revellfa - Posted - 02/25/2011:  04:29:40

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So, as a child I used to play some progressive or chromatic style. A friend of my aunt's, Ms. Betty Grimm, heard me play and she was so impressed that she gave me three instruments.

#1 a baratone ukulele
#2 a banjo ukulele
#3 an A. Dias ukulele

She said, "when the appraiser told me how much it was worth, I was tempted to keep it!" I always thought she mean the banjo uke...

I've had these instruments for over twenty years now. Boy was I shocked to find out that the A. Dias uke is worth over $15,000!

Anybody wanna trade for a pre-war flathead? Ha Ha.

Slingerland - Posted - 02/25/2011:  04:53:37

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What a nice gift! I'd love to see some photos.

Dias ukueleles are exceedingly rare and $15,000 is not unreasonable at all for a intact, original example.

bobbybanjo - Posted - 02/25/2011:  04:57:27

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quote:

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Originally posted by Slingerland

What a nice gift! I'd love to see some photos.

Dias ukueleles are exceedingly rare and $15,000 is not unreasonable at all for a intact, original example.

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Not quite as rare as $15,000 PW Flatheads!

banjodawg - Posted - 02/25/2011:  12:20:10

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Frankie,
Check with Dave Schenkman at Turtle Hill. He has a few banjo ukes and and more than a few pre-war banjos. His website says that he buys banjo ukuleles. Maybe he would be interested in a trade for a ukulele with the pedigree of that Dias! If you get down this way to see him, we can jam on the porch!

Gymbal31 - Posted - 02/25/2011:  12:22:58

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Pictures please!

revellfa - Posted - 02/26/2011:  16:47:16

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See below for the pics.

robbif - Posted - 02/27/2011:  06:57:54

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Hey, and on my 2007 tour I thought the $5,000 (?) Martin Koa uke was cool!

gdoc - Posted - 02/27/2011:  12:33:14

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Value of a banjo, I kind of understand, as far as cost to build, cosmetics and such. But other than tone, what causes the value of a uke to reach such high prices?

WildJimbo - Posted - 02/27/2011:  13:03:05

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quote:

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Originally posted by gdoc

Value of a banjo, I kind of understand, as far as cost to build, cosmetics and such. But other than tone, what causes the value of a uke to reach such high prices?

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It's really no different than any other item that brings a chunk of money. It's a matter of supply and demand. It's a very rare piece, and the cost of materials has nothing to do with it.

revellfa - Posted - 02/27/2011:  16:47:08

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I wondered the same thing gdoc. It's a uke, right? However, I am slowly coming to terms with what I have. As WildJimbo says it is supply and demand. Apparently only about two dozen Dias ukuleles exist and only 6-10 of them have the paper label in tact like mine does.

I kind of think of it as owning a guitar that C.F. Martin built or a banjo built by Mr. Gibson himself! Anybody know where I can find a nice hardcase with all the bells and whistles--like something that could withstand a car running over it?

Beardog - Posted - 02/27/2011:  16:53:43

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It is a cute little sucker!

WildJimbo - Posted - 02/28/2011:  06:46:21

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quote:

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Originally posted by revellfa


I kind of think of it as owning a guitar that C.F. Martin built or a banjo built by Mr. Gibson himself! Anybody know where I can find a nice hardcase with all the bells and whistles--like something that could withstand a car running over it?

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I think it's more important than that. It's not just an instrument built by a founder of an instrument company, but rather an instrument built by one of the founders of the instrument itself. It would be akin to having a saxophone that was built by Adolfe Sax.

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Edited by - WildJimbo on 02/28/2011 06:46:58

gdoc - Posted - 02/28/2011:  09:32:34

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Well, it is a beautiful instrument. I had no idea there was such a following in the Uke world. My lack of knowledge can be my worst friend. But from my exposure to the Uke, I always thought of it as a childs toy, or a novelty instrument as that is the only times I've seen one.

But a new Martin uke for 5k or this Dias for 15K kind of opens my eyes! Think I might start watching for them from now on. Be fun to learn to play one.

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/01/2011:  07:45:34

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Richard Johnston, owner of the Gryphon, knows these bad boys. Buffalo Bros. sold a very rare uke to a Spanish collector for me.

banjodawg - Posted - 03/01/2011:  17:08:09

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Just found a uke in the basement. It belonged to my great Uncle. I'll bet it isn't worth $15.00! I'll have to re-string it and join the growing ukulele group.

Tim13 - Posted - 03/01/2011:  17:16:59

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I bought an entry level uke when my wife and I went to Hawaii last year on vacation. It was my souvenir from our wonderful trip. It's nothing special, but it is fun to strum on, and quite easy to play. The only down side is my name. Can anyone guess what my wife calls me whenever I break out the uke?

Tim

gdoc - Posted - 03/02/2011:  08:42:41

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Can you give us another "tiny" hint?

Bastertone - Posted - 03/02/2011:  14:21:26

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Weee willy? Minnie Mike? Little Lennie?

Tim13 - Posted - 03/02/2011:  17:12:36

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Hahahaha.

c_mynah - Posted - 08/11/2011:  14:11:27

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quote:

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Originally posted by revellfa

See below for the pics.

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Hey there! Shared this marvelous heirloom with a friend who is the Great-grandson of Dias! It's a beauty!!

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Edited by - c_mynah on 08/11/2011 14:13:13

mikehalloran - Posted - 08/12/2011:  21:01:45

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Look for the video of Richard talking about these on Antique Roadshow if you haven't seen it yet.