Gretsch No. 56 Solo Banjo Ukulele , c. 1935
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Gretsch No. 56 Solo Model Banjo Ukulele, c. 1935, made in Chicago, natural finish, walnut neck and resonator, ebonized fingerboard, original black chipboard case.
This early "Gretsch American" Banjo ukulele is a cool representative of the Brooklyn company's first serious self-branded line, which arrived in the early 1930s. It wouldn't be until the early '50's that Gretsch really got into instrument manufacturing in a majorly successful way, but this 1930's line was a solid first step. This well-made banjo ukulele is a solidly professional grade instrument, created perhaps a little past the heyday of the banjo uke (which was more around 1927) but a quality instrument nonetheless.
The instrument is made largely of American walnut with ivoroid bound resonator edges, built on an 8" rim. The neck is laminated walnut with a banjo-style volute on the back and topped by an ebonized fingerboard inlaid with small slotted diamond pearl inlay. The headstock has fancier shaped abalone inlay on the face and straight-shaft banjo tuners with ivoroid buttons. The "Gretsch American" logo is stamped on the back of the headstock. The heavy hoop, hooks and nuts and the simple box tailpiece are typical of the period. This instrument listed at $25 in 1935; it is a nicely made and appointed instrument for the time, a good sounding, very playable period banjo ukulele and really neat piece of Gretsch (and Brooklyn) history.
Overall length is 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm.), 8 in. (20.3 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
This 90 year old piece remains very solid and all original including a period (likely original) Rogers skin head and Grover Non-Tip bridge. It shows some light wear overall (mostly to the resonator back) and a bit of dirt on the head, but for its age remains relatively clean. This is a fun piece that can be quite loud if needed; a very well-made, excellent-sounding and playing banjo-uke still in the functional original chipboard case. Excellent - Condition.
This early "Gretsch American" Banjo ukulele is a cool representative of the Brooklyn company's first serious self-branded line, which arrived in the early 1930s. It wouldn't be until the early '50's that Gretsch really got into instrument manufacturing in a majorly successful way, but this 1930's line was a solid first step. This well-made banjo ukulele is a solidly professional grade instrument, created perhaps a little past the heyday of the banjo uke (which was more around 1927) but a quality instrument nonetheless.
The instrument is made largely of American walnut with ivoroid bound resonator edges, built on an 8" rim. The neck is laminated walnut with a banjo-style volute on the back and topped by an ebonized fingerboard inlaid with small slotted diamond pearl inlay. The headstock has fancier shaped abalone inlay on the face and straight-shaft banjo tuners with ivoroid buttons. The "Gretsch American" logo is stamped on the back of the headstock. The heavy hoop, hooks and nuts and the simple box tailpiece are typical of the period. This instrument listed at $25 in 1935; it is a nicely made and appointed instrument for the time, a good sounding, very playable period banjo ukulele and really neat piece of Gretsch (and Brooklyn) history.
Overall length is 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm.), 8 in. (20.3 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
This 90 year old piece remains very solid and all original including a period (likely original) Rogers skin head and Grover Non-Tip bridge. It shows some light wear overall (mostly to the resonator back) and a bit of dirt on the head, but for its age remains relatively clean. This is a fun piece that can be quite loud if needed; a very well-made, excellent-sounding and playing banjo-uke still in the functional original chipboard case. Excellent - Condition.