The Ukaholic

John T: Banjo Ukulele Hero

2012-03-04T21:32:00.001-05:00

I wanted to take a minute to note the passing of John Thompson - John T to his customers and friends - to stroke.

John was from the UK. Here he is on a trip to the New York Ukulele Festival; while here in NYC, he bought a vintage Gibson ukulele at Mandolin Brothers on Staaten Island.

There are not that many people who are truly schooled in banjo ukuleles, but John T was one of the most knowledgeable out there. More importantly, he shared his knowledge, freely and happily, with those of us who were trying to learn more or trying to figure out how to set up to produce a great sound or the right action.

John's son James broke the news to his friends and acquaintances on Ukulele Cosmos this week.

When I was researching Stromberg-Voisinet ukes some years ago, I found John playing his S-V-made Wizard uke on You Tube. He answered my request for info right away and gave more than I asked for. Everyone on the Cosmos tells a similar story.

John's Ukulele Shop has been a great resource for new players, and you can find it in my links section at the bottom of each page of this blog.

Those who were lucky enough to spend time with him talk about his generosity of time and spirit, but they also talk about how much fun he was to be around.

He was 52. Take a moment to lift a glass.

Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Banjos

2012-02-12T01:12:00.001-05:00

There's something you notice in this ad from Stromberg-Voisinet - other than the fact that they were electrifying guitars and banjos (!) in 1929, and that's the fact that I've only ever seen these four types of instruments - guitars, parlor guitars/tenor guitars, tenor banjos and banjo ukuleles, but never seen an S-V wooden uke or mandolin. This, even though they started life as the Groeschel mandolin company at the turn of the 20th Century. If you're interested in how Henry Kuhrmeyer offered electric guitars and banjo ukes, read on at Vintage Guitar Magazine

This ad, which was originally sent to me by my friend Chris Jameson, prompted me to look for tenor banjos with the Stromberg earmarks and decorative features, including a three-lobed headstock, decorative pearloid, purfling, resonator decals, and a recessed resonator attachment, and they appear to be very common, and were likely a big seller for the company. Most interesting is that they're like big versions of the banjo ukes they produced.

For example, here's their tenor version of the "Rose". This brand, Howard, was sold by Wurlitzer, but clearly, Stromberg-Voisinet supplied the instruments for Howard; an example of a double-jobber.

Note the same russet-stained walnut, the rose decal, the same chrome recess that holds the attachment screw, and the five-piece neck, in common with the Rose banjo uke. The family lineage is pretty clear in these full-size tenors.

You'll also notice the floral/foliage designs on the metal ring around the pot and on the resonator and bezel ring look very much like the designs on the pot of the Stromberg-Voisinet Crocodile-skin ukuleles.

Also, notice that three-lobed headstock, which is a fairly consistent feature of S-V banjos.

You can also find, in the fretboard MOP marker, the S-V diamond logo.

When the company became Kay, they apparently continued to use the necks/headstocks,
hardware and
flanges that they had in stock, and then began to develop other headstocks and flanges, so you'll see these headlock and flange designs on Kay banjos from the 30s and even beyond. Here's a flange design common to both Kay and S-V productions.

Here's a Clarion - which uses the same lousy decal that we saw on the Clarion banjo uke - it's even affixed sloppily, just as we saw on the Clarion that Allen Harris had for sale some months back. Clearly, the folks at Clarion were more concerned with moving their instruments out the door quickly, but the name can't disguise the origin of the instrument: same headstock, same flange, same company.

These tuners, very simple and inexpensive looking, may have been fitted at Clarion's request. You'll notice that Grover geared tuners, including the excellent pancake tuners, are apparent on the other examples shown elsewhere in the entry.

Here's a version of the Rose decal again, and this Clarion almost looks like a cheaper version of the Rose made for Howard/Wurlitzer above - three-piece instead of five-piece neck - with a sunburst finish on the resonator.

Here are a few additional banjos, all show the trademark headstock and other S-V features.

Conqueror - not one I've seen before, but very nice inlay work on the headstock script.

As you'll see, its a tenor banjo version of the banjo uke Style 1 "Black Beauty". It even has the same kind of turned resonator.

Even though the pot on this banjo uke is chrome-clad, you'll see the Style 1 purfling still makes its way into the mix, but around the resonator outer edge.

Here's a Stromberg-Voisinet banjo sold under its own name - note the label from the inside of the pot, which offers instructions on how to use the S-V coordinator rod, which replaces the dowel seen on the other banjos in this entry. It's very similar to the coordinator rod patented by Gibson, as you can see in the second photo.

This one has an interesting resonator back decal.

Geared tuners, five-piece neck.

Below is a Stromberg-Voisinet with a Wilson Brothers decal in the resonator - just as we've seen before in this blog with the Wilson Brothers-labeled style one and style four ukes.

This banjo has the same resonator assembly and pot with chrome ring that we saw on the 7" Wizard banjo ukes.

Another unique resonator decal on this example.

