Down South Banjo Ukulele

Subject: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,Baffled
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 03:26 AM

Hello, I have an old banjo ukulele with a paper label with the name Down South on it with British Manufacture underneath at the bottom of the headstock. At the top of the headstock embossed into the wood is what I assume used to be gold coloured, a lion and British Make. I have searched the internet to find out more information but to no avail. Does anyone know anything either about the banjo itself or the company? The banjo is made of a fairly light coloured wood and has a silver metal resonator. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 08:50 AM

Without doing any research, I would suspect the label might not be that much help in identification. I the heyday of banjos and banjo bodied "other" instruments such as mandolin and uke, there were a lot of instruments sold with labels added by the shop which sold them. A number of manufacturers made mass production models for sale to the music shop trade or sometimes a specific design made to order. They didn't badge such instruments with their own trade mark, that was done further down the line by the sellers.
Once again, without any research, the fact that the label says British Manufacture would suggest to me that it may have been made for export.
Of course all that is just speculation. It helps identification if we can see a picture of the instrument. Often people with similar queries have given a link to a photo on their web site or a picture sharing site such as flickr or photobucket. Sometimes the shape or design can be a dead giveaway to the maker, if not the seller.

I am a 5-string banjo player, not uke, but the "bulk" manufacturers made a variety of different instruments. Maybe someone with better ideas will come along, but that is my best suggestion.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: bill\sables
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 08:12 PM

George Houghton and Son used a lion as a logo in their early days

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,Alan the Great
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 10:54 AM

I have a Banjo Mandolin with the label "Down South" and the letters J.T.C.-L Registration No 473735, British Manufacturer, on front where the tuning keys are. It's an 8 string instrument in what looks like dark walnut or a similar type of wood with a skin front surface and chrome surround. Any clues and is it worth anything?
Alan the Great

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,Banjo-Jack
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 05:09 PM

Alan, these 'Down South instruments are worth between £3500-£5500 at auction depending on condition.

I work in an auction room which only does musical instruments.

I would insure it for £6000 though.

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 04:42 AM

Guest - Banjo Jack - Is this a wind-up? Banjo Mandolins are not in great demand, especially from a manufacturer nobody seems to have heard of.
Quick search gives Down South Banjo Mandolin sold on E-Bay (UK)for £60.
Description :-
Vintage Banjolin (Banjo/Mandolin), with case. Registered No 473735 - Down South J.T.C. British Manufactured.
Enlarging the photos shows a fairly OK instrument for which the winning £60 bid is a very reasonable valuation.
Likewise, also on Ebay,
Down South "Bell Tone" - different model! £49.99. I personally would pay more for this than the first one, but the prices seem pretty spot on.
The "Registration No 473735" is the same on the "Down South" plate attached to both banjos - possibly the Company Registration?

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,Guest george
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 06:23 AM

I take it Banjo Jack was a wind-up?

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,smiley
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 07:32 PM

i have a downsouth uke it is the same as the one you have as ican tell fom the discription that you give it was made in sussex in 1922 and at one time i also new the makers name i am now retrasing my steps as this was also pictured on ebay so i now that this is correct ok

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 11:19 AM

the ones i have seen have been nothing to get excited about

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,lucky find
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 11:19 AM

I have been searching for info about this company since buying a jtcl down south acoustic guitar, love to know the age of it and it looks to me as if it is modelled on a martin. I found it at a car boot, there is damage and repairs but i love the look of it.

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,lucky find
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 11:24 AM

the registration number is the same as above.
473735

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,lucky find
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 11:35 AM

Just looked on ebay and seen a banjo, the label is different to my guitar, On the guitar there is a black and silver metal badge/plaque on top of headstock with the same info as all above.

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,Davy
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 12:52 PM

Hi, I have recently bought a Banjo Ukulele on e bay, It has the Down South metal label on the head and the lion reclining with British make. impressed right at the top. Its a nice uke. and i paid £107 for it, but i have not found any reference to the Down South company anywhere on the net. and it has the same reg. numbers as the other posts on here.

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,pete
Date: 09 Feb 13 - 11:11 AM

I have one now, needs the skin replaced, but nic looking instrument. I can send photos if anyone wants
P

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 08:19 AM

I have a Down South banjo
i wish to sell it, any offers ?

Subject: RE: Down South Banjo Ukulele
From: GUEST,Aussie Guest
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 04:49 PM

They go from around $300 for a decent working one to $150 for a fixer-upper down here in Sydney ... don't see many any more ... 20
years ago they were $15 in garage sales everywhere .. i've got one
that has the best sound and one that doesn't measure up ? ... i put new goat skin heads on them at the same time a few years ago .... dont know why ... they do make good banjo ukes ... i've got 2 more that
need work ... good luck