1930s Del Oro (Kay) Resonator Tenor Banjo

Overview: This is a very simple, no-frills, late '30s or early '40s Kay-made Del Oro tenor banjo. It's long-scale, has no tonering (just a shaped rim-top), and has a woody, even tone to it. I spiffed it up and set it up for Celtic-style GDAE tuning and it will make the next owner happy as a quick-playing, low-stress, take-anywhere instrument.

It's got a look that's reminiscent of same-period Gibson Kalamazoo tenor banjos -- stripped-down and functional with a simple sunburst finish.

Repairs included: I fit a new Remo Renaissance head, parts-bin guitar-style tuners at the headstock, a new nut, leveled and dressed the frets, added side dots, fit a replacement (adjustable) tailpiece, replacement bridge, and set it all up. It's playing bang-on and ready to serve.

• Weight: 4 lbs 7 oz
• Scale length: 23"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.78"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.85"
• Head diameter: 10 15/16"
• Resonator diameter: 12 3/4"
• Depth overall at rim: 3 1/8"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: none
• Bridge: ebony/maple
• Fretboard: maple
• Neck wood: poplar or maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-12 for octave mandolin tuning GDAE
• Truss rod: none
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/lower

Condition notes: It's mostly-original but the tuners, head, bridge, tailpiece, and nut are not. There are light scratches, scuffs, and weather-check to the finish throughout. The headstock has the worst of it, with a little "spray paint" paint flecks here and there and a long streak of mucked-up finish. It's worn-in but good-looking.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: JW