Finally, I've thrown in some pictures of a Stromberg-Voisinet Key-Chord, a sort of push-button banjo from the 20's, built for the person who played guitar and didn't want to lean the fundamentals of tenor tuning. Oddly, it seems more difficult to get good at this instrument than it does to get good at a tenor, but hey, they must've sold quite a few of them to make them worth building. The mechanics of this instrument are interesting. I'd seen one deconstructed once...

Here's the panel of chord buttons. You depress the chord you want, and a template descends on the machinery of linkages, depressing the string and pressing it against the fretless fretboard. I've never played one, but there have been three on Ebay in the last two years, including one that never seems to move that's for sale right now. So you have a shot at it! :)

I realize there's nothing TRULY uke oriented here, but I couldn't resist showing the big brother of our little banjo ukes since the family resemblance is so strong - and the same situation of misidentification or no identification follows these particular S-V instruments as well.

OK - I realize this entry may feel a bit like your uncle's slides of his trip down Route 66, so next time - I'll be back on ukuleles and the blog will be a bit shorter. ;)

That's it for now. Until next time, keep on strumming'

Prince Wong

2012-01-22T16:22:00.005-05:00

One of the holy grail instruments for me is a Martin 2 from the 20s. I've always loved the sound of Martin ukes. I bought a Martin 0 from the 60s back in 1993 and loved it so much, I never really felt the need for buying another soprano uke for another 18 years.

But in the back of my mind, I always wanted a style 2. Cliff Edwards had a couple, and so did several other vaudeville acts; perhaps the white binding helped the uke read visually from beyond the first dozen or so rows.

Here's the Cook Sisters, a vaudeville act from the 20s, which only cut one record (on the B side was "Make My Cot Where the Cot Cot Cotton Grows"; "A Shady Tree" on side A). They have matching Style 2s, and are famous for having had some of their costumes stolen by a young dancer appearing on the bill with them called Lucille "Billie" Le Seur, who within a year was re-christened Joan Crawford.

In December, I was trolling Ebay for a Style 2 - there were about 10 on sale and I got one from a pawnshop in Lancaster, CA. It's the one that went for the least - though I think it was most valuable of the lot. As you can see in the photograph, it's got a name painted on it; Prince Wong. It's a dark-stained mahogany number, very dark next to my Style 0. A minor twist in the neck thankfully had no impact on the intonation (complete luck!). The uke needed to have the second fret hammered back in and filed slightly, and although there are a couple of cracks, they're tightly closed on the body, and the fretboard, though showing tiny cracks in a couple of places, is rock-solid. $35 in minor adjustments and the uke was suddenly loud and clear. Different from my Style 0, but no less addictive to play.

So who was Prince Wong? I had no idea when I bid on it, but I started looking into it. The great folks over on Ukulele Cosmos had some thoughts, and Victrola Lague - who is herself a serious collector and player of the good stuff - had a couple of cuts for me to hear, including one recording of Prince Wong playing "Somebody's Lonely" on ukulele; perhaps, she mused, he played this very Style 2?: Somebody's Lonely

J. Boy Shyne came up with a violin cut of Prince Wong's, and Karl in Bruges also came through, with a website for Grass Skirt Records, which gave enough basic information to track Prince Wong: Grass Skirt Records This rang a bell for me: "Prince Wong was actually George Prince Louis, born 14 January 1899 in San Luis Obispo, California. He was born into a well-known local family and his father Wong On Ah Louis established a number of businesses in the area, including the renowned Ah Louis Store."

Coincidentally, I had just read about Ah Louis and his role as a labor advocate and agent for Chinese working on the railroads on a recent visit to the Museum of Chinese in America here in NYC. So, armed with this knowledge, I called up the San Luis Obispo County Historical Center and hit paydirt. It turns out that they weren't aware that George Ah Louis was a musician, let alone in show business, but Eve Newman there was kind enough to dig into the Ah Louis family file with her colleagues and unearthed not only George's story, but also photos of him playing different instruments. Here's what I found out through Eve, IMBD and other sources:

George Ah Louis showed a musical talent early in life - and became a multi-insturmentalist - playing guitar, Hawaiian guitar, tenor banjo, ukulele, and violin - and perhaps other instruments. He had an act called Shanghai to San Francisco in 14 minutes, and, when he made it to the top-flight Orpheum circuit, the act was changed to Shanghai to San Francisco in 10 minutes (Perhaps they gave you less time on the bill the better you got?). As Prince Wong, George enjoyed a long career in vaudeville, radio, and did some recording, though how many sides he cut is unknown. During WWII, he got work playing Japanese Soldiers in the movies under his new stage name "Prince Waln". He also led a Hawaiian band that regularly played Radio City Music Hall here in New York. Later, he was involved in producing TV commercials, teaching music, and other business ventures. His style of banjo playing was apparently very influential, and according to his obituary, so was his Hawaiian Guitar work; He died 20th May, 1993 in Tigard, Oregon.

And so, did my Style 2 belong to George Ah Louis? Hard to say. I initially thought, with the signature painted where it is, that to whomever it belonged must have been a lefty, but the uke's original nut and bridge have always been strung for a right-handed player. And Prince Wong was right-handed, as we can see in the photos of him. But, if you were righty, holding the uke in your left hand, that's where you would have painted your name on the lower bout.

