Wendell Hall (Ludwig) Professional Banjolele 1920's Natural Banjo Uke RARE! HTF!

Description

Wendell Hall (Ludwig) Professional Banjolele 1920's Natural Banjo Uke RARE! HTF!.
This is an example of the prewar ukulele-banjo style and brand that is considered by most players one the best designed and one of the finest sounding of all resonator-back examples.    The Wendell Hall banjo-uke made by the Ludwig drum company of Chicago has a mahogany resonator with full “dish” sides, which displays a line of colored wood marquetry 2/3rds of the way up from the crème ivoroid back edge binding.  It has a 16-fret stained pearwood fingerboard with four mother of pearl dotmarker inlays, plastic and wood "machine" tuners with black buttons, a yellow decal on the headstock stating the model. It retains its flat original armrest, a right-angle tailpiece and 16 "top tension" style brackets, as well as a metal flange with 15 oblong, uniform cut-outs.
The scale length is slightly less than 14".
Cosmetically, this cute banjo uke has some wear. The headstock has a piece missing from the ebony overlay. The tuners have been replaced with easier to use guitar style tuners.  There are divots on the first few frets caused by many hours of playing pleasure. The bridge is not original.
The back has scratches, but nothing indicative of abuse. The neck has aged to more of a satin feel, but there are still patches a lacquer left on it.
The heel cap had fallen off, so we fashioned a nice-looking Rosewood replacement.
The action is nice and low, and the volume is tremendous. This little guy really barks and can definitely be heard at the back of the room. The divots do not affect the playability, and this one plays great. Not too much wear on the frets.
The original armrest is intact and helps complete the look. This is a rare piece.
It comes with the original chipboard case which is definitely on its last legs.