Posted By: tubeandplate (+49) | Rate Member
$1,250 USD
About Me, the Seller:
banjohangout.org/luthier/tubeandplate
What other banjohangout members have said about their experience regarding conducting business through the banjohangout with me:
banjohangout.org/reviews/searc...edir=true
Offered here is an original 1920's Wendell Hall Ludwig banjo ukulele, the pentultimate banjo uke, and this is for sale on another internet site as well.
It is in very good to excellent condition with minor play and age wear as to be expected of an instrument of this age that was sensitively played and cared for and has existed for 90 + years.
Please reference the pictures for actual overall condition.
I have 70+ pictures of this banjo in detail I will be happy to email to SERIOUS inquirers to help in evaluating this banjo.
This uke is complete except for the original head tightening wrench, which did not survive with this banjo.
All is original, functional, complete, and functioning to this uke except bridge and strings.
I see no major problems with this uke; neck is straight, minimal fret wear, original head, case, no missing or damaged parts, etc....
Original friction tuners complete and working/holding tune well, and French Walnut resonator has some nice burl/curl figure in the grain.
The only apologies I can find are:
-bridge is a regular uke bridge that has been glued on the original Ludwig branded head with what looks like to be hide glue and this looks to have been done in the 20's or 30's to me. I was going to set this banjo up, but I did not want to chance ungluing the bridge from the head in case the next owner would prefer to make that decision and have that work done themselves. Since skin heads are installed wet, and hide glue will release with moisture, it is theoretically possible that a careful person could save the original head by carefully removing the bridge. I will leave that to the buyer's discretion, however, the bridge was actually glued on in the correct location, so it notes pretty well now and the bridge height is right around 1/4" +/-, giving a low action of 3/32" at the last fret.
-1st string nut slot is worn low, so 1st string buzzes on first fret...I will leave this fix to the buyer as this is the original nut
-strings are old nylon strings, but a correct uke set
-This appears to be the original case to me given my experience with these ukes. This one is missing the Ludwig case badge (it never had one from new....the factory never installed one), which is not unique to these, has the correct green corduroy lining, however the uke body fits loosely in the case. Handle may be a replacement; latches, catch, latch springs, and hinges all intact and functioning. In years past, someone has used carpet tacks to re-attach the green lining to the top perimeter of the body of the case around the banjo body....again, this restoration decision I leave to the buyer.
-pot/flange to resonator attachment screw hole under armrest has a crack in the resonator sidewall (NOT through to the outside of the sidewall AS PICTURED) from the factory install driving the screw; easy fix, or leave as is as screw threads hold well
-tailpiece side hole in rimstick has it's threads worn so screw through resonator sidewall does not grab; again, easy fix
-some play wear to fretboard in first position; in my opinion, a non-issue, and easily remedied by a competent luthier, again, I leave this decision to the buyer.
This banjo uke was in such good nick, even though as a collector and luthier I was tempted to clean and shine it up and set it up, I have decided to leave it completely original as found since it represents itself so well now and leave any future decisions to the buyer.
I appreciate buying things in this condition more than buying something someone else has "restored"....possibly you feel the same, so I am passing this pleasure on with the uke since it tunes up and plays relatively decently now, though it could certainly benefit from a set up and fresh strings.
I am a professional luthier specializing in banjos with a soft spot in my heart for the great banjo ukes. I have had a Gibson UB-4, and this Ludwig really does best it.
Family issues and a busy shop schedule are my reasons for passing this on to an appreciative new owner.
Happy to ship to Europe with shipping to be done correctly with customs and signed for/confirmed delivery so that this will not be lost in the mail.
All shipping, insurance, and customs or other fees related to shipping will be my actual cost and paid for by the buyer.
Please see my banjo hangout homepage, luthier's profile, and reviews under my name "Chris Cioffi" in the Luthier's Reviews section to find out more about my character and ability to evaluate, pack/ship and sell a vintage banjo/instrument, and what other banjo hangout members who have become my customers who have experienced these things say about my character and performance as a seller and service provider.
This is a vintage used instrument that I have evaluated, described, and pictured to the best of my ability, and is sold as such with no returns or approval period. This is sold as is and as found; it has not been cleaned or set up, altered, or fixed other than I did clean the fingerboard with naptha and a cloth for the pictures to show the board play wear, and I did blow the "dust bunnies" out of the resonator while I had it apart for the pictures....."dem bunnies been in deah since 'bout '28..reckin dey wuz 'seep by nahw". Set up and restoration is left completely up to the buyer. It is "playable" now, however, I would invite the buyer to realize that for professional every day performance readiness, this banjo uke should have a competent set up and maintenance session with a qualified luthier since it has not had one since it's manufacture in the 1920's.
Buyer will ask all questions (which I invite) and inspect all pictures before making their decision.
Again, I have 70+ pictures of this banjo in detail I will be happy to email to SERIOUS inquirers to help in evaluating this banjo.
Thank you for looking.
'23 Skidoo, Hillbilly Hula Pals-
Chris Cioffi
PS-Formby Rocks
Location:
United States, Springfield, TN, 37172
Shipping:
Actual, to be determined
Payment Methods:
Check/Money Order, Paypal
Return Policy:
Returns not accepted.
Condition of Item(s):
Used - Very Good Condition
Category:
Make:
Ludwig
Ad Status:
Sold
Listing No:
36660
Page Views:
12296
