Any Idea's what this old thing is?

[Dave Kirk]

Has anyone out there ever come across one of these before (Perhaps Basil?)
I was given it as part of a job lot when I bought a Guitar Repair Business; it was covered in dust and had been in the Back room of our local music shop for 40 odd years.
It seems to be British made, and has a rear panel to get to the pickup.
It must be old, as the cable grows out of the instrument, instead of plugging in to a jack socket like modern instruments.
The finish is strange, it is like a yellow thick old paint, with splatters of Gold, but seems to be original.
Someone out there must know what the hell it is!
I have loads more pictures and will send them on.
Regards
Dave Kirk

[Dave Kirk]

More pics

[Dave Kirk]

The Last of the pics

[e9b6]

Dave

the FDH gave a clue - Francis Day and Hunter

Then ukelelecorner website came up with

FDH Ltd.
FDH stands for Francis, Day & Hunter, a UK music publisher from the 19th c, incorporated in 1926, (so anything with Ltd. on it was made after 1926) and still in business today though as a subsidiary of EMI. Like other UK music publishers of the 20's and 30's, they tried their hand at musical instrument distribution and amongst other things, they distributed 2 types of Gibson guitar from 1936 to 1939 branded FDH. Nowadays people try to say anything branded FDH is a re-branded Gibson, They are not all of the re-branded banjo instruments, (not just Banjoleles), I have seen came from GH&S. The Banjoleles I have seen are all re-branded Melody Junior's and have the model name Carnival, (I have heard Festival suggested too but I think this is another misreported Carnival, though I have seen another GH&S Banjolele branded Pageant) I have never seen an FDH branded Ukulele.

On with the search

Colin

[e9b6]

http://fox-guitars.com/Gibson-Made_Brands.php

This website shows a model 1139 about halfway down a very long page

It looks similar

Colin

[Dave Kirk]

Many Thanks Colin
I don't intend to keep it, but doubt anyone would want such an old instrument.
Regards
Dave

[Donny Johnston]

Hi Dave, hope you and her indoors are well, sorry I missed you, didn't know you were up in Sconnie Botland, Bob Adams mentioned it when it was too late. I would not be in to big a rush to through it away, more investigation needed, you never know. Donny.

[Dave Kirk]

Hi Donny
All is well at this end mate, you haven’t missed me, and I don’t start the Scotland Gigs until 24th of this month although one is on the way up not actually in Scotland.
The gigs are as follows:
24th GUISBROUGH QUOITS S & S CLUB - GUISBROUGH TEESIDE TS14 6JP
25th EX-SERVICEMAN CLUB - 9 HIGH STREET ELGIN IV30 1EQ
26th NASHVILLE NORTHERN CLUB - THURSO KW14 8BU
27th KEITH BRITISH LEGION BALLOCH RD KEIT BANFFISHIRE AB55 5EN
Carol and I are taking our small two birth caravan up with us, and intend to see a bit of Scotland on our way back down, mainly along the west coast side, we are told there are some nice places to see on that route.
I don’t know if any of the Scottish lads are close to any of the gigs, but it would be great to share a dram or an Iron Brew with them if they are
Kindest Regards
Dave.

[thefatcyclist]

Close ????? the only people near to Thurso are Thurso folks, you are are going to see a lot of Scotland. I hope you enjoy the time and the gigs.