Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Banjos, SOLD
The Gibson UB4 Banjo Ukulele was built in Kalamazoo, Michigan from 1927 to 1935, and again in 1938. Gibson was relatively slow to the Ukulele market, but had been building banjos since at least 1918. The UB-4 is a professional grade instrument, with full flange and resonator. Gibson also offered the UB-5, which was this same instrument but with gold plated metal parts. This trim level would put it in the Mastertone range, but these Ukuleles don’t have the Mastertone tone ring.
This Gibson UB4 Banjo Ukulele is in very good condition for being 87 years old. It’s built with an eight inch pot and fifteen inch scale length, and Mahogany seems to be the dominant wood for the pot, neck and resonator sides. The resonator back is a quilted Walnut. The bound fingerboard is Brazilian Rosewood, and the inlays and ‘The Gibson’ script logo are Mother of Pearl. The metal parts are nickel plated, and in very good shape with minimal corrosion. Tuners are Grover friction pegs with Creme ivoroid buttons, and the tailpiece is a Grover Presto Patent model.
This example has no visible serial or FON (Factory Order Number).
As one might expect from the combination of banjo technology with the Ukulele, the Gibson UB4 can be pretty loud, and easily holds its own with other instruments or a trained voice.
This wonderful instrument plays well, and sounds great, with a fully developed voice from its Calfskin head.
The original hard shell case is included.
- Model: UB-4 Ukulele Banjo
- Year: 1932 | Approximate year
- Finish Mahogany Stain
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: N/A, built around 1932 in Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 12/11/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 3.96lbs 1.8kg
- Scale Length: 15in 381mm
- Nut Width: 1.26in 32mm
