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Thread: Can anybody tell me what I have?

  1. #1

    Default Can anybody tell me what I have?

    I found this is my dads basement and have no idea what it is and how old it is that I have looking for any help thank you Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    bon vivant jaycat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    A coffee table with a neck?
    "The paths of experimentation twist and turn through mountains of miscalculations, and often lose themselves in error and darkness!"
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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Careful! Down in the basement it could be part of the building’s first floor load-bearing structure.
    See if you can find it on architectural drawings for the property.
    If not then burn it thoroughly in an incinerator, it may be of alien origin.

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Wow, actually quite pretty.

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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Even more amazing, it comes with a case!

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    Yup. I've never seen the case but I'm sure it was original. Pretty cool.

    It was built by the predecessor company of Kay in Chicago.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  10. #8

    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Pretty cool. It was built by the predecessor company of Kay in Chicago.
    Why???

    Len B.
    Clearwater. FL

  11. #9
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    I'm interested in the significance of the "Aero" part of the designation.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

  12. #10

    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    The shape gives it some aerodynamic lift??

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  13. #11
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    I have one similar but in excellent condition. It was made by Stromberg-Voisenet around 1927 to celebrate Lindbergh's flight and cash in on the craze. My case is a canvas end opening one in not great shape. There were two models: mine has black sillscreened logo and the fancier one has gold ink. It actually plays and sounds pretty good. I love the propeller (see shots below). I was thinking of installing an engine with radio control in mine.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

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    Jim

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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    That is really cool. I wonder how many were made? How many survive?
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    I'm interested in the significance of the "Aero" part of the designation.
    Hmmmmmmm... it is shaped like an airplane with propeller and tailfin. See my pics above.
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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I have one similar but in excellent condition. It was made by Stromberg-Voisenet around 1927 to celebrate Lindbergh's flight and cash in on the craze. My case is a canvas end opening one in not great shape. There were two models: mine has black sillscreened logo and the fancier one has gold ink. It actually plays and sounds pretty good. I love the propeller (see shots below). I was thinking of installing an engine with radio control in mine.
    Why am I not surprised that you have one Jim?
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by Charles E. View Post
    That is really cool. I wonder how many were made? How many survive?
    I have had mine for decades. Probably got it in the early 1980s—my uke collecting era. I was taking ukulele lessons with Roy Smeck who was around back then and quite famous to the point where Harmony made a line of instruments some of which had airplane-shaped bridges.

    Back then there were no websites but I got instrument lists from some vintage dealers. There was a listing mentioning a uke in the shape of an airplane from a store in New Hampshire run by Dave Colburn but no photos. I called him up and asked if he could mail me some photos. He said a few other people called about it and he described it. I said, "just send it to me."

    Soon after that, there was a uke "convention" in Massachusetts and I brought the Aero and amazingly there was another nutcase who also had one. A friend of mine took photos of us dive bombing each other in a ukulele dogfight. Ah, those were the days. BTW this was way before people knew what ukes were, before the current craze for ukuleles.

    I have seen a few but not too many. Maybe under ten over the years but I am sure they are out there under beds with a few Loar F-5s. There have been some makers who made modern copies, like this one:http://www.pohakuukulele.com/aero

    I see that a few sites mention that Harmony made them but not sure about that. The guy who writes the Uke section for the VG Price Guide is pretty knowledgeable uke collector and he says S-V.

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I have one similar but in excellent condition.

    Why am I not surprised...?

    David knows what it's called and you have one.

    Mick
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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by lenf12 View Post
    Why???

    Len B.
    Clearwater. FL
    It was part of the Charles Lindberg craze. It wasn't the only one.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    ...I was taking ukulele lessons with Roy Smeck who was around back then...
    And that in itself has always impressed the heck out of me. Growing up in Porltand, Oregon Roy Smeck was just a name on the song books and later on a Gibson model guitar. I stand in awe.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  26. #19
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    I didn't parse the shape or notice the propeller until Jim pointed it out. Pretty dang cool.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

  27. #20
    FIDDLES with STRADOLINS your_diamond's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    ...As I told the Wright Brothers, It'll never fly.

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    Registered User Tavy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Soon after that, there was a uke "convention" in Massachusetts and I brought the Aero and amazingly there was another nutcase who also had one. A friend of mine took photos of us dive bombing each other in a ukulele dogfight.
    Now those photos I have got to see

  29. #22
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    I'd like to see a picture of it being played. I can't imagine how one can hold it.
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    Confused... or?
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    I'm interested in the significance of the "Aero" part of the designation.
    1- Uhmm... Because it was the 30's, and anything aeronautical was a hot item. Lindberg was mentioned above, the first passenger planes were being attempted, and air racing was really hot. The British Supermarine company had the hottest racer around, actually a seaplane, that would develop into WWII's Spitfire fighter.

    2- Think of the names that Leo Fender would assign in the '50s, "Telecaster", "Strato-".... the hot items of the day.
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  31. #24
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    I'd like to see a picture of it being played. I can't imagine how one can hold it.
    Here ya go:



    Jim

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  33. #25
    Registered User Tavy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anybody tell me what I have?

    Do you know, that actually sounds great, who'd have thought

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