dowel stick from warping is a good one. And it gives me something specific to search for online. When the uke arrives tomorrow I'll see how the bolts line up with the resonator.

Thanks for your help.

Stephen John Prior - Posted - 01/03/2014:  00:06:03

I've seen similar devices made to set the depth between the resonator and the head. This must be the deluxe model as its adjustable :-)

sugarinthegourd - Posted - 01/03/2014:  06:37:29

I like Billybiltbanjo's guess. Whatever it is, I'd say it's definitely homemade.