1920s Bruno 4-String Banjo-Mandolin Conversion

I'm not entirely sure of the maker on this instrument (though I think it's a Chicago firm who made these), but it's virtually identical in build to many that were marked Slingerland and Concertone in the mid-1920s.  Bruno was a B&J catalog name much like Epiphone is (these days) a cheaper import line sold by Gibson but not made in Gibson factories.

It's a nicer-grade, "mid-market" banjo-mandolin from the time and features a nicer-than-average headstock veneer and a tall, hoop-style tonering. This gives it some decent volume and snap despite still wearing its original skin head.

We've modified it from an 8-string instrument into a 4-string instrument while retaining the GDAE tuning. This gives it a "mini tenor banjo" vibe and makes it much more convenient for tuning-up and keeping in tune while also giving mandolin players a "doubling instrument" that does the tenor banjo "thing" for chord-chop and chord-melody playing while also doing the "mandolin thing" of being an excellent choice for playing tunes and lead lines on.

I suppose, however, one could restring and retune it as desired. It would make a nice, "big rim" banjo-ukulele as well, for instance.

My guy Tim did most of the work on this and it's playing spot-on and ready to go.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, 4-string conversion mods, new bridge, cleaning, and setup work.

Weight: 4 lbs 7 oz

Scale length: 13 7/8"

Nut width: 1 1/8"

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: flat

Head diameter: 10 1/8"

Depth overall at rim: 2 1/2"

Rim wood: ply maple

Tonering: simple tall hoop

Bridge: ebony/maple 2-foot

Fretboard: ebonized maple

Neck wood: maple

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 32w, 20w, 13, 9

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: aside from the bridge, tuners mod, and neck bolts (replacing a neck brace), it's original throughout and in good order. Pearl dots currently hide the holes for the 4 additional original tuner shafts at the headstock.

It comes with: an original case!

Consignor tag: COM