Resonator banjo-ukulele
Alternate name(s)
- Resonator banjulele
- Resonator banjo uke
- Resonator ukulele-banjo
- Resonator banjolele
Date1922-1930 ca.
Place MadeBrooklyn, New York, United States, North America
ModelClarophone No. 43
Serial No.none
SignedBlack-and-gold decal on peghead, in cursive text: ClarophoneMarkingsNone
DescriptionThe Gretsch Clarophone No. 43 appears in an ad in the Music Trade Review on 7/1/1922
Neck: maple
Peghead: maple
Fingerboard: none – integral neck; 17 brass T-frets; single mother-of-pearl dots inlaid behind 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th frets
Heel cap: none
Head: calf-skin
Tone ring: none/not visible
Rim: maple, eight black-painted wood bound holes around skirt to emit sound
Bracket hooks: 10 nickel-plated steel
Shoes: 10 nickel-plated brass
Tension hoop: nickel-plated brass
Armrest: none
Resonator: solid maple back glued to rim
Dowel stick: maple
Nut: black-stained hardwoood
Tuners: 4 nickel-plated brass tension tuners with ivory-plastic heads [one missing entirely, two missing ivory-plastic heads]
Tailpiece: nickel-plated brass
Finish: clear lacquer
DimensionsTotal instrument length: 515 mm (20-9/32”)
Vibrating string length: 337 mm (13-9/32”) [approx. – estimated from lines drawn on calf-skin head indicating bridge placement]
Fingerboard length: 221 mm (8-11/16”)
Fingerboard width at nut: 35 mm (1-3/8”)
Fingerboard width at body: 48 mm (1-7/8”)
Head diameter [calf-skin head]: 177 mm (6-31/32”)
Back diameter: 177 mm (6-31/32”)
Rim depth: 62 mm (2-7/16”)
Credit LineArne B. Larson Estate
Object number10222
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