Nothing's conclusive, but the signature is quite old, hand painted in white (you can see the brushstrokes when you're up close). According to Ukulele Cosmos pal Autumn Leaf, and confirmed by my friend Meghan McGeary (who sometimes plays as Amity Rose), the pictogram in the signature is the name "Huang", which Anglicized is "Wong". The uke is conclusively 1920's, and could certainly have been the one used when Prince Wong cut his records for Pathé in 1926 and afterwards. Or, could it be that he personalized one of his students' or a fan's uke? Well, yes, it could be.

So, while I don't know that it's his, I believe it is. And the Museum in San Luis says that they'd be happy to accept it into their collection someday. I want to hang onto it for a bit, first though. :) In the meantime, I want to share this great piece of Asian-American show business history with people I play for and with. Just being able to hold it in my hand during the time I get to play it makes me feel like I hit the lottery.

Next time, I'll have some golden age tenor banjos to show you - 'til then - keep on strumming and picking. :)

Stromberg-Voisinet's Budget Uke?

2012-01-06T14:18:00.002-05:00

Hello and Happy New Year.

I hope that everyone who reads this had a great holiday and got what they wanted from Santa in the uke department. And I hope that wherever you are, the weather isn't AWFULLY COLD, like it is here.

Back in my last post, I promised an entry on a Stromberg-Voisinet model that I'm calling the Style 2. So far, we've covered the Style 1 "Black Beauty" and its variants, the Style 1 "Crocodile Skin" and the various versions of the Style 1 "Deluxe"; as well as the "Rose". Since then, there have been several Roses up for sale, and an update on those may well be in order. I've also got a LOT of Stroberg-Voisinet tenor banjos to share with you, as well as a fantastic little Martin 2 I bought, which I'll post on next week.

But, in the meantime - here's a look at the Style 2. As you can see in the above photo of George Formby Society member James Bassett (age 7 at time of the photo) - who can really play, and these below photos here, this is a unique model for Stromberg-Voisinet. It appears to have only been offered in one color and wood option, and it's hardware is more basic than that offered on every other style of S-V uke. Key features are: deep-lipped non-flanged resonator with black binding on both resonator edges, blond maple pot, neck and resonator, ebony fretboard and headstock facing, and hex-shaped tension hook shoes. As for adornment, only the four MOP fret markers – no headstock diamond - and in this example only, a double pinstripe around the bottom of the pot.

As this model sadly illustrates, these instruments are seldom in good shape, which also contributes to my thinking that they may have been the cheapest models offered, as less expensive things tend not to be taken care of.

This particular example has been nicely customized on the resonator back by a previous owner with the name “Max Boyd”. Who was the artiste Max Boyd? Well, clearly *not* the smooth jazz practitioner who leads the Max Boyd Group, but someone who made their living in vaudeville.

All features of the Style 2 are here, pointing to one of the most design-consistent SV offerings. Offered on EBay, this did not sell, unsurprisingly – as it had a $59US starting bid and not a few issues…

Another Style 2 with somewhat creepy player art of a flapper on the vellum. As noted, identical in all aspects to the dozen or so I've seen. This one, missing some hardware, moved on Ebay in August of 2011, moving for $82.

And finally, a few shots of a Style 2 that moved for about $100. Pricing seems fairly consistently low for this uke, with others I've noted going for $110 and $89 for two examples in good condition. As you can see in the very bottom photo - this example shows the only other variation I've seen on a Style 2: a birdseye maple resonator back. This makes the uke look less bargain basement.

There's not a lot to add, except that - based on surviving examples - this model appears to have been very common, though not quite as common as the black Style 1. It's come up for sale as a wall hanger several times, often missing all hardware. A shame, but that was and is the story with most of the low end vintage ukes out there. If you do find one that's playable or in restorable shape - or better yet, in good nick - then jump. It may not be worth a lot, but it's a great piece of history.

Next time, I'll tell you all about Prince Wong's uke.

Until then, keep strumming, and keep warm, for goodness sake.

Deluxe is always better than regular...

2011-11-23T14:58:00.001-05:00

When you go into a diner in NYC, you have a choice on the burger. You can get it plain, or deluxe, which means it comes with fries, a tiny eye-cup-full of coleslaw, a pickle, and lettuce, tomato and onion. Despite there not being enough coleslaw, ALWAYS get the deluxe.

In the case of Stromberg Voisinets, the same may be true. If you have a chance at picking up a regular Style One "Black Beauty" or one of these Style One "Deluxe" models, you may want to get the Deluxe. They go for upwards of a $100 more than a regular Style One these days, but you get a lot for that.

Features are fairly consistent on Style One Deluxe models. Instead of just stained maple, they appear to be made of maple, mahogany and walnut in various combinations, with each instrument slightly different. When they were made 1920-1930 or so, it's not clear if the choice of wood was the craftsman's or the buyer's.

The fretboard has ivroid binding, the headstock has a slightly more elaborate MOP inlay instead of the S-V diamond logo, and the wood is not stained, but rather clear lacquered so the natural grain and color comes through.

The pot and resonator are purfled as on the regular Style One, but the center of the resonator is always inlaid with a contrasting wood, usually birds-eye maple. On this particular example, you see a mahogany neck and pot, walnut resonator, and maple inlay. It's a great-looking variant of the usual "Black Beauty".

