Vintage 1920s–30s Banjo Ukulele / Banjolele – Prewar Chicago Made – Grover Pat. Tailpiece – Original Skin Head - COOL!

Vintage 1920s–30s Banjo Ukulele / Banjolele – Prewar Chicago Made – Grover Pat. Tailpiece – Original Skin Head

Up for sale is a very cool and very original prewar banjo ukulele dating roughly from the late 1920s to early 1930s. Based on the construction and styling, this appears to be a Chicago-made instrument, likely built by Regal or a related maker during the Jazz Age banjo uke boom.

This instrument has a fantastic understated Art Deco look with:

• dark ebonized finish
• geometric marquetry rings on the resonator
• small diamond peghead inlay
• original Grover Pat. tailpiece
• original friction tuners
• original skin head

It has the dry, authentic old-time appearance that only comes from a genuinely old instrument that was actually played and used over many decades.

The instrument appears remarkably complete and largely untouched:

• original resonator
• original hardware
• original tension hoop and hooks
• original dowel stick construction
• original-style tuners
• skin head still intact

No maker markings were found inside the pot or on the dowel stick, which is common for catalog and house-brand Chicago instruments from this era.

Condition:
This is being sold in uncleaned, as-found condition. I have intentionally not polished, refinished, or heavily cleaned the instrument so the next owner can decide how far they want to take the restoration/setup process themselves. Please note that there is no bridge for this instrument and no case.

There is normal cosmetic wear throughout including:

• scratches
• finish wear
• age checking
• oxidation/patina to hardware
• general signs of honest age and use (back of neck)

Please review all photos carefully.

The neck appears reasonably straight from sighting. The skin head remains mounted and usable. One string is missing and the instrument will need restringing and setup for regular playing use.

I may pull this listing after about a week if there is limited interest and then have the instrument professionally cleaned and set up. For now I wanted to offer it in original untouched condition for collectors or players who prefer to handle setup and preservation work themselves.

A very attractive and authentic Jazz Age banjolele with great visual character and strong period styling.