Findajo Vintage Banjos

Welcome to Findajo Vintage Banjos, one of Europes largest "on-line"suppliers of vintage banjo and related fretted instruments. Wherever possible I try to leave instruments in their original condition. If things no longer function properly they will be replaced, if there is damage it will be repaired. I do not re-plate, refinish or replace hardware just for the sake of it, so if you're after a bright, shiny and "like new" vintage instrument, I probably wont have it. What I do have, is a superb selection of quality vintage instruments, properly set up and ready to be played.
As well as sales, Findajo provide a full set-up, repair and restoration service. Please see link below.
Please note, I do not give free valuations.

Thank you
Kevin Scott

Inventory

Tenor Banjos Standard Scale	Tenor Banjos Short Scale	Plectrum Banjos	5 String Banjos	Ukulele Banjos
Ukuleles	Guitars	Mandolins	Currency Converter	Sales Information

Just Added
Barnes & Mullins Plectrum Banjo
Jedson Open Back 5 String Banjo
Bell-Tone Soprano Banjolin
George Haughton & Son Melody Major Banjolin

Available Soon
Clifford Essex Paragon Tenor Banjo
Vega TuBaPhone No3 5-String Banjo. 100% original inc Case.

Tenor Banjos Standard Scale

Bacon & Day Silver Bell No1
Maple rim, neck and resonator, f-hole flange, ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays, knee mute, Ottinger tailpiece, Incomparable Silver Bell tone, perfect action. HSC. Excellent condition. £1000 Photo's To discuss this instrument, please contact the owner "Jim Susans" direct on Phone UK. 01844 351 843

Baldwin Ode Style D Neck
Probably made by Chuck Ogsbury for Ode with the Baldwin inlay added later when they bought out Ode. A beautiful neck that was snapped off at the peghead during shipping. Intricate mother of pearl inlays, ebony fingerboard and peghead overlay. Includes a top quality "Burns" geared truss rod. £100 Photo's

Clifford Essex Paragon's
Photo's

Clifford Essex Paragon Deluxe sn. 251 ca.1930s.
Once owned by the famous Jazz Banjoist Mario De Pietro http://www.jazzbanjo.com/jbartist/artistframe.htm who was originally a mandolin player and took up the banjo almost as a joke. This banjo is the creme de le creme!! All the hardware including shoes, flange, scalloped tension hoop, arm rest, and Grover clam shell tailpiece is replete with the finest engraving. The tuning machines are two band gold-plated Grovers with mother of pearl buttons and complement the finely carved rosewood neck. The 3/4 inch maple rim subtends the perforated arch top tone ring. It is thought that only seven of these banjos were made. To quote Bernunzio Vintage Instruments "Countries have gone to war over banjos like this one" Stunning condition. £10,500 Photo's

Emile Grimshaw Hartford
1930's, Mahogany archtop rim, mahogany neck and mahogany resonator. The neck has a hand carved heel, ebony fingerboard and pearl inlays. The resonator has a deep floral patter carved into its back. Original tuners, arm rest and tailpiece. The only Grimshaw tenor banjo I've ever seen. This banjo produces an amazing amount of power, volume & cut. Excellent condition.£1000 Photo'

Fender Artist
Made in California, USA. Walnut, rosewood fingerboard, pearl inlays, original hardware including Schaller tuners, adjustable truss rod, dual co-ordinator rods, solid arch-top tonering. Rare in this configuaration. Extremely powerful. HSC. Mint condition. £1200

Grover Two Tab Tuners
1920's. Set of four. New gold plating, solid pearl buttons, original screws. Mint condition £200 Photo's

Ludwig Bellevue
On consignment. Instrument is with its owner.
Walnut neck, ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays, engraved hardware, tulip flange, flat top tone ring, pyralin resonator with decorative floral design and gold sparkle binding, original tuners, arm rest and tailpiece. action adjuster, replated chrome and gold. Since the photo's were taken the missing peghead inlay has been replaced and a new head fitted. HSC. The best Ludwig I've ever heard. Very rare. Excellent/mint condition. £725. Photo's
To discuss this instrument please contact the owner 'Ray Bernard' direct on Telephone 01270 874157 or Email