Here's a great example of a Style One Deluxe, which sold on eBay in January 2011 for an amazing $514.00. You can see the five-piece laminated neck that's also common to all in this model line.

This uke, posted by Rhinooooo – one of this blog’s readers, really caught my attention. It’s basically a Fancy Style 1 like above, but there are interesting variations. It's all walnut, and which also has a completely atypical purfling design on the pot and resonator back.

Also note that instead of the usual S-V diamond inlay logo, or even the deluxe version, this uke has an MOP star inlaid, and only has three MOP fretboard markers. So far, it's one-of-a-kind.

Here's another, darker variation, which appears to be mahogany, with a mahogany-stained maple resonator. This particular example went for $100 on Ukulele Underground in April of 2011.

Finally, here's a light maple Style One Deluxe, with a dark-stained resonator. This shows the fretboard binding and MOP markers as they appear typically. You'll notice that the fretboard in the top photo of this blog appears to show elaborate MOP markers - nope, it's those pernicious stickers again. Those should be outlawed. Play with your eyes shut if you really want to learn the neck. :)

That's all for now - I've got dozens of photos of these Deluxe Style Ones, but you get the idea. Nicer, better decorated, mostly well-taken care of by their original owners, they represent an upgraded version of the basic Style One.

Next time, I'll show you the Style Two, which is fairly different from what you've seen so far. In some ways, it may be the budget model S-V, but then, who can say? If you've seen anything on my little OCD blog, its that nothing's definite. :) Until then, if you get the burger deluxe, ask for extra coleslaw. And Happy Thanksgiving.

Crocodile Skin Ukes...

2011-11-19T10:20:00.003-05:00

One of the strangest ukuleles produced by Stromberg Voisinet has to be the Style 1 variant covered with "faux crocodile skin".

The substance, referred to in a couple of places as faux crocodile (which it doesn't look like) and "Duralene" seems to be some sort of epoxy paste, applied to the resonator back, part of the pot and also, a large diamond on the back of the headstock - echoing the Stromberg Voisinet diamond logo. This was sculpted into a pattern of swirls and then painted a grey green and lacquered over with a sort of pearlescent finish that gives the instrument an organic, art nouveau look, like one of those Tiffany dragonflies. I've only seen two of these, one I owned and another offered by Elderly instruments over a year ago.

Other than this bold decorative adornment, the ukulele is a regular Style 1, but instead of sporting an ebonized finish, this version has a dark, russet-brown stain, nicely complimentary to the greenish crocodile skin.

Elderly's offering, seen here and above, had that mahogany-stained neck and pot. With broken neck dowel, it sold for $100.00.

Here, you can follow yet another restoration series, this one done by my friend Tim Caneulle (Two Trax on Banjo Hangout). The difference between Tim's restoration project and the Elderly instrument is that the Duralene comes more than half-way up the pot side instead of just being confined to the cap and this instrument has that uncommon six-mop fretboard inlay pattern.

I bought this from Tim in January 2011 along with that neat little no-name uke next to it in the final photo. I really enjoyed playing it, but it's now owned by my extremely talented buddy Ben Mealer, who really does it justice!

See Ben here: on his YouTube channel

Those are the only two examples I've seen of the Crocodile Skin Style 1. I expect Stromberg Voisinet didn't make a lot of these - and indeed, they're probably not for everyone. I think its one of the most interesting and unique instruments made during the banjo uke golden age of the 20s and 30s.

That's it for now. I've been busy with a new job for the last 2 months, but in the time, I've lined up several interesting ukes to show you. I'll share them soon, and in the meantime, keep strumming'.

Wizard, Clarion, Concertone and other odd ducks...

2011-09-07T15:38:00.002-04:00

I hope that you had a great Labor Day if you're here in the states, and a great late summer weekend if you're not. I just got back from two weeks vacation, got an offer for a new job (which I was VERY happy to accept), and got home to find that you can survive a couple of weeks of not playing, but only just...

As promised, I'm taking a look at some of the instruments contract built by Stromberg Voisinet for various jobbers, department stores and other music companies. You see SV banjo ukes routinely come up under the following names: Wizard, Concertone (a Montgomery-Ward offering), Clarion, and Mayflower. There are occasionally others that are clearly SV-made ukes, but which have different company names on them; most recently, two SV resonator backed ukes have come up with a "Wilson Brothers Mfg." sticker affixed inside of the resonator and another couple I've seen have "Humphrey" in jagged black script on the pearloid headstock. Often, you will see Concertones and others that have *not* been built by Stromberg Voisinet, with William Lange, Slingerland and Lyon & Healy products figuring. Jobbers frequently placed orders with different companies to meet their demand.

Concertone
The Concertones that I've seen tend to be simple, maple models, often openbacks. They're pretty plain looking, and occasionally, there's no ebony fingerboard, which is a feature I've also noticed on Slingerland-made Concertones.

