The ultimate banjo uke

[PTOEguy]

So I've been dabbling in banjo ukes for a while - I had a Firefly, then a Deering and now a Gold Tone Little Gem.

I like to play 1920s jazz/dixieland/ragtime style and I'm starting to think that I'd like to get the ultimate banjo uke. The one I hang onto and play forever. In part this was driven by trying out some different four-string banjos and actually purchasing a 1920s Bacon and Day Silver Bell plectrum banjo. The Bacon and Day is a serious instrument with a focus and power that leads me to believe I'd like to try out a banjo uke with a tone ring and resonator.

Does anyone have an observations regarding high-end banjo ukes? I'm looking at the Gold Tone Delux, all kinds of 1920s banjo ukes with resonators, and I'm intrigued by the Spanky banjo ukes I've seen.

 

[Kenn2018]

Are you looking at steel strung banjo ukes? Or the more common Nylon, Fluoro, Synthetic strung models?

While I like my Deering Goodtime Tenor, it doesn't have the same tone/timbre or volume as a banjo with steel strings.

 

[PTOEguy]

Are you looking at steel strung banjo ukes? Or the more common Nylon, Fluoro, Synthetic strung models?

While I like my Deering Goodtime Tenor, it doesn't have the same tone/timbre or volume as a banjo with steel strings.

I'm looking at nylagut/flourocarbon strung banjo ukes. Although I've been thinking about taking my plectrum banjo, using chicago tuning (same as baritone uke tuning - DGBE) and putting a capo on the 5th fret. Should sound pretty good, but there is a certain lack of portability when you start with a standard banjo neck on a 12-14 lb. banjo...

I'm looking for something with an old-time jazz/dixieland feel, kind of shading towards George Formby - most Formby folks use vintage banjo ukes with a resonator and probably a tone ring - should be a much more focused sound than the Deering.

 

[anngrante]

Just got a Gold Tone banjo ukulele (baritone) and would like some advice about possible improvements to the sound and setup. I like it. Here you can find more options https://primesound.org/best-banjo-ukulele/ . Good luck

 

[Nickie]

I think the ultimate in banjoukes are the vintage Gibsons and the Southern Cross, which are no longer built. I use a Gold Tone concert scale, it's unremarkable, but it was cheap, and does the job. I haven't tried it with an amp yet.

anngrante,​

as far as your setup, make sure the bridge is positioned correctly, and that the head adjusting screws aren't loose. i would suggest restringing the lo D string to a high d, you'll like the sound better, I think.
If it doesn't have an armrest, you'll want one. I bit the bullet and spent 55.00 for one and put it on.

 

[EDW]

Corey Mohan has a relatively rare Dayton banjo uke for sale over at Fleamarket Music’s ads. It looks and sounds great.

 

[G Hill]

I play George Formby style and my daily player is a 1927 Ludwig Wendell Hall, a great uke. Other suggestions are Ludwig Crown,Gibson (UB2 or 3), and Monarch Abbot in the vintage range, and Cartwright for modern day copies of the aforementioned vintage ukes. You´ll find many great banjo ukes for sale on Andy Eastwoods website. Also, you´ll want to use nylon strings and not flurocarbon on these ukes for the sound you are looking for.
Cheers
Gary

 

[DownUpDave]

I am surprised no one has mentioned Beansprout Instruments. Arron Klein is a custom builder who started off making banjo ukes, then moved to Mya Moe and when they sold off their business he started his own custom built ukulele business. He is a great player, teacher, musician and builder of high quality instruments

 

[Kenn2018]

I've heard great things about "The Gibson" UB-2 ukulele-banjo. One of those legendary instruments that may or may not live up to the hype.

 

[EDW]

In the category of another thread-“somebody please buy this”, I recently saw this one.
I have not ventured to the banjo uke, but this is a nicely built vintage one.

Weymann Model 225 Banjo-ukulele 1922-1923 Maple Natural | Reverb

I obtained this at an estate sale of a guitar collector. It and the case appear to me to be in excellent condition, especially considering this is 100 years old!I am a guitar player/collector, not a banjo Ukulele collector. I learned about Weymann guitars a few years ago, thus could not pass...

reverb.com

I will admit, it is tempting

 

[chris667]

I have played one Gibson that I really loved.

It's hard to tell though. You never know what a banjo uke sounds like until you replace the vellum. I may have already played the ultimate banjo uke and thought it sounded awful.

 

[mountain goat]

hands down the very best sounding (and looking) banjo ukuleles
are built by Aaron Keim

https://www.thebeansprout.com/