Majestic Deluxe
New York circa 1920's. Rosewood neck and resonator, maple rim, fancy pie-crust resonator with lots of coloured purfling on sides and back. Neck is straight as an arrow with pearl inlays, beautifully inlaid peghead. External action adjuster, Unique archtop rim assembly. OHSC. Very good/excellent original condition £1200 Photo's

Paramount Leader
Placed between the Style C & Style D in Paramounts letter series. High grade rosewood throughout, rosewood fingerboard, new frets, pearl inlays, heavy arch top tone ring system, top quality geared tuners, original tailpiece and hotdog armrest. Has the higher grade Leader resonator which has an extra thick backplate and and is made from stunningly figured rosewood. Replacement perch pole, re-profiled heel. Superfast action. In my opinion the best sounding of all Paramounts. Beautiful condition. £1500 Photo's

Paramount Style B
On consignment. Maple, rosewood fingerboard, mother of pearl inlays, ornate peghead inlays. The heavy arch top tone ring gives these banjo a tremendous amount of power, volume and cut. Original tuners, tailpiece and armrest. Neck could do with a re-set otherwise superb. A great player, with a great sound. HSC. Very good/excellent condition £750. Photo's

Vega Vegaphone Artist Custom
Custom nickel version. High grade maple throughout.10 15/16 rim, Tubaphone tonering, 28 piece flange, piecrust resonator, ebony fingerboard with highly ornate engraved pearl inlays. The peghead is profusely inlaid and the back of the peghead is inlaid with the Vega star. Hand carved heel and a pearl inlaid heel cap. The modern heavy duty Waverley tailpiece allows for more downforce on the bridge thus helping to create the most wonderful sound. Perfect frets, new top quality Planet tuners, original armrest, new head. Some damage to the to the resonator lip, but still fits perfectly. Vegaphones are classic jazz banjos and were used by many of the New Orleans players, including Lawrence Marrero, George Guesnon and Emanuel Sayles. Low-fast action. A great banjo with that magic Vega tone. HSC. Excellent condition. £2300 Photo's

Vegaphone Professional
Serial # 94877. Circa 1930/31. High grade maple, 10 15/16 rim, Tubaphone tonering, 28 piece flange, two piece resonator with gold binding, ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays, modern quality geared tuners, clamshell tailpiece, new hooks, new head, reproduction armrest, straight neck, perfect frets. Vegaphones are classic jazz banjos and were used by many of the New Orleans players, including Lawrence Marrero, George Guesnon and Emanuel Sayles. Perfectly set up and ready to go. A stunning banjo with that magic Vega tone. Brand new case. Excellent/mint condition. £1200 Photo's

Vega VegaVox Custom
Serial number 99366. Maple with pyralin resonator, gold plated, Tubaphone tonering, ebony fingerboard with engraved pearl inlays, Oettinger style tailpiece, engraved and painted peghead and sidewall, rhinestones on the tuners and flange, original tuners and armrest. Incredibly powerful in any tuning. HSC. Very good/excellent condition. £2100 Photo's

Vega VegaVox 1 1970
On consignment. Instrument is with its owner. Circa 1970. Truss rod and 2 co-ordinator rods. 2nd generation Tubaphone tone ring with groups of horizontal slots instead of holes. Faux rosewood pearloid covered resonator. Stunning sound.OHSC. As with all the banjos from this collection, the action is low and set up to perfection.Mint condition. £1150. To discuss this instrument, please contact the owner Brian direct via Email Please mention this website. Photo's

Vega VIP Custom Grade
On consignment. Instrument is with its owner. Circa 1970. Gold plated and engraved. Almost mint - on very close inspection gold plate is a bit thin on edges of tension hoop. Armrest and tailpiece re-gold plated. Truss rod and 2 co-ordinator rods. As with all the banjos from this collection, the action is low and set up to perfection. Mint condition. OHSC. Price and photo's to follow. To discuss this instrument, please contact the owner Brian direct via Email Please mention this website.

Weymann Orchestra Style 1
On consignment. Instrument is with its owner. Circa 1926. 22" scale. Mahogany. Totally original and complete in Excellent++ condition. As originally supplied - without the thin ornamental flange. HSC. As with all the banjos from this collection, the action is low and set up to perfection. Price and photo's to follow. To discuss this instrument, please contact the owner Brian direct via Email Please mention this website.

