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Tenor resonator banjo
Trade Name: Concertone (trade name of Montgomery Ward)
Distributor: Montgomery Ward & Company (distributor)
Date: 1930 ca.
Place Made:Chicago, Illinois, United States, North America
Model: Concertone
Serial No: none
SignedEngraved into peghead veneer and filled with black ink, in cursive text: Concertone
MarkingsStamped onto bridge in black: GROVER
Stamped onto tuners: GROVER / PAT.
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
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”)
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.
Terms
Credit Line: Gift of Warren Mayer, in honor of his brother, Earl Meyer, 2002
Not on view
Object number: 10134