Can You Take Off Ukulele Strings and Then Put Them Back on Again

Mya-Moe Beansprout Banjo Ukulele!

A little belatedly but never likewise late for this ane........

THE MYA-MOE BEANSPROUT BANJO UKULELE:

I wish that I had known about this comparing when it was posted. This is a truly valuable

test because you can hear four lovely banjo ukes made from distinctly different woods. The

results are challenging to say the to the lowest degree. I can't resist commenting on the quality of the audio

of each of them, the intonation and the sustain. I have to admit, even my very best banjo ukes

do not accept these qualities. Aaron'south instruments take a truly melodic capability as well as

strumming and picking. In brusk, I recollect it's time I purchase one for my own use. At the end of each

test he plays the harmonics at the twelfth fret and that is something I accept never heard any banjo uke

pull off with such sustain and clarity. I might ask him to brand a flat resonator back when I order

i (if he would even consider such a thing.). I like them on a banjo uke to reverberate the sound outward and not directly into your clothing. I will acknowledge though, these don't seem to endure for lack of book.

I published an e-mail interview with Aaron several years ago on this blog and picked his brain a picayune

bit nearly his instruments.Bravo Aaron!!!

Clive Stanton Remembered

A tribute to Banjo Ukulele Enthusiast Clive Stanton

Concluding September, a true friend of the banjo ukulele passed away.  Clive was an avid collector and role player, and had some truly innovative solutions to many of the problems nosotros banjo uke players face.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and nosotros wrote many many emails through the iii years I knew him.  Clive is survived by his wife Fay and children Liz, Bonny and Ben.

Clive with his wife Fay and below his wonderful banjo uke collection

With his daughter Liz.
Clive was born in Lester England and was raised in Canada after the historic period of 3.  He moved to New Zealand at age 20 and remained in that location until 1989 when he moved back to Vancouver.   He learned many trades during his life and settled on being a  longshoreman in the Vancouver expanse.  He told me of his early days as a fellow where he had learned the lost skill of metal spinning, which is the method that many of the original banjos were coated with a thin sheet of plated metal.
Clive had many wonderful suggestions to me through the years, but the two that stand out involved replacing a banjo skin that has been removed, cleaned and soaked up to be put back on a banjo.  Normally this is just almost an impossible task, just his idea of placing the skin on a towel, putting the flesh hoop over the pare in place, then putting the tension ring over both of those, and tucking the skin up under the tension ring before carrying the whole assembly to the rim, and placing it on already "tucked".  This allows you to finesse a used, but good quality peel back on an instrument after cleaning and works similar a charm!!
Next, but no less clever, is his method for replacing the flat resonator on Gibson banjo ukes (ub1,ub2 &ub3).  His solution is to place toothpicks in each screw hole for the reso screws, then put the fiddling spacer bushings over the toothpicks.  In one case they are all in place you lot tin fit the resonator down over the toothpicks and pull 1 toothpick at a time out, earlier replacing the screw.  I mentioned this a few years agone in my web log equally the "Stanton" maneuver.   Works like a charm and you lot never have the bushings falling downwards into the pot, or worse yet on the floor.  (also call back, if your spiral holes are stripped , just break off the tip of i of those toothpicks and put it down into the pigsty forth side the screw and it will tighten up perfectly and the spiral will never fall out again!)
Clive'due south wife and daughter survived him and were kind enough to send a film of him for the blog.
Strum abroad Clive, we will miss you!!

B.U.A.S.Banjo Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome:  A disorder,obsession, fanaticism involving the helpless

effort to own just one banjo ukulele.  There is no known cure, and this syndrome has been known to break up perfect relationships, marriages, cause financial collapse, eviction from rental backdrop and create a general anarchy in the lives of those who choose to play the banjo ukulele.There is likewise no known prevention of this disorder as information technology seems to strike individuals with no prior or similar obsessions and oft becomes an illness before the very first banjo ukulele has been purchased.

                                          I wish you all the all-time of luck with this.

