This is a unique handmade electro acoustic soprano scale banjolele from Darren at Buzzards Field Ukuleles.
This example has a sapele neck and headstock. The high quality fretboard is crafted from lacquered sapele and has an attractive grape-vine motif etched behind a set of low profile brass frets. At the nut, the width of the fretboard is 31mm.
It has black nylon strings installed with a high G at present - but can be easily switched to low G if required. The sapele oak and spruce saddle sits on a Remo Renaissance frame drum, which is permanently tuned and impervious to moisture and heat fluctuations, which can otherwise play havoc with natural goatskin. The tone of this drum is different from a traditional banjolele, which to many ears can be overly loud and shrill - especially when accompanying other ukuleles. When strummed or picked, this uke produces a bright, resonant but mellow timbre, without the tininess often associated with banjoleles. It sits very well in a mix when played in a ukulele group, for example. The back plate has been designed to be removed, which gives access to a piezo electric pickup, which is easily rotated into place beneath the saddle, if it is to be played through an amp / pa. A standard instrument jack output is fitted, as is an on-board volume control,
As a soprano scale instrument, the playable string is 350mm. Intonation is easily corrected by adjusting the floating bridge, for example when changing strings. Quality metal geared tuners are fitted, as is a strap point.
If required, a message can be etched into the back cover.
