1930s Leo Master (Kay) 4-String Banjo-Mandolin Conversion

Overview: This has "Leo-Master" at the headstock for branding but it's a Kay-made instrument and features their bolted neck-style attachment. I converted it to a 4-string format for ease-of-use and to give it more of a "mini-tenor-banjo" sound rather than the hard-to-tune, warbly 8-string format of a normal banjo-mandolin. This one is loud and proud and will cut nice and easy in an ensemble or jam. I tempered its brashness a bit with a FiberSkyn head, too, so you won't have to worry too much about shrieking your friends out when you reach up the neck for lead lines.

Repairs included: Molly gave it a level/dress of the frets some time back. I fit the new head, fit a new bridge, modded the headstock and tuners to a 4-string format, added side dots, cleaned it up, and set it up. It's playing spot-on and is ready to serve.

• Weight: 5 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 13 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 1/4"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.87"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1.01"
• Head diameter: 11”
• Resonator diameter: 13 3/8"
• Depth overall at rim: 3"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: archtop/hoop
• Bridge: maple/celluloid insert
• Fretboard: mahogany? stained
• Neck wood: maple or poplar
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 34w-10 lights
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/lower

Condition notes: It's been modified, of course. It's also missing a tailpiece cover. The head and bridge are replacements. The side dots are new. The resonator appears original but does have quite the odd mounting mechanism. I added two smaller bolts at the interior of the rim and into the heel to lock its position so it can't rotate at the joint if the main bolt gets loose. There are scratches, scuffs, nicks, and dings here and there throughout the finish.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: BDIE