   Banjo Ukulele

(bnj)  (y one thousand-fifty l, one thousand -l l )  or:    (ban joe  (y)ewk uh lay lee)

noun/: a small-scale 4 stringed banjo tuned like a ukulele.  Also called: Banjolele, Banjo Uke, Uke banjo,  Ukulele Banjo and "What on globe is that?"

Most banjo ukuleles are under 24" long and have a bore of vi,7 and eight".  At that place are

exceptions and they may be found with larger diameters (usually no more than 12").  Most often they are no more than 8" in diameter.  (because that's what sounds the best).

  They may be constitute with an "open back" or "closed back", with apartment or flanged resonators that amplify and direct the audio outward or forrard.  These resonators can also give the banjo ukulele a unique character , make them louder or but await great and accept no effect on the tone any.  They may likewise be found with "port hole" vents on the side of the body in the closed dorsum style.

  The banjo ukulele is often used as a strumming musical instrument rather than melodic or "chord with melody" mode of playing.  They were originally designed every bit an endeavor to

produce a louder ukulele that could project over larger ensembles or in establishments where singers and performers were trying to be heard over the din of sober and drunken patrons.  (this demand proceeded harsh sounding electronic public accost systems)

  Oftentimes viewed as a novelty instrument the banjo ukulele seemed to have been popular

among fraternities and sororities for "sitting around and singing"  between serious studies and the hazing.  Banjo ukes from these circumstances can often be found with a variety of signatures, dates, lists of girlfriends,bar names and a variety of other information that might or might non be interesting to the collector.

  The banjo ukulele was the instrument of choice for the British film star George Formby, who wrote and sang over 200 songs.  He developed a unique virtuosic mode that included fancy strumming styles similar: fan strokes, split up strokes and "tapping".  His songs were often considered "racey" during his era and a few were banned from the BBC radio network for sexual innuendos.  (this author is grateful for his bravery and freedom of expression).   He starred in over 20 films and can easily be considered the well-nigh pop performer in his era.  Near every one his songs included a solo "pause" that included flourishes, embellishments and impressive instrumental techniques that would show off his amazing skill as a banjo ukulele player.  These solo breaks were a forerunner to the guitar solos in pop music from the 50s,60s and well........up to now.

  Formby's style remains hugely popular in Great Britain and there is a George Formby Guild with capacity in several towns across England.  At that place are regular meetings and membership in the society is at an all time high.  Each year the guild meets in Blackpool and performers of all ages perform to enthusiastic audiences.  Members of the Formby Lodge are avid collectors of banjo ukuleles and often trade and sale them at these meetings, and participants tin can learn Formby'due south stylistic  techniques in course and private tutoring sessions.  Often, guest performers are invited to perform every bit well.

The temper of the Social club seems to be relaxed and any caste of skill as a player or vocalizer is welcomed  enthusiastically by it's dedicated audiences.

  There is a resurgence in popularity of the banjo ukulele and many companies are producing instruments to keep up with the need.  This web log has focused mainly upon the vintage instruments and oddities but volition likewise feature reviews of electric current manufactured and custom congenital banjo ukuleles.

The tiny but fantabulous "Bell Brand" tailpiece. These  tailpieces were standard issue on several banjo ukes including:  Avalons, Gretsch, and others.  Grooved for v strings, only no worry, merely use the outer four and you are in business.  Very easy to string because a single knot slips within the grooved area and leaves them tidy and without any string ends to scratch your arms and snag your tuxedo.  These were 1 1/xvi" wide and sat on the  tension ring for a nice force per unit area angle downward from the span.  This gives good contact for the bridge to the pare and provides resonance.

Several readers requested pictures of these tailpieces.  I see them from time to time on ebay and have bought a few for restoration jobs.  Another extinct hardware design from the past.  I know nothing of the Bong visitor and assume it was non continued to the telephone service.  Maybe it's another Edison invention!!

