c.1930 B&J Serenader Tenor Banjo

What a fine old 'jo! This is a full-scale (22 1/2") tenor banjo with loud, poppy, but mellow tone... perfect for Celtic or old-time fiddle tunes. It's all-original save a new tailpiece and nut, feels great, is lightweight... and... what... more?

Work included total teardown, cleanup, fret polish, head cleaning, new nut, new tailpiece (the original was broken, sadly), and put-back-together and setup. I've strung it for octave-mandolin tuning (GDAE an octave lower than mandolin) as that seems to be all the rage for tenor players these days. This one is nice and full and controlled at that pitch, too.

Cool headstock -- wish I knew who made this for B&J. It's a great build. Speaking of build... it's solid maple throughout with flamed-maple veneer on the sides of the pot, ebony headstock veneer, maple and rosewood bridge, and rosewood fretboard with MOP dots inlaid. Nickel silver frets... original skin head... and good-quality plated-brass shoes.

Love the decal.




Original 5/8" maple and rosewood two-foot bridge.

Flamed maple veneer on the sides... it's finished in a walnut color but the wood is not walnut. Oh -- for got to mention the super-cool yellow/rosewood marquetry inlaid along the side of the pot.

Original Champion pegs work just dandy.

On the head: "Frankie" -- and nice neck brace. I love this style neck brace... nice and strong and functional. Not finicky at all.

Ebony heel cap.

Tailpiece is a new no-knot. A Grover Presto would be a nice upgrade but this is more in line with what was originally on it.