1926 Lyon & Healy Bell Tiple
I'll admit, I had no idea what this was when I picked it up at a local estate sale 10+ years ago. It's got 10 strings, grouped 2-3-3-2, so it's not a ukulele and not a mandolin, so what is it. Turns out that it's called a tiple. This one is the American Conservatory number 5095 model made by Lyon & Healy in 1926. Though there are several tuning variations, most people tune them just like a ukulele where the middle string in each group of three is dropped an octave for a fuller sound. Do a YouTube search for Tiples and listen to how these can sound.
However, I'm not sure this one will ever sound as good, again. I purchased new strings for it, which are included, but after really examining the condition of this instrument, I elected not to add any more tension to the neck. I'll let the new owner decide if they want to visually restore it to be a wall hanger or if you want to try to make it playable, again.
Condition: Yeah, the condition is contingent on what you hope to do with it. There's a small crack in the back near the top center. It appears to be stable and the back doesn't rattle when tapped. Part of the banding is missing from the top on the right side around the 'bell'. There is a small chunk missing from the tail where it attaches to the side and there are a couple of chunks missing from the top of the head stock. My biggest concern, though, is it looks like the neck, at one time, buckled into the the top. The soundhole is now oblong instead of round and the metal trim ring inside of the soundhole is buckled on both sides. I'm truly not sure what will happen under the tension of 10 new strings. My price is reflective of these issues. You have to admit that it's an interesting piece, though.
$65.00 plus shipping.
(Click below to claim it.)
(This one is labeled "H" in the first picture...)
1926 Lyon & Healy Tiple:
$65.00
Yes, I want it!