Great News well-nigh the Grover People!!
They asked me to send a sample tuner of the wonderful spring loaded way tuning peg common to and then many vintage Gibsons, Martins and other loftier end and mid range ukuleles and banjo ukuleles.  I'm hoping they reissue them and if so, to the exact specifications, colors and quality they had back in the day.  I am going to  furnish them with equally much imagery, and actual tuners that I can spare to aid them build a reissue.   Another Grover model, that was included on the Ludwig Wendell Halls, and some of the Stromberg Voisenet banjo ukes should also testify to be a viable reissue. (Run into below), larger style Grover for thicker pegheads.  These required larger holes and the butt section had no spring.  At that place was a knurled "teeth" for the connection to the button that rotates the whole mechanism for tuning.  Some other lovely Grover product!

My agenda on this is not self serving, I'm hoping to help  all of the ukulele companies, custom makers, restorers and owners of these great instruments accept access to the fine quality products Grover fabricated in the 20s and 30s.  Keep your fingers crossed!!
I want to inquire those of you that have planet fashion tuners on your Ludwig models, tin can y'all send a moving picture of
a tuner?  I have had several readers ask almost these and I have no examples for discussion  in a blog mail service.  I'yard wondering, are they smaller than a tenor banjo planet tuner?  Whatever information will be shared with the readers.  Cheers!

Past request the Grover "Ivoroid button":

A close up of the Ivoroid tuners used on the Gibson UB-4/5 models.  I've never seen these buttons that Grover supplied to Gibson on whatsoever other banjo ukulele.  They were  nitrocellulose "ivoroid" which was the constructed ivory invented in the 20s to replace real ivory.  It is neat looking cloth and I've seen it on many
guitars as binding and even on bassoons as the bong ring.

Please write me if yous have seen these on whatever other models of ukulele or banjo ukulele.

A plea to Grover!!!
Letter # 2 to the folks at Grover. (feel free to write Grover if you desire to support this plea)


Hi, This is my second alphabetic character to you about this topic.   I am the writer of the web log: The Banjo Ukulele Forum and I have about xiv,000 readers worldwide at the moment.

I am writing to urge you to reissue the all-time tuning peg ever produced for the Ukulele and Banjo Ukulele, the Grover Spring Loaded tuning pegs.  (please run across attached photos on various Gibson model banjo ukuleles)

I'm non certain y'all are aware of the fact that the hottest selling instrument in the world right now is none other than the Ukulele.  The need for an splendid serious tuning peg is higher now than ever on this planet.  Your tuner was famous in information technology'due south day and I have paid over $100 for a set of them several times to supercede lesser quality tuning pegs on my restoration jobs.

It would seem featherbrained to me, and my readers that you might feel there is "too" small of market for these wonderful tuners equally indicated by your last response to me.  The custom ukulele market place, corporate ukulele market and vintage market (ie resales) and restoration marketplace would insure you lot a windfall of sales of these classic tuners.

I would urge you again to retrieve nigh this and if had the capital to invest for you lot I would do it myself.   I would hope that you could put them out with the verbal dimensions and nitrocellulose buttons in the iii colors you lot originally offered them.  (ivory white, black and ivoroid (for the high end Gibson UB-4/5 banjo ukulele).

Martin, Gibson, Gretsch are just of few of the high profile companies that supplied their instruments with your tuning pegs and there is nil anywhere in the world currently made that can come close to the elegance and efficiency that your leap loaded tuners had.

I hope you lot take this letter seriously, not merely for us, the players and you the producers because nosotros will both profit from this reissue.

very sincerely,

Steve Roberts

Gibson UB-4 Sold
The Gibson Ub-4 which is the last design in the Gibson line of banjo ukueles.  This is the nickel plated version and several years later Gibson produced this model they began to refer to the aureate plated version every bit the UB-v.  These are a scrap longer scale than the ub-3 and were equipped with a Walnut bulge diamond flanged resonator.  Other differences from the other Gibsons are the fancier fret marking inlays (mother of pearl), fret board side binding (white blackness white) and matching bounden on the edge of the resonator.  Headstock has inlayed "The Gibson" and a floral inlay below it. (likewise mother of pearl).   Tuners are the Ivoroid version of the Grover Spring loaded style.  Original hardware throughout and includes the rare "Presto Platonic" that flips open for changing the strings.  The reso has the original chalk series number which is also stamped into the rim  8818-two.
Terminate is excellent within and out, at that place are no splits or deep scratches.  Shows very very small wear in terms of slightly boring finish hither and there, and very pocket-size surface scratches.

