About:
The Gibson UB-1 (ukelele banjo) was offered from 1924 to 1938 in a light natural mahogany with a 6″ rim. It is a very basic but well built instrument that sounds and plays great (though the scale is very short and big fingers can trip on themselves on such a tight neck). It is surprisingly loud.
The one that I picked up is likely a pre 1930 based on a few features, but largely “The Gibson” painted script vs stenciled and just “Gibson” that started in 1930. The rim glue (hide glue that can crystalize and weaken) is known to fail on these and can split – likely from the stress riser in the screw holes that mount the resonator back. This one is in great shape with no cracks or splits and it appears this was the first time the back had ever come off (so I could clean the dust bunnies out of the shell).
The finish is also in great shape with only some minor surface checking from age. The hardware does have some oxidation, but it is surface level only. After cleaning it lightly (no abrasion), I applied my favorite wax.
I believe the bridge is the original solid maple block style. I added new nylgut strings and it tuned well with the original black buttoned spring loaded Grover tuners.
I am going to play with tunings and try the tuned up ADF#B for a bit since the scale length is so short (12.5″).
What I have Learned:
- 1918 Gibson starts making banjos and lists the TB (tenor banjo) as the first available.
- 1924 Gibson adds the UB (Ukulele Banjo) to their line, no style number yet, but is known as the trapdoor that had a hinged back that could be opened to increase the volume or to put a cloth inside to mute the banjo.
- 1925 UB style 1 with a 6″ rim was distinguished from the UB-2 and UB-3 with 8″ rims.
- 1927 UB models in styles -1 through -5 were available.
- 1938 the UB was available for the last time in style -1 only
- The UB-1 had an archtop rim (4 and 5 had a tone ring)
- The Gibson logo was painted gold in script “The Gibson” and was standard until 1930 (possibly through 1937). I have seen two different script styles – one appears to be a stencil vs what is on mine.
- Later models of the banjo uke line did just have “Gibson” written on them dating to later 1930’s era production.
- production quantities were high – these arent particularly rare today and can generally always be found for sale in various conditions.
- UB-1 neck just bolts on the rim with no dowel which makes it a bit unique in construction and possibly adds to the unique sound.
- The UB-1 was featured on the show “Pawn Stars” and given $1000 and then restored
- the UB-1 was $10 in 1929 which is about $175 today (US inflation calculator). Not sure if this
References:
https://www.siminoff.net/gibson
http://banjoukuleleforum.blogspot.com/
http://banjoukuleleforum.blogspot.com/2011_01_23_archive.html
http://ukulelerestorationbarn.blogspot.com/
https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/196123
https://www.georgeformby.co.uk/dennis_taylor/site/gibson.htm
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2014/07/c1930-gibson-ub-1-banjo-ukulele.html
Bridge Placement on the Banjo Ukulele
I have found that placing the bridge at the exact scale length can improve the intonation over the fret board. This method as opposed to tuning the octaves at the 12th fret will work even better for players that prefer a higher action since the strings stretch farther in the higher frets and will give a false octave that will sound well up in the high frets but not in the first position chords. Any firm piece of paper can be used to mark the far side distance of the 12th fret, and position the paper on that edge then move the bridge to where the pencil mark is on the inside of the bridge rail (not the feet of the bridge).