1926 Gibson UB-5
FON 8498-44. Gibson's most ornate Ukulele-banjo, the UB-5 featured gold hardware, varied pearl fingerboard and headstock inlays, bound fingerboard, and a bound figured walnut resonator. This example has been well loved and well played; having spent time in the trenches of Europe during WWII before calling Southern Ontario home for the next seventy or so years. Despite its fairly heavily worn looks, the instrument plays perfectly and sounds truly remarkable. Its original skin head is in good working order, and this UB-5 has been very nicely set-up in out shop.
Completely original but for one nut and one washer inside the rim, frets are in excellent condition and play cleanly everywhere on the neck, tuners work perfectly, original nut has never been out and is adjusted well, neck angle is excellent. The side of the resonator is damaged, as shown in the photos provided, and two of the four resonator screws are missing. Thankfully, the instrument's flaws are all cosmetic, and it plays and sounds on par with a UB-5 priced much higher.
Completely original but for one nut and one washer inside the rim, frets are in excellent condition and play cleanly everywhere on the neck, tuners work perfectly, original nut has never been out and is adjusted well, neck angle is excellent. The side of the resonator is damaged, as shown in the photos provided, and two of the four resonator screws are missing. Thankfully, the instrument's flaws are all cosmetic, and it plays and sounds on par with a UB-5 priced much higher.