I am the second possessor of this UB-4 and bought it from an elderly gentleman that said he recieved information technology as a souvenir in 1930.  He was five! at the time.  His son told me that it was kept in a closet all these years in a very large firm and when I purchased it the original gut strings were in place.  I replaced them with Aquila Gut strings and it sounds slap-up.  Gut breaks on it's own and is more susceptible to fraying simply it has a unique sound that is credible in the strumming because the strings are nowhere virtually equally smoothen as nylon.  There are more pictures on this blog of this verbal Gibson under:  http://banjoukuleleforum.blogspot.com/2011_01_23_archive.html
I have seen no more than than 3 for sale in the U.S. and a few in the U.G. over a three year period. They are rare and excellent by any standard with a deep banjoey tone that works melodically or as a strummer. To give a comparing the F model Gibson mandolins which are for sale constantly on Ebay for $4000-12,000 were also made in Kalamazoo with the aforementioned woods, finish and intendance.
I'm non the least scrap embarrassed to ask $5000 for this 1.  It is completely original and has suffered no abuse past the original and current owner.  My conservative judge is that these will command every bit much as the Gibson mandolins within 5 years.

Please write me if you are interested in this 1.

Gibson UB-two SOLD
This is the UB-2 that is featured in this blog on Jan 28th 2011.  Information technology is an excellent banjo ukulele and has been my regular player for two years.  It has a lovely robust sound and excellent scale.  It has a curious stop, being a sort of 2 tone that is very deep walnut everywhere but the face of the peghead and resonator.  What actually matters is that information technology sounds so skilful and is in excellent condition.  In that location is minor vesture on the fret lath on the start fret, merely it has no buzzes all the way upwardly the fret board.  Enough talk though, take a wait at this!

I have both the Ub-3 and Ub-2 and in that location is no difference in tone or quality betwixt the two.  The UB-three is but more ornate and ofttimes has a sunburst stop.  Both models are powerhouse banjo ukes with great projection and color.   It has the original Gibson skin, and all of the hardware is original except the hooks which were mismatched when I bought it.  I reglued the veneer on the inside of the rim 2 years ago and it is holding up perfectly.  The bridge is one of mine and designed just for this banjo uke.  Information technology has a ready of John Alvie

Turner strings on information technology that are about a year old and I would leave them on because they sound rich and total to this day.

I have PayPal as payment and ship anywhere that the USPS volition evangelize.  Tracking and insurance included.

Cost:  $950 including padded nylon carrying purse.

Baby Gibson UB-1 for Sold.   Immaculate restoration in terms of finish, colour and playability.  This, as you can see by the photos, is a gorgeous example of a fine banjo ukulele.  It has the sound that I mentioned on the very start UB-i blog and this one is truly something to await at and hear.   I will put on a new set of Aquilla Nylgut strings before the instrument is shipped also.

This is probably a bit later in terms of production since information technology has the bone nut.  The dots are existent mother of pearl and these happen to exist very nicely colored.   I put a lower action bridge on this 1 and played it without irresolute anything else.  It could use some polishing on the hooks to burnish them upward and that is just about it.  Shipping anywhere in the world but please realize that the import duty for many countries is as much as 20%.  Also please notation that international shipping can take several weeks for delivery.  Instrument will be bubble wrapped and surrounded by styrofoam peanuts inside a sturdy box.  I insure to anywhere in the U.Due south. and to whatsoever foreign state that the united statesp.southward. offers.

Tracking number and delivery confirmation will exist added on at no actress charge.

