1920s Gretsch-made 4-String Banjo-Mandolin Conversion

I know -- I'm on a kick with 4-string banjo-mando conversions, eh? But they've proven popular in the shop and they're easy to take care of as there are fewer tuning-stability issues to deal with and they give an interesting, mini-tenor-banjo voice for a mandolin player to muck about with in group sessions.

This one arrived here via trade-for-work, and it looked great when it came in. My work just involved the usual setup-side stuff plus the conversion over to 4-string. Now that it's done it has a good, poppy, sweet sound to it -- thanks in part to the Little Wonder-style hoop-in-sleeve tonering and a copious amount of good hardware on the rim. It plays like a champ, too.

While it doesn't have a Gretsch label, it looks a lot like the Concertone instruments Gretsch made at the same time. The curvy "volute" at the back of the headstock, the headstock's shape, and the "split circle" inlay in the front of the headstock's rosewood veneer... those are all typical of Gretsch banjos at the time.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, new bone nut, conversion to 4-string at the headstock ('50s-style Gotoh Kluson-style tuners are nice to have), new 5/8" bridge w/compensated top, replacement No-Knot-style tailpiece, and general setup and fussing-with.

Setup notes: it plays perfectly with 1/16" action at the 12th fret and it's strung with 34w, 22w, 14, 10 gauges. The neck is straight and the frets have good life left in them.

Scale length: 13 1/4"

Nut width: 1 1/8"

String spacing at nut: 7/8"

String spacing at bridge: 1 3/8"

Head diameter: 10"

Rim depth: 2 1/4"

Rim material: maple multi-ply

Neck wood: maple

Fretboard wood: ebonized pearwood or maple

Bridge: maple w/ebony top, comp'd

Neck feel: medium-big C/V shape, flat board (same as a period Gibson A-style)

Condition notes: a few of the hook/nuts are not original but are period. The tuners, nut, tailpiece, and bridge are not original. The skin head looks original to me, too. The finish is original and pretty dang clean throughout.