Wizard
Wizards tend to be as elaborate as Concertones tend to be austere. Take a look at this 7" pot model above. Now the plate is lost, but it clearly says "Wizard" in the oval ghost imprint of the metal nameplate. Walnut, headstock inlay is S-V, but, oddly, the head has no central lobe. Pot and turned, flanged resonator are unique to this 12-tensioner model, but the inlays, scalloped open flange, neck, heel, and resonator attachment are typical S-V. This example sold on eBay for $178.50 in September of ‘10.

As you can see in this particular example - which is in much rougher condition - the nameplate is missing, but the details are identical to the above model. However, we get some nice shots here of the interior and some repair work - just click on any photo to make it bigger.

And finally, here's a link to another 7” pot, scallop-flanged resonator model, this one on You Tube

After contacting the owner, I found that the instrument never had a "Wizard" nameplate on the headstock, perhaps indicating that this particular example was indeed sold by Stromberg Voisinet as one of their own instruments. Hopefully, you don't mind hearing "Hey There, Delilah".

Several 8" pot models made by Stromberg Voisinet were also offered as "Wizards", and these are unique in a couple of ways. This “Wizard” to the left is clearly an S-V-made model. The pot only has 12 tensioners, and also has typical SV purfling, though the resonator does not. Resonator is Type 5 – no decoration, in birdseye maple, rest of the instrument looks like maple.

A second model Wizard, identical to the above, but with the important difference that the resonator is three-piece and is not attached using the standard S-V method of a screw in a recessed chrome inset. The resonator is a two-piece back and note the lack of raised, ‘grommets’ around the resonator holes. Otherwise, it’s the identical instrument.

Here's another "Wizard" uke (although, looking closely at the photos, it might be the very same uke as the above being re-sold as so often happens on Ebay) which shares the different method of resonator attachment as the above example. With the three-piece resonator off, you can see the bolted-on threading for the screw. The seller took no photos of the pot or neck from the side, so we can’t see if there’s any purfling as in the above models. Sold for $125 on eBay, March 20th, 2011.

Clarion
I've only seen two Clarions, and this example has a different logo from the other I've seen, which I don't have a photograph of. Sadly - this is a much altered instrument. The scraped and torn “Clarion” headstock decal partially covers the S-V slotted diamond inlay. The flat-backed resonator is homemade out of pressboard, attached with screws and tubes sunk into the pot cap. Tuning machines have large sink washers as spacers. The most notable detail is the 5 mop fretboard marker pattern, which I've never seen in any other SV uke. This was probably originally a resonator model: it moved on Ebay, 12/17/10, sold in the UK for 79 quid, if memory serves.

Let these last photos serve as a potent warning to those of you selling anything on Ebay; neutral background tones, please - and if these photos were posted by the knowledgable and very nice Alan 'Uke' Harris, my apologies to him for being a littttle cheeky, here. ;) I'm going to go flush my corneas of all that blueness, and in the meantime, I'll assemble some crocodile skin for you...

...until then...strumming.

Open Backs Galore

2011-08-17T10:16:00.001-04:00

When I think of August, I think of visiting the seaside or taking a vacation, and that inspired me to put together a post on the instrument that was probably intended to go on the road with you, the little open back uke.

I've dubbed these Stromberg Voisinet ukes as Style O, which I reckon makes some sense, since they ARE open. There seem to be three basic models:

1. This is the simple, open back 8” maple model with flame maple neck. Uniquely for S-V ukes, the headstock MOP inlay is a slotted circle in this model only. The above example, with the painted vellum, and the below example, were both Ebay finds; the Uke above moved in July for $114.50 and the below example, in similar condition, moved in November of 2010 for $91.99.

If you click on the group of photos here, you can get a better look at that slotted circle inlay unique to this model.

2. This brown-finished 8” uke (below) was bought for $60 by Pukulele Pete from Ukulele Underground at a flea market in Maine; why can't I ever find these flea markets? The original vellum was labeled “USS Case”, a destroyer that was present at Pearl Harbor; Pete believes that the ukulele may have been on board during the attack. Unlike the blond ukes above, this model has a more typical diamond headstock inlay.

The darker finish looks very nice - I'm a fan of stained finishes on banjo ukes.

Stromberg Voisinet made ukuleles and other instruments for various companies. I'm not fully clear on who offered the "Wizard" line of instruments, but Chicago-based department store Montgomery Ward is often identified as the seller. Either way, some "Wizards' are clearly William Lange products, and others are clearly Stromberg Voisinet.

A good example of Stromberg Voisinet-made "Wizard", is visible in this video on You Tube I'm including it because of its very close similarity to the above blond maple ukes. This instrument was owned by banjo uke seller, restorer and unmatched expert John T at John T's Banjo Ukes

As you can see in the video, it’s very similar to #1 above, with a maple pot and neck sporting signature S-V purfling around the pot. Also typical S-V headstock with black veneer facing and S-V slotted diamond inlay. Note that although this is an 8” pot, it only has 12 tension hooks instead of the 16 displayed on the examples above.

