c.1925 Gretsch-made "Lenora" Tenor Banjo

Great openback tenor! I always love this era of Gretsch-made tenors... simple, elegant, built really nice, and purty, too. 10 7/8" head, 20" (short) scale for slick playability and lead work, nice 5-piece maple/rosewood? neck, mahogany-veneered maple pot, and bound ebony fretboard with nice pearl inlay.

The only downer on this instrument is that it's been totally refinished at one point with a modern (sprayed) finish, and while the hardware is nice and clean there are (in equal numbers) three different types of hooks/nuts on the rim. It looks nice, though -- probably closer to what it looked like new (though with a thicker coat) -- but essentially because it's so "clean" it makes this instrument feel new, too.

Bone nut, nice pearl inlay all over the neck.

I added this Grover ebony/maple bridge.

Lookin' spiffy!

Original pegs with ivoroid celluloid buttons, though one peg is a replacement with white button) from my parts bin. The original was missing.

Interesting screw-attached neck brace.

Tailpiece is very art deco cool... works for ball or loop end (though I did double up the loops on the middle holder).