Weymann Style 85
On consignment. Mahogany neck and resonator, rosewood fingerboard, pearl position markers, decorative flange, original armrest and tailpiece, replaced tuners. External action adjuster. HSC. Excellent condition. £600 Photo's

Tenor Banjos Short Scale

Grover Two Tab Tuners
1920's. Set of four. New gold plating, solid pearl buttons, original screws. Mint condition £200 Photo's

Vega Style F
17 fret. Serial number 55648, Mahogany neck and rim, 19 3/4 inch scale, 10 3/4 inch rim, pearl inlays, no-knot tailpiece, modern geared tuners, new hooks and nuts, shimmed neck. A superb little banjo with that disticntive Vega tone. Comes with what appears to be the OHSC. Excellent condition. £400 Photo's

Windsor Premier No2
On Consignment. Instrument is with its owner.
Walnut, ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays, flat top rim, Monarch resonator, original Pyxe tailpiece, Schaller tuners, engraved armrest. There is some very minor delamination on the resonator sidewall, otherwise perfect. Great sound, extremely rare.OHSC. Excellent condition. £1000 Photo's Please contact the owner "Bill Stagg" direct to discuss the sale of this instrument Email Telephone 07712347508

Plectrum Banjos

Barnes & Mullins Hybrid
Maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, scalloped tension hoop, pearl inlay, high quality nickel plated brass archtop rim assembly. The neck appears to be a reproduction and made in the B&M style. The resonator is maple with a stunning Burl walnut veneer. Period Grover tuners, action adjuster. A powerhouse banjo which plays lovely as-is. The perfectionist' however may want to have the neck re-set. Would also make a superb rim for a tenor banjo. Comes with a lovely vintage case. Offers please. Photo's

Bacon & Day Silver Bell Roy Smeck Stage Model
Rosewood, nickel plated, re-plated flange, gold sparkle fingerboard, engraved and painted fingerboard and peghead inlays, lightly carved resonator, original arm rest and Ottinger tailpiece, replaced tuners, two non original nuts. Low action, stunning tone. Extremely rare. Brand new HSC. Very good/excellent condition. £1800 Photo's

Bruno Royal Artist Style B
Made for Bruno by Paramount in New York. High grade maple throughout inlaid and bound with beautiful multi coloured woods. Rosewood fingerboard, mother of pearl inlays, ornate peghead inlays, hand carved heel, ornate flange, original tuners & tailpiece. This banjo has a huge arch top tone chamber which creates a tremendous amount of power, volume and cut. Very rare. Excellent condition. £1200 Photo's

Cammeyer Vibrante
Has been used semi professionally as plectrum banjo in jazz bands for the last couple of decades but easily converted back to a 5-string as no modifications have been made. Incredibly rare. Mint condition. Original tooled leather case. £950 Photo's

Colin Chaplin Custom
On consignment. A superb "top tension" banjo made from a Clifford Essex Regal pot assembly with an added arch top tone ring. A Paragon inspred neck made by Colin Chaplin from Kent. The resonator, also made by Colin is in the style of a VegaVox, thus having a huge tone chamber. There is a crack in the resonator that appears to have formed shortly after manufacture, which was about twenty five years ago, it does not affect the tone or playability whatsoever. Extremely loud with a tremendous ammount of cut. HSC. Very good/excellent condition. £1200 Photo's

Gibson Mastertone PB3
Serial number 8057-7. 100% original and never restored. Maple neck and resonator, 3/4" maple rim, ball bearing tone ring, 2-piece flange, 24 brackets, dual co-ordinator rods, Presto tailpiece, ivoroid-bound 22-fret Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with diamonds and snowflake inlays, all original hardware including engraved Presto tailpiece and Grover "Two Tab" tuners. 5-Star head. Plays superbly on a perfect light action, with lots of cut and volume. HSC. Very good/excellent original condition. £1500 Photo's

Gibson Mastertone with PB7 Style Top Tension Rim
Unknown pedigree. Purchased in the USA in the 80s. Appears to be a Gibson plectrum banjo converted to top tension using a conversion kit supplied by the Great Lakes company. A high quality and powerful banjo which looks and sounds stunning. £1000 Photo's

