Ukelin

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The Ukelin is one of the strangest instruments ever invented. The name suggests it's a cross between a ukulele and a violin, but it's closer to a zither and a violin. Although rather than being a 'cross' it's actually two instruments stuck together and you're supposed to play them both at the same time. Bowing with one hand and picking with the other.

The instrument was originally a door-to-door salesman scam and it was a very successful one. There are a huge number of these instruments around and you can often find many of them for sale on eBay at a price low enough to make it worth buying just for laughs.

One problem with the ukelin is the strings. If you can buy one with a full complement of strings, do that.

On Video

On eBay

3 Comments

  1. Brian July 17th, 2011 9:12 am

    I have an old (I think 1920′s because of a bunch of sheet music we have dated 1925. It’s in good condition but needs new strings. We’ve owned it for 35 years and it was originally owned by my wife’s uncle who served on a ship in World War 2. We’ve thought about selling it but we need some assistance as to price range and market. Is eBay a good start? I’ve not looked at ukelins there. This thing is an odd but cool. Thanks. Brian Van Alstyne

  2. Mark March 17th, 2012 6:35 pm

    I’ve recently bumped into the Ukelin.
    I think it is a pretty cool gizmo with a lot of potential.
    This is my first composition for it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4MprsrrLUU

  3. Arthur L. Duell December 6th, 2012 11:17 pm

    The “ukelin” is a fun instrument to build and, certainly its tonal quality can be improved. I have one as a model. It is complete with the original set of strings—nothing is broken or warped. The attached note says it sells for $15 and that it was patented 6 April 1926 and sold by the International Musical Corp. I am doing like many other makers of the strange instrument and am altering its anatomy to suit my likes.

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