Rochelle wanted, trade for unique uke?

[Shas Cho]

I'm convinced.

I'm having so much fun with my 20-button Stagi,

sticking buttons and all,

that I have to step up to a Rochelle.

The problem is that old story-tellers don't tend to accumulate much cash.

 

Several years ago I let a songwriter talk me into buying

one of the very last resophonic ukuleles

made by the highly respected Republic Guitars.

(you often see Recording King or National resophonic instruments for sale,

but it is unusual to see used Republics on offer.

Republic has long been the premier resophonic instrument maker.)

Actually, it might have been the very last one;

the guy at Republic wouldn't even talk to me

until I used my songwriter friend's name,

and it took four phone calls over a three week period

before he stated a firm price and agreed to ship it to me.

 

Anyway, these were offered in a plain brass body,

a polished nickel-plated body with engraving, and aged nickel.

I got the aged nickel, and I think it looks great.

Very authentic, very blues-ey.

If Muddy Waters played a ukulele it would be this one.

These things were made for the pre-amplified world of the 1920s

and they are loud!

They are also quite rare.

 

You can see and hear a Republic resophonic uke being played

and

 

These are excellent instruments and historically authentic,

though (being made in China) there are a few rough-edged screw heads

and a small area of rust on one of the steel-wrapped strings.

This eye-catching uke would be a busker's delight.

The couple of times I took it out in public

people heard it from a long way off,

and between the unusual sound and appearance,

plus of course that un-intimidating ukulele presence,

they flocked to listen and to ask questions and stayed to talk.

I'm genuinely disappointed that my Pete Seeger demeanor

just doesn't work with this strong-charactered instrument.

How would YOU like to be upstaged by your own ukulele?

 

I have other ukes, including an original 1926 drum-headed banjolele,

but the resophonic simply doesn't suit my style.

Think of Arlo Guthrie.

Think really hard.

Can you see him sitting there, all white-haired and chubby,

playing those corny old save-the-world folk songs in the key of C?

Well, now you know the kind of music I play on my uke.

You also now know pretty much what I look like, alas.

It could be worse, I guess.

I could look like Pete...

 

I doubt that I've played this lovely uke more than three hours altogether,

and it deserves better than that.

This attention-getting instrument is in the exact condition as new.

My dial-up internet access is VERY slow and glitchy

so I'll post pictures only if someone is genuinely interested.

For the merely curious, it looks very much like THESE,

including the case, which is fitted, light, rigid, and really excellent.

 

I paid $435 for this uke,

and I assume it has increased in value since Republic stopped making them.

I would like to trade it for a second-generation Rochelle in new or very good condition,

preferably with the case and tutor.

 

If you're ready to part with your Rochelle

you KNOW you need a new, fun instrument!

How about mine?

Edited September 15, 2011 by Shas Cho

[Wolf Molkentin]

If you're ready to part with your Rochelle

you KNOW you need a new, fun instrument!

How about mine?

A witty offer you make... but I could only provide one of too many accordions - apart from my own old 20-button-Stagi

 

I wish you all the best, trader!

[Shas Cho]

For the merely curious, it looks very much like THESE,

 

 

I found THESE PHOTOS

of the engraved and polished model.

Very pretty very shiny,

but a single greasy thumb print is enough to make it look tacky.

The aged nickel is less flashy,

but looks like Clint Eastwood's hat-

like it's seen all there is to see

and still looking good.

 

Just sayin...

[Shas Cho]

Well, that was fun :=)

It looks like I have a deal.

Thanks for the interest you've shown.

 

Shas