3. Finally, we come to the Style O Junior model - which as you might expect is a 7" pot model with 12 tension hooks.

This first example features a plain maple neck and pot, which - though not visible - has purfling, an ebony peghead face, and flame maple pot cap on back. This example sold on eBay for $104.00 in August of 2010. The example immediately below has been restored and altered, but its similar to 7” model at top. Flame maple neck and headstock are unique differences. The headstock design, which looks like a sticker, is actually an elaborate MOP inlay added by a luthier. Though that addition looks GHASTLY to me, my taste is clearly off since this uke moved for $245 on Ebay in October of 2010.

I wish these open back instruments were a bit more common as it would be good to get a sense of what was offered. Pukulele Pete's brown-finished open back only emerged last week, the first I've seen of that particular model. I'm watching what else emerges, but for now, there seem to be three basic styles, blond maple, brown-stained maple, and the junior 7" model. Plus that Wizard.

OK, enough time on the web for you. Next time - I'll delve into the Wizards and other jobbers, and until then, grab your open back uke and head to the beach already!

"The Rose"

2011-08-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

An instrument that everyone who owns has dubbed "The Rose" this uke sits at the top of the line of Stromberg Voisinet banjo ukuleles. Before I get into this model, just note: I've added some photos of some of Slingerland's rarer models, the Maybell 023 and the 028, to an earlier post on some of these instruments.

Onto the Rose. That's probably not its real model name, but what else do you call something that looks like this? Still somewhat modest aside of that rose decal, The Rose is the most richly decorated S-V model, and has the most extensive resonator. Appears to be mahogany, neck is five-piece and white celluloid binding is present on resonator back edge. I'm always on the lookout for this particular model: it sounds great and looks great.

Here's a classic example of "The Rose", played by my friend, the VERY talented musician, performance artist and playwright Meghan McGeary. She says that it’s from 1930 and it was purchased from Misurgia in Brooklyn, NY. As in other examples, there’s no diamond headstock inlay.

And here's another shot, of that great decal.

Another “Rose” is in the collection of English banjo-uke wiz and great all-around musician Matthew J. Richards, who is a member of the George Formby Society and I believe keyboardist/musical director for the Society's Blackpool conventions. His is slightly different from the above example. It has the rose decal, the five-piece neck and the white binding on the resonator back edge, but also has pearloid (mother-of-toilet-seat) fretboard and peghead laminate, as well as white binding along the fretboard and neck. A lovely instrument, great sounding; see him playing the “Rose” on his You Tube channel

Here's some of the variation I keep prattling on about in Stromberg Voisinets. Same mahogany top-line model as above, but with pearloid fingerboard and head, white binding, and...no rose! A birdseye maple inlay is here instead, a similar back decoration as you've seen previously on Style One models.

Finally, you will note that there's no "Stromberg Voisinet" logo or maker's mark anywhere on any of these ukes. Truly, I'd never seen one before this "Rose" hit Ebay last month, selling in the UK for the relatively modest equivalent of $260.00. As you can see - Tada! - a logo. This is the only SV logo I've seen of the 50 or so examples I've cataloged. I hope that another emerges. And as you can also see, there's a cat with some taste.

Next time, I hope to post some video. But until then, have a good weekend and keep strummin'

More Slingerland Banjo Ukes

2011-08-02T15:13:00.001-04:00

After about a week in Los Angeles, where I got to meet one of my idols, the incredibly talented and equally generous Tony Trischka, I've decided I may have to attempt the five string and take a rest from my four-stringiness. Hey, Tony said, "You can do it - it's easy to learn." He's the kind of guy that you completely believe, so now you know who to blame when I start posting links to me flailing while frailing and blathering on about the unmatched sonic beauty of pre-war Gibson Flathead Mastertones.

Here is Tony playing a piece I enjoyed singing along with this weekend, his "Shameless Pandering Medley"

OK, so let's talk ukes, pronounced by me as "yuke," by the way, not "ooke"; my orientation is more vaudeville than the islands.

We were looking at Slingerland Maybells, and I have a few more to show you.

Here's the Outfit #30.

You'll notice that, despite the fancy mop inlay, it has a kind of standard Slingerland headstock that matches the ones seen on all models 024, 025, O28 and the resonator-backed 023. This isn't always true with the Outfit #30, which - as you can see in the catalog in my last post, has a very banjo-like headstock shape. The reason, I believe, is that some of these Outfit #30s were actually built for Slingerland by Liberty once Slingerland acquired the company. Here's a look at a Maybell built by Liberty: this page is from Dave Schenkman's incredibly helpful and definitive site, which you should check out if you haven't already. Also, please note the decal on the back of the resonator, which has been present on all the Outfit #30's I've seen, in addition to all the Maybell 023s I've seen.

Here's a Maybell model 20 from the early 30s identifiable by the script decal and metal dowel hardware, instead of the usual embossed or branded logo and biscuit shim on the dowel, which you see in models built in the 20s. This one, which I refurbished more than a year ago, is now in the hands of Dave, the Cloverdale Kid, Laurice. Hello, Dave. :)

Next time, I'll have something on the Stromberg Voisinet "Rose" model, one of which just moved on eBay in the UK. Until then, consider five strings...

Who plays banjo ukulele?

2011-07-14T12:44:00.000-04:00

And now that I have your attention.... Yes, it's a naughty photo, perhaps not appropriate, but funny when you consider someone thought the humble banjo uke was a nice artistic touch that covered this woman's...modesty.

