1950s Harmony Resotone Tenor Banjo

Tone: It's more on the plunky, old-timey side than it is on the bright and snappy "jazz banjo" side. I like these a lot for folk-style chordal backup (they're great on record) or for singing with. They're still bright-sounding but it's mellower than a typical tenor banjo due to the lightweight rim construction and lack of tonering.

Feel: The neck is slim and quick and is narrower at the nut like Gibson tenors.

Interesting features: These are pretty bare-bones, no-frills banjos. I suggest these and the 5-string versions for folks who like old and are getting into banjos because they're the sort of instrument that's practical, simple enough not to go out of whack when being tugged-around on adventures, and cheap enough to not worry about when doing so. Like all Resotones, it has a synthetic (molded) rim with integral bracket band.

Repairs included: It's had a fret level/dress, side dots added, cleaning, bolt-reinforcement for neck joint (replacing the not-very-functional neck brace), and setup. It's playing nicely and ready to go.

• Maker: Harmony (Chicago)
• Model: Resotone 
• Body style: tenor (4 string ,long scale)
• Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz
• Scale length: 22 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium-soft V
• Board radius: flat
• Head diameter: 11”
• Depth overall at rim: 2 1/2"
• Rim wood: synthetic
• Tonering: none
• Bridge: Non-Tip (Grover)
• Fretboard: ebonized maple
• Neck wood: poplar
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w, 20w, 13, 9 (CGDA tuning, can restring/retune as desired)
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: hair of relief tuned to pitch (~1/64")
• Fret style: medium-lower

Condition notes: The hardware shows rust and pitting here and there (mostly on the hooks) and the instrument itself is a little grungy/worn. The head has some wear and tear. It's mostly-original but I did replace the neck brace with a simple bolt (much better). The Non-Tip bridge is probably not original. When tuned to pitch, the neck adds a hair of relief but it does not hurt playability much at all. It plays quick with low action.

It comes with: No case, sorry.

Consignor tag: PK