Grover Two Tab Tuners
1920's. Set of four. New gold plating, solid pearl buttons, original screws. Mint condition £200 Photo's

Jedson
A high grade model in walnut. Archtop tone ring, ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays, original hardware, stunning burl walnut veneer on the resonator, action adjuster An extremely powerful jazz band instrument with a stunning tone. Extremely rare in this configuration. OHSC Photo's

Jedson On Sale
On consignment. Maple neck and rim, birds eye maple resonator, ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays. Original armrest and tailpiece, replacement tuners. Rough HSC. Very good condition. £400 Photo's

Paramount Style A
Paramount banjos were used by most of the top jazz orchestra's of the 20's and 30's including Pete Mandell (The Savoy Orpheans) and Michael Pingatore (Paul Whitemans Orchestra). Maple, rosewood fingerboard, mother of pearl inlays, ornate peghead inlays. The heavy-duty arch top tone chamber gives these banjos a tremendous amount of power, volume and cut. Modern tuners, original tailpiece and armrest. A great player, with a great sound. Excellent condition £1000 Available soon

Scudamore & Farmer Custom
On consignment. Maple rim made by Colin Scudamore with a his own design archtop tone ring which produces a wonderful ringing tone coupled with extreme volume. The rim is finished of with a decorative nickel plated flange and a rosewood resonator. The maple neck which was made by Adrian Farmer, is fairly slim, has an ebony fingerboard, pearl position markers, Schaller tuners and an adjustable truss rod. Other hardware includes a clam shell tailpiec, Gibson style armrest and dual co-ordinator rods. Slight fret wear but plays perfectly. Overall a superb "custom made" jazz banjo. Suitable for any tuning. OHSC. Available soon. Excellent condition. £600 Photo's

Trujo
On consignment. Made by Gibson in 1931. This unique and highly collectable banjo features an enormous maple rim, with the largest tone ring I've ever seen. Maple neck and resonator, ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays. The peghead is carved in the shape of a lions head. Original Grover tuners and Trujo mute, replaced tailpiece and armrest. An extremely rare and powerful beast. Shows its age in places but a wonderful instrument none the less. OHSC. Very good condition. £1900 Photo's

Vega Little Wonder
On Consignmnet. Banjo with its owner. Sunburst maple throughout, geared tuners, four piece flange, original tailpiece. An extemely powerful banjo with a superb action and playability. Perfect for jazz. HSC. Very good/excellent condition. £850 Photo's Please contact the owner direct to discuss this instrument Click here to send an email

Vega Vegaphone Professional 4 Piece Flange
On consignment. Maple rim, piecrust resonator, mahogany neck, carved heel, ebony fingerboard, pearl position markers, four piece flange, Tubaphone tonering, original tuners, armrest and engraved tailpiece. One of the most popular jazz banjos ever made. Outstanding tone. HSC. Excellent condition. £900 Photo's

Vega Vegaphone Professional 28 Piece Flange
On consignment. Maple rim, refinished piecrust resonator, mahogany neck, carved heel, ebony fingerboard, pearl position markers, 28 piece flange, Tubaphone tonering, original Planet tuners, armrest and engraved tailpiece. One of the most popular plectrum banjos ever made. Outstanding tone. HSC. Excellent original condition £1300 Photo's

Vega VegaVox 2 Custom DeLuxe
1931 Serial number 97261. Maple throughout, original tuners and armrest. Replacement tailpiece. The neck is reproduction using the original peghead and fingerboard inlays. Upgraded with a DeLuxe VegaVox resonator. HSC. Excellent condition. Arriving soon. Photo's

Vega VegaVox 1
1931, serial number 96345, 100% original, maple, piecrust resonator with gold sparle bindings, nickel plated, Tubaphone tonering, original tuners, tailpiece and armrest. Two guitar strap holders fitted as can be seen in the photo's. SSC. Excellent condition. £1400 Photo's

Vega VegaVox Custom
1931 Serial number 95520. Later Vega neck (probably from the late 1960's/early 70's) with added peghead inlays. Original rim, tailpiece and resonator. HSC. Very good/excellent condition. £1200

