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Soprano ukulele
Maker: Harmony Company
Trade Name: Supertone (trade name of Sears, Roebuck & Co.)
Distributor: Sears, Roebuck & Co. (distributor)
Date: 1920-1930 ca.
Place Made:Chicago, Illinois, United States, North America
Model: Supertone Ukulele Style No. 456
Serial No: none
SignedPrinted on paper label with single line border, the style number stamped in purple ink: SUPERTONE [lettering over five-line staff] / UKULELE / Style No. 456 / Guaranteed for One Year Against / Defect in Workmanship and / Material.
MarkingsPencil line on inside of top marking longitudinal center position
DescriptionStringing: four gut strings
Soundboard: one-piece mahogany with slight, narrow curl
Back: one-piece mahogany with slight, narrow curl
Sides: two-piece mahogany with narrow curl
Head: mahogany; shield-shaped
Neck: mahogany; integral with head; heel sides concave
Heel cap: none
Binding: alternating, angled pieces of mahogany and birch on top, surrounded on inside edge of top
Fretboard: integral with neck; 12 brass frets
Nut: dark hardwood
Bridge: mahogany; integral saddle
Tuners: one beech with decoratively turned ring on shaft
Rosette: alternating, angled pieces of mahogany and birch, surrounded on each side by birch strips; birch strip rings on either side of center band, set in from soundhole edge
Finish: dark brown; later shellac finish over original
Linings: birch kerfed on inside
Neck block: mahogany with slightly beveled edges
End block: mahogany with slightly beveled edges
Top braces: spruce with tapered ends above sound hole; light wood brace with low height below soundhole; light wood brace with tapered ends in lower bout
Back braces: one light wood brace in lower bout, now missing
Soundboard: one-piece mahogany with slight, narrow curl
Back: one-piece mahogany with slight, narrow curl
Sides: two-piece mahogany with narrow curl
Head: mahogany; shield-shaped
Neck: mahogany; integral with head; heel sides concave
Heel cap: none
Binding: alternating, angled pieces of mahogany and birch on top, surrounded on inside edge of top
Fretboard: integral with neck; 12 brass frets
Nut: dark hardwood
Bridge: mahogany; integral saddle
Tuners: one beech with decoratively turned ring on shaft
Rosette: alternating, angled pieces of mahogany and birch, surrounded on each side by birch strips; birch strip rings on either side of center band, set in from soundhole edge
Finish: dark brown; later shellac finish over original
Linings: birch kerfed on inside
Neck block: mahogany with slightly beveled edges
End block: mahogany with slightly beveled edges
Top braces: spruce with tapered ends above sound hole; light wood brace with low height below soundhole; light wood brace with tapered ends in lower bout
Back braces: one light wood brace in lower bout, now missing
DimensionsTotal ukulele length: 522 mm (20-15/16″)
Back length: 234 mm (9-9/32″)
Upper bout width: 122 mm (4-19/32″)
Waist width: 88 mm (3-1/2″)
Lower bout width: 151 mm (6″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 49 mm (1-15/16″)
Rib height, at waist: 56 mm (2-1/8″)
Rib height, at end block: 57 mm (2-1/4″)
Head length: 128 mm (5-1/8″)
Head width, top: 53 mm (2-13/32″)
Head width, bottom: 45 mm (2″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 163 mm (6-9/16″)
Neck width, nut: 34 mm (1-11/32″)
Neck width, heel: 45 mm (1-27/32″)
Soundhole diameter: 43 mm (1-27/32″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 326 mm (13-1/16″)
Back length: 234 mm (9-9/32″)
Upper bout width: 122 mm (4-19/32″)
Waist width: 88 mm (3-1/2″)
Lower bout width: 151 mm (6″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 49 mm (1-15/16″)
Rib height, at waist: 56 mm (2-1/8″)
Rib height, at end block: 57 mm (2-1/4″)
Head length: 128 mm (5-1/8″)
Head width, top: 53 mm (2-13/32″)
Head width, bottom: 45 mm (2″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 163 mm (6-9/16″)
Neck width, nut: 34 mm (1-11/32″)
Neck width, heel: 45 mm (1-27/32″)
Soundhole diameter: 43 mm (1-27/32″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 326 mm (13-1/16″)
Terms
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Estate
Not on view
Object number: 14141