Also - If you're like me, and I'm sorry if you are, you noticed that this is in fact a Slingerland MayBell Model #20. And that brings us to the reason for the post. Dave, the Cloverdale Kid, has asked for a post about Slingerland Ukes, so here we go.

Here are two pages from an early 30's Catalog, with several different models. Other models, from the 20's, were discontinued by the 30s; more on those below.

Here, on the first page, we've got the 7" MayBells, the model 20, with an open back and 12 tension hooks; the model 65, with 12 tension hooks and an overlapping, open-front resonator; and the model 18, with a flat resonator back and 16 tension hooks.

Here's the next page of the catalog, with the two 8" BU models Slingerland offered; the model 24, which had 16 tension hooks and came in an open back or arch backed flush resonator style; and the outfit 30, which you can see is a fully flanged resonator uke, very handsome.

I've had the good fortune to see and play all of these models in person, and own the model 24 and model 20 for a few years.

Missing from this catalog are a number of variant models that appear to have been discontinued prior to the early 30’s. They are:

Model 28: This 7” pot model has sixteen head tension hooks and the neck and headstock associated with the 8” Model 24. The examples of this uke that I've seen are open-backed, but not definitively sure this didn’t also come in a flush resonator version, knowing Slingerland's penchant for offering both versions. Also, at one point, a twelve tension hook version was made of the model 28, also with a three piece neck and pinstriped heel cap, as seen in these photos.

Model 23 or “02 3” (Slingerland often put an "0" in front of their models designations, such as the "065," sometimes seen on the dowel of model 65s): a rare instrument, this 8” pot-model has an overlapping non-flanged resonator, which attaches via a single central screw in metal dowel attachment as in the model 65 pictured above. Otherwise, it looks exactly like a Model 24, but with an MOP star in headstock. And, as you'll see in the next post, the resonator looks very much like that of the Outfit #30, though without the flange or - in this case - the green purfling around the resonator's outer rim. I've never played this model or seen it in person, but it does look pretty good with that nice Slingerland decal on the back.

Model 25: I have no photos of this open back 8” pot model. With sixteen tension hooks, walnut three-piece neck and pot veneer, ebony fretboard, heel cap and peghead face, as well as an ebony pinstripe around the pot bottom and the heel, its a very handsome instrument. It has an MOP star and the typical style 24 fretboard markers, and looks like an upgrade of the standard model 24.

Unknown Model: 1930’s model with headstock decal script. Mahogany neck and pot, and walnut extended resonator with gold perloid resonator rim. 7” pot with mop head inlay, ebony head and fretboard. Looks like the MayBell model 65, except that there are sixteen tension hooks instead of the normal 12 and the addition of the wire armrest. Could be a factory model, a custom job, or a home made hybrid of the model 18 and the 65.

Finally, a couple of notes about the Outfit 30. I've seen several different versions of Slingerland's big resonator model uke and despite the fact that it fits a basic profile, there seems to be some variation in the instrument. I'll post the pictures I have of the 30 later, and hopefully by then, I'll have more shots of some instruments with variations to share with you.

Until then, happy strumming.

Style 1...continued

2011-07-11T14:40:00.001-04:00

I promised, in my last post, to show more of the Style 1. I'm going to start off with a sequence that shows the restoration of a Style 1, which gives you a great sense of what to expect if and when you're cleaning your uke, changing the vellum, or making other adjustments.

Here's the sequence, showing the uke in its worn condition, with finish heavily checked, and the process of cleaning, polishing and staining the wood of the uke with a new, ebonized finish. Note a unique feature of this particular style 1: there is purfling not only on the pot and on the back of the resonator, but also around the rim of the resonator, which I've only seen in this particular individual uke, though again, it's clearly a factory option.

It's interesting to note that this Style 1 has a small tone ring, set directly into the outer top rim of the pot. This isn't a standard feature, as the three style ones I've been able to work on do not have them, so it may have been an option available through retail order. Here's the finished uke, once more, next to a birdseye maple Slingerland MayBell model 20 in mint condition.

Stromberg Voisinet Style 1

2011-07-06T16:15:00.000-04:00

Where to start? Number 1 seems like a good place. I've dubbed this type of Stromberg Voisinet the Style 1.

It appears to be the most commonly made, certainly the most commonly surviving, of the SV banjo ukes. I've logged more then 10 of these over the last year and more, and the features are as follows:

Wood is maple stained black (ebonized)
Type 1 purfled resonator.
8” purfled pot.
Four MOP fretboard markers
Slotted diamond MOP headstock marker

The particular example pictured above is mine, which I purchased from Elderly Instruments, 9/12/10. It has no tone ring, though some Style 1s DO have them. I've modified the dowel and pot so that the neck could be lowered to allow Formby-style playing.

Here is another Style 1, similar to mine; the only difference is the yellow birdseye maple inlaid circle on the inside of the purfling ring on resonator back.