Windsor Ambassador Supremus
Paralell necked 5-string which has been used by its current owner as a jazz tuned plectrum. Ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays, arch top tone ring, original tuners and tailpiece, chrome plated. Shows it age and isin need of some TLC. Padded gig bag. Fair condition. £350. Photo's

5 String Banjos

A.A. Farland Concert Grand
On consignment. Photo's supplied by the owner. Made from the highest grade maple, this is a stunning example of an A.A. Farland Beveled Top Wood Rim Banjo. Probably made in New York by Rettberg and Lange. Single piece neck, carved heel, ebony fingerboard with diamond pearl inlays, ebony peghead overlay inlaid with a pearl fluer-de-lys. Ebony rim cap. Original tuners and no-knot tailpiece. 27" scale, 11" rim, Nut width 1 1/4". Modern faux skin head. Excellent condition. £1000. Photo's To discuss this instrument please contact the owner 'Clive' via Email

Cammeyer Vibrante
Has been used semi professionally as plectrum banjo in jazz bands for the last couple of decades, but is easily converted back to a 5-string as no modifications have been made. Incredibly rare. Mint condition. Original tooled leather case. £950 Photo's

Emile Grimshaw Grand
High grade maple, ebony fingerboard and peghead overlay with stunning "Art Deco" mother of pearl inlays, arch top rim, carved heel, high quality metalwork with engraved tension hoop, tone ring and tailpiece. The resonator sidewall is lined with pyralin and decorated in the "Skrimshaw" manner. All original hardware including Page "Style E" tuners and very rare scratchplate. Comes complete with its original faux aligator skin case.Without doubt, one of the best original examples still surviving. Excellent condition. £1500. Photo's

Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No2
On consignment. Banjo with its owner Pre-fire, c1903, 11 15/16 rim. Mint condition. £2500 Photo's Please contact the owner direct to discuss this instrument. Click here to email owner. Please mention this site.

Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No7
On consignment. Pre-fire, c1903. 11 15/16 rim. Mint condition. £4400 Photo's Please contact the owner direct to discuss this instrument Click here to email owner. Please mention this site.

Gibson Mastertone RB4 Pre War
On Consignment. Instrument is with its owner.
Mahogany neck, maple rim, 'Honduran Mahogany' resonator with two concentric purfling rings on the back, two-piece flange, ball bearing tone ring, grooved tension hoop with flat hooks, nickel plating, Kirshner tailpiece, fiddle-shaped peghead, hearts and flowers inlay, and Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. An unusual feature of this banjo is the presence of "Mastertone" in individual letters on the peghead rather than in a mother-of-pearl block on the fingerboard. The peghead placement of the Mastertone logo is normally seen only in banjos produced in 1925, the first year of the Mastertone line. Indeed this particular banjo was the second Gibson Mastertone RB4 ever made.Comes with the original Gibson tension key and Gibson mute, plus an assortment of old tortoiseshell picks, plus a receipt from when it was purchased in Croydon (London) in the late 1940's. Untouched from new. Extremely rare. Offers please.Photo's

Gibson RB2
1937. Export model. Serial number 1112-1 Walnut neck with fiddle shaped peghead, maple rim and walnut resonator. Pearloid fingerboard with stenciled inlays, some of which are worn, one piece flange, original nickel plated hardware, missing tailpiece cover. There is some evidence of refinishing on the neck (possible replaced bindings?), super low action. The three ply maple rim is the same as was used on one piece flange Mastertone models from this period, making it a perfect conversion banjo. Beautiful condition. Stunning OHSC. Offers please. Photo's

Grover Two Tab Tuners
1920's. Set of four. New gold plating, solid pearl buttons, original screws. Mint condition £200 Photo's

Jedson
Open back, maple neck and rim, ebony rim cap, arch top tone ring. Paralell neck so can be used as a plectrum banjo without having to make any alterations. All original hardware. Excellent Condition. SSC. Offers Please Photo's

Lyon and Healy Open Back
On consignment, instrument is with its owner
Please contact the owner "Peter Burton" direct to discuss all matters regarding this banjo. Photo's Tel. 01483 534634 or Email

Unknown
On consignment, instrument is with its owner
Please contact the owner "Peter Burton" direct to discuss all matters regarding this banjo. Photo's
Tel. 01483 534634 or Email

