Advanced Search
Ukelin
Alternate name:Fretless zither
Alternate name:Chord zither
Alternate name:Zither, bowed melody strings, chord, guitar-shaped body
Alternate name:Violin zither
Alternate name:Bowed zither
Maker: Oscar Schmidt Company
Maker: Manufacturers Advertising Co. (distributor associated with Oscar Schmidt Company)
Date: 1950
Place Made:Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, North America
Model: none
Serial No: 5033 (batch number)
SignedDecal inside both soundholes; gold print on black background: PRICE $40.00 / UKELIN / Distributed Exclusively by the / Manufacturers / Advertising Co. / 93 Ferry Street / Jersey City, N. J.
MarkingsBatch Number 5033 stamped into back
Decal around small soundhole, black on yellow background.
Decal around large soundhole, red and black on yellow background.
Decal around small soundhole, black on yellow background.
Decal around large soundhole, red and black on yellow background.
DescriptionAn American "numerical zither," which is played by bowing the melody strings and plucking the chord strings.
Made of wood, in the shape of a long lyre, with flat back, top, and sides.
Black stain on back and sides fades to honey-brown varnish towards middle of top. Metal tuning pins, hitch pins, and stud loops; plastic protective rings around holes for music holder.
Wooden guards over melody hitch pins are attached to sides.
Sixteen melody strings, which run at an angle to instrument top.
Sixteen chord strings in groups of four, which run parallel over the instrument top. Tuning pins for melody strings are on opposite end of top from those for chord strings. Melody decals and stud loops are attached directly to top of instrument.
melody decals: black on yellow chord decal: black on yellow
Made of wood, in the shape of a long lyre, with flat back, top, and sides.
Black stain on back and sides fades to honey-brown varnish towards middle of top. Metal tuning pins, hitch pins, and stud loops; plastic protective rings around holes for music holder.
Wooden guards over melody hitch pins are attached to sides.
Sixteen melody strings, which run at an angle to instrument top.
Sixteen chord strings in groups of four, which run parallel over the instrument top. Tuning pins for melody strings are on opposite end of top from those for chord strings. Melody decals and stud loops are attached directly to top of instrument.
melody decals: black on yellow chord decal: black on yellow
Dimensionsbody: 27 3/8 in. (69.6 cm.) x 7 1/4 in. (18.5 cm.) at widest point x 1 1/4 in. (3.3 cm.)
soundhole diameters: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) and 2 1/4 in. (5.8 cm.)
soundhole diameters: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) and 2 1/4 in. (5.8 cm.)
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Terms
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Not on view
Object number: 02717