VINTAGE 1924 GIBSON UB TRAPDOOR BANJO UKULELE!
Rare. Produced for less than two years!Amazing shape, not a scratch or ding on it. Serial number 8025-40. This is a time capsule, looks like brand new. Plays and sounds great, can be used with mandolin strings or ukulele strings. Currently strung with uke strings. One small tear on the skin, does not seem to effect sound but it could be easily replaced or repaired. All original! Plays easily with pure vintage tone, no buzz whatsoever and it\'s intonation is spot on. Comes with original hardshell case. Case has some wear and tear on the outside and is a little frayed on the inside lining. Year confirmed by model and serial. Very rare little find!

Ukulele Banjos - Joyous and Practical. Glorious good times … social popularity … fun a\'plenty … what more could one ask .… even from a genuine Gibson Ukulele-Banjo?\"

So reads the enticing headline in a Gibson banjo catalog from the late 1920s, and it certainly speaks to the times. The ad goes on to say, \"But, there is more… these instruments are so accurate… so sweet in tonal quality… so great in volume that they offer money-making opportunities in vaudeville, radio and recording for those whose desires turn in this direction.\" It ends by pointing out that they are \"Endowed with the same attributes which have made famous the Gibson Mastertone and Custom-Built Banjos.\"

Gibson hardly needs an introduction to anyone even casually interested in musical instruments. Founded by Orville Gibson in 1896 the company, which was located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, grew to become a household word. However, they didn\'t start manufacturing banjos until 1918, and it wasn\'t until 1924 that they introduced their banjo ukulele.

That first Gibson banjo uke - designated UB -- was a \"trapdoor\" model. It had a 9\" head, and was made of maple with a natural finish. The back was hinged, so it could be opened to project the sound out. During this time the regular Gibson banjos were also of the \"trapdoor\" design. Although there are two varieties, differing primarily in the shape of the peghead, the \"trapdoor\" model was only produced for a short period of time; probably less than two years