Tenor resonator banjo
Trade Name
Concertone
(trade name of Montgomery Ward)
Distributor
Montgomery Ward & Company
(distributor)
Date1930 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America
ModelConcertone
Serial No.none
SignedEngraved into peghead veneer and filled with black ink, in cursive text: ConcertoneMarkingsStamped onto bridge in black: GROVER
Stamped onto tuners: GROVER / PAT.
DescriptionNeck: walnut; 3-ply maple/walnut/maple stripe inlaid along length; decorative carving at heel
Peghead: walnut with two-ply pearloid and black celluloid veneer on face; maple/walnut/maple stripe continues to top from neck; decorative carving on back; engraved into pearloid veneer on face and filled with black ink: [starburst pattern] / Concertone [in cursive text]/ [starburst pattern]
Fingerboard: pearloid with ivoroid binding (grain running perpendicular to fingerboard); 19 nickel-silver bar frets; decorative, black-ink-filled floral engraving in celluloid behind 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, and 15th frets
Heel cap: 2-ply walnut/maple veneer
Head: calf-skin
Tone ring: none/not visible
Rim: walnut veneer, “chevron” pattern light, green, and brown wood strip inlaid around circumference
Bracket hooks: 20 nickel-plated steel tension screws with hexagon heads
Shoes: none/not visible
Tension hoop: cast zinc
Armrest: nickel-plated steel
Resonator: walnut plywood with ivoroid binding; “chevron” pattern light, green, and brown wood strips run around top edge and outer circumference; cast zinc flange; decorative wood inlay on back of flowers in a vase [see Attachment I in file]
Dowel stick:not visible
Nut: mother-of-pearl
Tuners: 4 nickel-plated brass Grover geared tuners with ivoroid heads
Tailpiece: nickel-plated brass
Finish: clear lacquer
DimensionsTotal instrument length: 865 mm (34-1/16”)
Vibrating string length: 580 mm (22-27/32”)
Fingerboard length: 395 mm (15-9/16”)
Fingerboard width at nut: 29 mm (1-1/8”)
Fingerboard width at body: 40 mm (1-9/16”)
Head diameter: 273 mm (10-3/4”)
Resonator diameter: 354 mm (13-15/16”)
Rim and resonator depth: 95 mm (3-3/4”)
ProvenanceThis banjo was bought for the donor’s older brother Earl Mayer, by his parents, in the late 1930s. The instrument was played in a 5-6 member family group (cousins, etc.) including piano, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. The donor played the fiddle.
Credit LineGift of Warren Mayer, in honor of his brother, Earl Meyer, 2002
Object number10134
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