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. If you don't see what you're after, please email or call. I have a network of contacts and between us, we may just find you that elusive instrument.
Please note, I do not give free valuations.
Thank you
Kevin Scott
Inventory
Banjo Collection For Sale
Mostly High End and Mostly Pre War Including B&D, Epiphone, Paramount Etc
Please Write For A Full Listing. To be sold as a whole. Serious Enquiries Only Please
Just Added
Epiphone Recording Bandmaster Tenor Banjo
Epiphone Recording Artist Plectrum Banjo
Tenor Banjos Standard Scale
Bacon & Day Silver Bell No5
Custom made in 1925 for Ralph Gallati, who can be seen holding the banjo on page 12 of the Bacon "Silver Bell Family" catalogue. High grade curly maple. Ebony fingerboard with intricate pearl inlays, pearl inlaid rim and heel, engraved flange, tension hoop and tone ring. Iucci mute. Gold plated hardware. There is some slight plating wear to the flange, probably caused by a strap. This instrument was restored by the late, Dale Small, to the highestpossible standards. OHSC. Exceptional condition. Offers please Photo's
Clifford Essex Paragon
Undergoing set-up/restoration. Available soon. 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 pattern 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'
Epiphone Prototype
Maple rim neck and resonator. The tone ring system is the same as used on some the early "Recording" series of banjos. Original tailpiece and armrest, replaced tuners, the fingerboard is from a 1960's/70's Vega and the neck has an adjustable truss rod. A great banjo that has all the sound and power of an Epiphone Recording but at half the price. HSC £1050 Photo's
Epiphone Recording Bandmaster
On consignment. Instrument with owner.
Rosewood. The heel carving and resonator on this instrument are normally only found on the "Recording Concert" models. Ebony fingerboard, hidden truss rod, co-ordinator rod, MOP inlays and nickel plated hardware including an engraved clamshell tailpiece and Grover "two tab" tuners. The heavyweight arch top rim assembly produces a magnificent sound. In my opinion, Bandmasters are THE most powerful banjo ever made. An extremely rare version of this all time classic. HSC.Very Good/excellent condition. £2600. Photo's
Please contact the owner "Jock" direct to discuss this instrument Email Tel: 0131 225 3277. Please mention this website.
Jedson
Professional grade Paramount copy in walnut. Undergoing set-up/restoration. Available soon.
Ludwig Big Chief
1929. American black walnut, ebony fingerbaord, inlaid and engraved with intricate and coloured Indian designs, The heel and rear of peghead are carved, and the front of the peghead has a marquetry Indain chief, which matches the one on the resonator. The resonator sidewall is inlaid with multi colour symetrical designs. Ludwig's action adjuster is fitted to the heel. All meatwork is original, gold plated and engraved. Solid pearl buttons set off the Ludwig patent Planet tuners. These instruments were brought on to the market just as the depression was hitting America. This, along with the advent of swing, which favoured guitars, pretty much spelt the end for the jazz banjo, or at least the high end ones. This example has never been restored, renovated or repaired. The resonator shows some crazing which is only to be expected. Comes with its orignal brown leather case. Beautiful original condition. Extremely rare. £4200 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 £550. Photo
Rushworth and Draper
What a little cracker. The rim assembly and resonator were almost certainly made by Jedson for R&D. R&D then added thier own neck. High grade maple neck and rim with a gorgeous birds eye maple resonator, decorative flange, ebony fingerboard, mother of pearl inlays, original armrest, replacement vintage tuners, modern tailpiece. Simple flat head tone ring. New head, strings and bridge. Set up to perfection. VG-Ex condition. £495. 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, |