Manufacturers Advertising Company Ukelin Value Guide

The Ukelin is a distinctive American fretless zither hybrid patented by Paul Richter in 1926 and sold primarily through door-to-door sales. It gained fame as a 'parlor instrument' that combined bowed melody strings with plucked harmony strings, though its complex tuning made it more popular as a decorative piece than a musical staple.

What Is Manufacturers Advertising Company Ukelin Worth?

The typical price range for Manufacturers Advertising Company Ukelin is $100 - $110 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the original decals and the integrity of the wooden soundboard, as cracks significantly decrease value.
• Presence of original accessories, specifically the specialized bow and the numbered song sheets or instruction manuals.
• Functionality of the tuning pins, as these instruments are notoriously difficult to keep in tune due to their age and design.
• Completeness of the 32 steel strings, as restringing a Ukelin can be labor-intensive and costly for collectors.

How to Identify Manufacturers Advertising Company Ukelin?

• Look for the 'Manufacturers Advertising Company' label or decal often located inside the sound hole or on the face.
• Identify the unique dual-string arrangement featuring 16 melody strings played with a bow and 16 chord strings meant for plucking.
• Check for the characteristic numbered chart system printed directly on the wood to guide the player.
• Verify the construction materials, which typically consist of a wooden soundbox with steel wire strings and decorative decals.

History of Manufacturers Advertising Company Ukelin

Patented in 1926 by Paul Richter, the Ukelin was primarily sold door-to-door by traveling salesmen. It was marketed as an instrument that anyone could learn easily using a numbered chart system. While it sounds like a cross between a zither and a violin, it was famously difficult to keep in tune, leading many to become decorative wall pieces rather than functional instruments.