Tenor Banjos
1926 Bacon & Day Silver Bell No. 1
1928 | 19 Frets | 23" Scale | 11" Rim
A fine example of the legendary Bacon & Day Silver Bell No. 1, one of the most respected tenor banjos of the Jazz Age. Built from maple and fitted with the sought-after non-perforated Silver Bell tone ring and distinctive F-hole flange, it delivers the projection, clarity and sustain for which Silver Bells are renowned.
Nickel-plated hardware, including the desirable Ottinger tailpiece, Schaller tuners with beautiful cream buttons, speed neck, excellent frets, lovely soft action on a shimmed neck, the resonator mounting hardware is non original, crazing to the resonator finish.
This is an excellent playing example equally suited to jazz, dance band and Irish music. HSC. £1,200
Bacon & Day Silver Bell Roy Smeck Stage Model
1920s | 19 Frets | 23" Scale | 11" Rim
A rare and highly decorative Roy Smeck Special tenor banjo, produced in limited numbers during the golden age of American banjo making. Crafted from striking African Padauk (Vermilion), it features a metallic gold fingerboard, peghead and heel cap enhanced by intricate coloured engraving.
Presented in very good original condition, it retains its original Silver Bell tone ring, Ottinger tailpiece, Grover tuners and hardware. The neck is straight, the frets are excellent, and there are no breaks, repairs or structural issues.
A distinctive and highly desirable Silver Bell suitable for players and collectors alike. HSC. £1,800
Leedy Collegian
19 Frets | 23" Scale | 11" Rim
A superb-playing Leedy Collegian tenor banjo featuring the desirable large-resonator design. Built from mahogany and fitted with nickel-plated hardware, it offers impressive volume, excellent note definition and a lively, responsive tone.
Leedy's innovative top-tension design allows easy head adjustment without removing the resonator. Combined with a comfortable low action and excellent frets, this is a highly playable Jazz Age American tenor banjo offering exceptional value. HSC. £950
No Name (Possibly Weymann)
1930s | 19 Frets
An unusual and highly attractive Jazz Age tenor banjo believed by some to have possible Weymann connections. Its standout feature is a rare inverted Silver Bell-style tone ring, similar to those found on certain H.F. Meitz banjos, producing a bright and powerful voice.
Beautifully preserved, it features excellent woodwork, attractive metalwork and a clever resonator design that converts easily to open-back configuration. The neck has a slight bow and twist, but otherwise presents exceptionally well.
A fascinating and characterful vintage tenor banjo with plenty of individuality. HSC. £650
Paramount Art Craft
19 Frets | 23" Scale | 11⅛" Rim
A superb example of the highly sought-after Paramount Art Craft, one of the most elegant professional tenor banjos of the 1920s. Constructed from beautifully figured rosewood throughout, it features original gold-plated hardware, a striking carved heel and exceptional period craftsmanship.
The neck is straight, the frets are excellent, and the archtop tone ring delivers the projection, clarity and crisp response for which Paramount banjos are renowned.
A rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest Jazz Age American tenor banjos ever made. OHSC. £3,500
S S Stewart Wonder-Tone (Majestic)
1920s | 19 Frets | 23" Scale | 10⅝" Rim
A handsome and finely appointed banjo made for S.S. Stewart by Majestic and reflecting the ornate craftsmanship of the 1920s. Featuring a rosewood neck and resonator, maple archtop rim, ebony fingerboard with elaborate mother-of-pearl inlays, and a richly decorated peghead and resonator, it possesses all the visual charm of a high-grade period instrument.
Presented in excellent playing condition with a straight neck, excellent frets and nickel-plated hardware. Fitted with quality Gotoh tuners and a modern tailpiece, it retains the lively tone and projection for which these banjos are admired. A distinctive vintage instrument equally suited to traditional jazz, Irish music and ragtime. HSC. Arriving soon.
Slingerland Maybell Style B
19 Frets | 23" Scale | 10¾" Rim
A professional-grade Slingerland Maybell Style B featuring a walnut neck and resonator, nickel-plated hardware, and a large tone ring that delivers impressive projection and volume.
Structurally sound with a straight neck and attractive original appearance, the banjo would benefit from a neck reset, new nut and fret work, and is priced accordingly.
An increasingly hard-to-find Jazz Age Slingerland with excellent restoration potential. Gig bag. Price includes postage. Sold as-is with no returns. £525
Vega Little Wonder
1928 | 19 Frets | 23" Scale | 10-15/16" Rim
A charming and highly playable Vega Little Wonder with all the tone and character that have made these instruments enduring favourites. Built from maple and fitted with a 4-piece flange, 2-piece resonator, Presto tailpiece and Gotoh tuners, it delivers the bright, responsive voice for which Vega is renowned.
This example has acquired a number of unique touches over its lifetime, giving it plenty of personality. The frets are excellent and the smoothly refinished neck provides an exceptionally comfortable playing experience.
A wonderful player's banjo with superb tone and Jazz Age charm. £1,000
Vega Professional
Circa 1962 | 19 Frets | 23" Scale | 10-15/16" Rim
A fine example of the Vega Professional from the desirable yellow-label period, featuring Vega's legendary Tubaphone tone ring for outstanding clarity, projection and sustain.
Built from maple with a sunburst finish, it benefits from an adjustable truss rod, excellent frets and a comfortable low action. Modern tuners and tailpiece provide dependable performance while preserving the instrument's vintage character.
A superb playing Vega equally suited to jazz, Irish tenor and acoustic music. HSC. £1,350
Vega Whyte Laydie Large Rim With Resonator and Flange
17 Frets | 21" Scale | 11-13/16" Rim
1924. A fine example of the classic Vega Whyte Laydie Style R, offering the warmth, clarity and responsiveness that have made these banjos favourites for over a century. Built from maple with original nickel-plated hardware, it delivers the distinctive sweetness, sustain and projection of the celebrated Whyte Laydie tone ring. The added resonator and flange provides extra power and projection
Fitted with Gotoh tuners and expertly set up with a shimmed neck, it offers a beautifully comfortable low action. The plating is worn, and the resonator has some scratches. Other than that it's free from cracks, breaks and repairs. Straight neck, excellent frets.
A highly musical vintage Vega with outstanding tone and playability. £1,800
Vegaphone Soloist
1926 | 19 Frets | 23" Scale | 10-15/16" Rim
An exceptional Vegaphone Soloist from the golden age of American banjo making. Built from beautifully aged maple and fitted with Vega's legendary Tubaphone tone ring, it delivers outstanding projection, clarity, sustain and tonal balance.
This fine example retains its distinctive combination of gold and nickel-plated hardware, including a beautifully engraved Ottinger tailpiece, while the fingerboard engraving remains exceptionally well preserved. The original Planet tuners, excellent frets and shimmed neck provide superb playability.
A rare and highly desirable professional-grade Vega from the height of the Jazz Age. HSC. £1,600