I take PayPal only and there is no accuse for local choice upwards.

Toll $645.00

More great players/singers:

This i past "Dan", who is sporting a formidable Ahab bristles and kazoo singing Georgia Brown introduces a great mix of Formby and traditional Dixie stylings into his solo break.  I found many other great videos in his uploads too.

Corking playing Dan!

Adjacent, another favorite of mine, Ben Mealer, who has a dainty looking Stromberg Voisinet banjo uke and  wonderful Italian Greyhound:

Ben does a great task on many of my old 20s 30s favorites.  Gus Kahn etc.  Cheque out "Gypsy in my soul" also and his Jack Pepper cover.

Ub 4/five Resonator Thumb Screw Replicas

I am offering these equally a custom replica that I machine on my small-scale metal lathe.  They are $22 each or 2 for $40.   Solid Steel with nickel plating.   They are very fourth dimension consuming to brand and I make them to the exact dimensions of the original Gibson parts.   I couldn't find an exact duplicate anywhere when looking for these.

The ones pictures have not been polished or plated yet.   I can leave them unplated for UB5 owners.

I take paypal :  stevebobs@hotmail.com    please add $two for shipping

Let 1 week for commitment.

John Bianchi'south wonderful web log nearly Banjo Ukes:

http://theukaholic.blogspot.com/

John has a lot of videos playing and singing up on YouTube and his weblog is very informative.  Many keen photos and in depth information nigh makers/distributors.    Cheque it out!

By Request:   Formby's "Alexander'southward Ragtime Ring"   a  video .   Chords are in the description (tuning to the video will be needed to strum along)   In one case again Mr. Formby takes a lovely solo break full of shakes, splits, syncopations and the usual effortless virtuosity.

  I hope to exist loading more than videos of the  more obscure songs with chords.  I started with sharp photos of my Stromberg Voisinet but the windows pic maker pixelates them into a painful focus.  Sad!

Chords:Chords:


 Grand|G|A7 D7| G G7| C x four|G ten 4| A7 10 2| D| D7| K 10 2| A7 D7 |G G7|C x4| Grand|G7|C| C# o | G|D7|A7 D7| 1000

Mya-Moe Beansprout Banjo ukulele released:

This new design sounds Groovy!!  I like the colors offered and the new changes.  Bravo!  I can't wait to give i of these a attempt.  Curved frets, various neck widths, Black, Cherry-red and Amber finishes, brass or plated tension rings.  I love the audio on the video.   Serious quality Aaron!!

Another Day, Another Brit!
Richard Stubbs:

What a human wears in the privacy of his youtube garden is his ain business!!  I promise his neighbors appreciate his "raw" talent though..........  A wonderful thespian, singer and he plays on great looking
Banjoleles:  An Abbott, Keech and Dallas.   I hope to post information on his CD presently.

some more bully songs (with shirt):
http://www.youtube.com/sentinel?v=BfAsKqm-aq4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuDB_guOGlA
http://world wide web.youtube.com/watch?5=zgqWWjWUdgU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?5=zgqWWjWUdgU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

I could sentinel him all twenty-four hours.

David Barlia,

New Orleans by Hoagy Carmichael.

This video contains the rarely played centre section which was originally the Poesy in the sheet music.

I shot this with my old phone out in my garage with a bully friend and Uke player David Barlia.  David is 1 of those rare musicians that can most ofttimes just play and figure out an old vocal if you just manus him a ukulele and insist on it.  If he was a pianist he would aptly be called a "piano human".      If I had to consider anyone a teacher information technology would exist David, who handed me a Red Maholo and taught me the chords to Five Foot 2.  Check out his websites: http://barliesque.com/primary.html  & http://studio.barliesque.com/

David is a Flash developer, video game designer, learning slide Hawaiian guitar, chef  and an agile freelance ukulele/vocalist.

Just to mention a few of his many talents.

valleyresmord79.blogspot.com

Source: https://banjoukuleleforum.blogspot.com/

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