Vega Tu-Ba-Phone No3
Maple rim, mahogany neck, carved heel, ebony fingerboard, pearl position markers, Tubaphone tonering, original hardware and tuners. OHSC. The all time classic open back Vega. Available soon

Windsor Ambassador Supremus
Paralell necked 5-string which has been used by its current owner as a jazz tuned plectrum. Ebony fingerboard, pearl inlays, arch top tone ring, original tuners and tailpiece, chrome plated. Shows it age and is in need of some TLC. Padded gig bag. Fair condition. £350. Photo's

Ukulele Banjos

Dallas Model E
On consignment. Instrument is with its owner. Mint condition with original case. Outstanding value £800 Photo's Please contact the owner (Derek Worsley) direct on UK 01983 730 445. Please mention this site when calling.

Grover Two Tab Tuners
1920's. Set of four. New gold plating, solid pearl buttons, original screws. Mint condition £200 Photo's

Windsor Popular On Sale
What an absolute cracker. Original finish, arch top rim, mahogany neck and resonator, Heavy duty tension hoop, ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl inlays, pretty flange with floral cut-outs, original tuners, original tailpiece, perfect frets. Please note, since the photo's were taken a new head has been fitted. A top quality instrument with an exceptional tone. Available soon. No case £450 Photo's

Ukuleles

Grover Two Tab Tuners
1920's. Set of four. New gold plating, solid pearl buttons, original screws. Mint condition £200 Photo's

Tenor/Baritone Ukulele
Unknown maker. 32 inches long, 22 inch scale, 18 Fret, mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, pearl markers, rope effect bindings, replaced geared tuners. Low action and plays like a dream. Currently set up on steel strings with a dead straight neck. It look like a guitar style pick up was fitted sometime in the past and some refinish is evident, but this does not detract from the overall beauty or sound of this little gem. Very good condition Offers please. Photo's

Guitars

Abbott LW 225
Arch top, block pearl inlays, sunburst finish. Extremely rare. Refinished by JayDee guitars. Mint condition. £850 Photo's

Aristone by Abbott
On consignment. Serial number 216. Handcrafted in Soho, London by Jack G. Abbott, son of Jack Abbott sr. who became famous for his banjos, particularly the "Monarch" range. Sunburst finish, original tuners and tailpiece and scratchplate. Aristone guitars are renown for their quality and this one is no exception. Needs a little TLC but plays great. OHSC Very good condition. £800 Photo's To discuss this instrument please contact the owner 'Clive' via Email

Carlos Tenor Guitar
On consignment. Spruce top, mahogany sides and back, rosewood fingerboard, new tuners. The action and playability is superb. Has a very powerful tone. Suitable for any tuning. Very good/excellent condition. Photo's

Fender Stratocaster 1979
Made in the USA. Serial number S916841. Owned by a professional guitarist for the last 22 years. The original black finish has faded to a very dark green as is common with these instruments. This guitar has never been restored or refurbished and as can be seen in the photo's has considerable playing wear. However, having been owned by a professional, it is in perfect playing condition with all knobs, switches, tuners and electrics working as they should. The tremelo arm works but does need slight attention. Offers please. Photo's

Gibson Epiphone Sheraton
Mint/As new. HSC Offers please

Gibson Les Paul Jnr
1962 Serial Number 122539. Gibson rock machine, cherry finish, feather weight SG style mahogany body and (wide thin) neck, rosewood fretboard, dot inlays, 22 frets, original (broken) pickup, replaced bridge, crack by input (see photo), original 3-on-a-plate tuners, 1-11/16" nut, 24-3/4" scale. As can be seen by the photo's, this guitar has been used and somewhat uncared for. On the plus side it has been owned by a professional guitarist for the last twenty five years and everything works as it should. No case. Offers please Photo's

Mandolins

Bell-ToneSoprano Banjolin
English. Excellent condition. Original case. Offers please. Full details to follow Photo's

George Haughton & Son Melody Major
Excellent condition. Original case. Full details to follow. Offers please.Photo's

Gibson F-5 Replica (2007)
This instrument is being sold by John Croft at The Ukulele Man www.theukuleleman.com Please click on photo link for full details Photo's