Description

The ukelin is a stringed musical instrument made popular in the United States in the 1920s. It is a bowed psaltery with zither strings, and its name derives from the ukulele (which was first made in Portugal but was popularized in Hawaii) and the violin. It lost popularity prior to the 1970s because the instrument was difficult to play and often returned to the manufacturer before it was completely paid for. You play it by bowing it like you would on a bowed psaltery for the melody and strumming the zither chords for rhythm. The ukelin has sixteen melody and sixteen bass strings, divided into four groups for playing accompanying chords. Each group has one large bass string and three smaller chord strings. The ukelin is placed on the table in front of the player. The melody strings are played with a bow in the right hand, and the chord strings are plucked or strummed with the left hand’s fingernails or a pick. The ukelin is tuned to a C major scale and therefore, it is limited in what it can play. For ease of playing for amateurs, the strings are given numbers, and the booklets that were sold with the ukelin would give these numbers a tabulature notation, instead of notes on a staff, for playing simple songs. This ukelin is in very good condition and comes with its original box and bow (no hair on the bow). A cool piece of Americana!

• Ukelin circa 1920’s/1930’s
• Original case and bow (No hair on the bow).