Clearly, the birdseye maple back was a popular option, as I've cataloged several examples that have the feature:

Here's one with the original canvas case -

Another, though the picture of the back would not reproduce -

Finally - here's an odd one - This Stromberg Voisinet was up for sale on eBay 12/19/10. Badly discolored, it is notable in that it is only one of two Stromberg Voisinet ukes I've seen out of 40 or so that has six MOP fretboard inlays instead of the usual four:

As you can see, the back of the resonator has no birdseye maple inlay.

Next time - I'll have several more Style 1 ukes to share with you, as well as a photo sequence of a restoration in progress.

See you next week.

2011-07-05T11:55:00.001-04:00

OK - so I said now and again I'd post some performance videos, and here we go.

Makalina arranged yet another great meet up at the Uke Hut here in New York City, in the shadow of the Empire State Building. Not only does she put together a great line up, she's kind enough to let me get up there with my old, old music, and even older jokes. Here's me singing a Fanny Brice parody, "The Sheik of Avenue B"

Makalina, Tom Gambino, Adrienne Pattino, my new friend Lauren LaRouge (all the way from Sydney, Australia!) and Khabu all performed. It was a real treat to get to hear these excellent players, let alone get up there myself.

Collecting Information on Stromberg Voisinet Ukuleles

2011-06-29T17:45:00.000-04:00

I’ve collected images of all the different types of Stromberg-Voisinet ukuleles that I’ve been able to find. Since there’s no S-V catalogue online anywhere, I’ll try to see if model types emerge from the various images I’m able to amass. I’m breaking the types down into smaller models with 7” pots and 12 head tension hooks, and the larger 8” models with 16 or 12 tension hooks.

The ukuleles are remarkably consistent in features, with the exception of obvious optional choices. Headstocks are all the same shape, and while inlays are not present in every case, most appear based on a slotted diamond. MOP fret markers usually run on frets 5,7,10 and 12. All pots have a laminated pot cap. Models were made of maple (often ebonized), flame maple, mahogany or walnut. Resonators are sometimes made with inlaid or multiple types of wood veneer. Walnut construction and birdseye maple inserts appear on the fancier resonators. All are attached with a single screw in a chromed central recess on the resonator back, except for some examples of the 12” Wizard, which lack the recess.

Resonators fall into six basic types:

1. non-flanged arch-back with a shallow lip;
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2. A non-flanged flat back with a deeper lip and binding;

3. A turned and beaded version of Style 1.;

4. A flanged version of style 1. with a deeper lip and a chrome flange with a scalloped, open edge;

5. A flatter, flanged resonator with circular holes, which was featured on the Buster Brown model;

6. And finally, a deeper, fully-flanged resonator with binding and ‘hard candy’ cutouts, and either a rose decal or multi-piece/inlaid back.

An inlaid checkerboard purfling is consistently used when there is pot decoration. Overall, S-V instruments are understated though handsome.

Please note that while I assign resonator type numbers from 0 (for open-backed model) to 6, these terms are my own to differentiate between the Stromberg Voisinet examples that exist. Because of the lack of catalogue or markings on the models, we don’t know what each model was called, so I'll be offering names that players and collectors may be using. My designations are there simply to keep track of the various models offered and should not be taken as official. At some point, perhaps a Kay historian or a relative of a Stromberg Voisinet craftsman may come forward to shed light on these wonderful instruments, but in the meantime, my imperfect system helps me and I hope that it helps you.

Model styles show small variation within type, but retain a set of distinct characteristics in common. Though there seems to be a plethora of models out there, within model style they are – again – remarkably consistent.

Right now, after more than a year of cataloging types, I find there are 12 distinct model styles. Ten models were built by Stromberg Voisinet for sale by themselves and occasionally by other companies (Montgomery Ward Concertone, Wizard and Clarion). Two models – the Wizard/Concertone 7” chrome resonator model and the Wizard 8” 12 tensioner Buster Brown variant – so far, appear to have been offered by other companies exclusively and not by Stromberg Voisinet, but will be included for completeness in future posts.

Hello - and first post on Stromberg Voisinets

2011-06-29T17:04:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome. Just what the world needs: another blog. And - it's also another blog about ukuleles. Well, I, like you, haven't got time to read these things, so my aim here is to make this blog as useful as possible. I'm interested in banjo ukuleles, but I'm almost obsessed in collecting information on Stromberg Voisinet banjo ukes. I've had three of these instruments over time, and find that there's a bit of a mystery to them.

The company only existed under the Stromberg Voisinet title for about 11 years, and it's general manager - Henry "Kay" Kuhrmeyer - bought the company and changed its name to Kay in 1931. In the face of post depression-era markets, Kay also wisely changed the firm's design and production philosophy, and produced larger numbers of cheaper instruments. This was highly successful for Kay, but it meant that the gems they produced - like Keychord tenor and parlor guitars, as well as their fancy little banjo ukuleles - disappeared and became collectors' items.

On top of all this - there seems to be NO catalog of produced instruments, so all information on Stromberg Voisinet and the instruments they produced comes from lore that's passed from player to player, from collector to collector. That, and just looking at all of the instruments one can.

And so, taking that empirical approach, I'm going to post the information I've got on Stromberg Voisinet banjo ukulele, with any background that I can find. I may also post a few songs or videos, just so it isn't all poor archeology work. ;)

Cheers