1920s Ludwig Standard Art Model Resonator Tenor Banjo

As far as tenor banjos go, I am usually circumspect about most Ludwig models as their neck shapes and general feel and sound for me, even if I love the way they sound in other players' hands. This extremely-ornate, high-end Ludwig has changed my feeling about them, though, as it has a Gibson-ish neck feel, rugged and functional design, and jaw-dropping looks. It's a stunner!

Right at the top of the headstock is a pile of engraved and inlaid pearl -- pearl inlaid into pearl -- and it just gets crazier from there. The flange and rim are completely covered with engraving and the aged gold plating gives it all a cohesive, elegant look. There's an "arches" cut to the skirt coming off of the tonering and I joked that it has its own aqueduct installed for liquid cooling of hot tenor banjo licks. Let's not even get into the absurd, Moorish-looking pearl inlay and "marquetry" looks of the resonator sides...

This one needed a level/dress of the frets and some setup work but after that was done it's now playing like a champ. It's loud, proud, and full-on as you might expect, too.

This one dates to the late '20s and, frankly -- I'm jealous.