Banjos      

PB 0005 1929 Paramount Style C Original 5 string Banjo.     EXC   Paramount set the design standard for resonator banjos in the twenties and other makers followed suit. Their tenor and plectrum banjos were very popular and many of them were manufactured. But rarely does one encounter an original 5 string model. I've seen quite a few Style A 5 strings and a handful of these beautiful Style C models and 3 Style F's. I love the flying bird motif of the fingerboard inlays and, of course, on the first fret good old Beethoven (or maybe Cupid). Beautiful carved heel. And that prominent volute that Paramount used. There's colorful intricate marquetry that graces the resonator and the bottom and inside of the rim as well as the side of the neck. Serial # 4587. Elegant headstock inlay and Page tuning pegs. Hard shell case.
Price   $5500.00

DB - 00809 ca. 1912 "The Dayton" 5 string Banjo     EXC+   Here's another one from my personal collection that has been a 'keeper' for many years. In beautiful condition and with the unique metal head which gives it a distinctive deep sound. You can hear it in the video clip below. Laminated walnut and mahogany 5/8ths inch thick 11 3/4" rim with 28 brackets, one of which is missing. 26 1/2" scale length and an extended fingerboard giving it 26 frets. Attractive fretboard inlays and "The Dayton" inlaid on the peghead . Straight mahogany neck with good frets. Fricton tuning pegs function well. (loosen the screw, tune it a bit sharp, tighten the screw and adjust to pitch). The label is in fine shape with serial #809. NoKnot tailpiece. Chipboard case.
Price: $2250.00

UK - 0003 1920's Fancy No Name Banjo Uke     EXC +   What a cutie this is. And it is in splendid condition. The fancy cutouts in the metal clad rim are exquisite and there is a big metal tone ring that gives it a big but mellow tone. The two tiny screw holes in the head stock and the oval shadow indicate that there was once an oval placque residing there as is typical of British instruments. The original tuning pegs have a screw adjustment that allows quick and slip proof tuning. The mahogany resonator has a large knurled screw for quick easy removal. Some fancy inlays on the fingerboard. Orginal bridge and tailpiece . Chipboard case . Rim = 7 1/2"   Scale Length = 13 1/4"   Nut Width = 1 1/4".  
Price:   $1350.00

PB 0005 1929 Paramount Style C Original 5 string Banjo.     EXC   Paramount set the design standard for resonator banjos in the twenties and other makers followed suit. Their tenor and plectrum banjos were very popular and many of them were manufactured. But rarely does one encounter an original 5 string model. I've seen quite a few Style A 5 strings and a handful of these beautiful Style C models and 3 Style F's. I love the flying bird motif of the fingerboard inlays and, of course, on the first fret good old Beethoven (or maybe Cupid). Beautiful carved heel. And that prominent volute that Paramount used. There's colorful intricate marquetry that graces the resonator and the bottom and inside of the rim as well as the side of the neck. Serial # 4587. Elegant headstock inlay and Page tuning pegs. Hard shell case.
Price   $5500.00

VB 00032 1928 Vega Style N 5 String Conversion     EXC -   This is a wonderful player as well as a beautiful piece of art. The 10 15/16" head is graced with a lovely, whimsical art deco illustration of two frolicking nudes. It has the simple "rolled over" tone ring. The bottom of the metal pot cladding sits in a ledge that locates the cladding precisely on the pot. The rolled-over tone ring doesn't sit on wood, but is held a little less than a millimeter above the wood of the pot, so the simple tone ring doesn't touch wood. All the hardware is original and in good shape including the No Knot Tailpiece. There are a few nicks and scratches on the rim but nothing major. It has the original dowel stick and the serial numbers match on the dowel and the rim.   (87793)   The 26 1/2" scale length neck is mint and appears to be the work of Wyatt Fawley. Simple (and proper) star on the headstock and Planet style tuning pegs. Here's a video clip of it:

Nice newer hard shell 'bump' case. Price:   $3750.00.00

EB - 0007 Mid teens Clifford Essex 5 String Banjo     EXC   With its 11 inch rim spunover what looks like mahogany and a simple hoop tonering and nice skin head, this old feller gets a mighty sweet old timey sound. Scale Length is 26 3/4" and the nut width is 1 3/16" and the mahogany neck shows wear on the back and is very comfortable to play. Ebony fingerboard has lovely abalone and pearl inlays in it as does the headstock. The tuning pegs work fine. All parts appear original and match nicely and the 15a Grafton Street label proudly graces the dowel stick. Oversize chipboard case.
Price:   $1195.00    SOLD

BU - 0004 ca. 1935 John Grey Banjo Uke     EXC   Very nice little banjo uke from the esteemed English maker John Grey. Birds eye maple back and blue striped maple sides.   10 1/4" head and 13 1/4" scale length. Maple rim and mahogany neck and dowel.   Resonator attaches with a single thumb knob. There is a dark grain line that definitely is not a crack in the heel of which we have large pictures. The letters R B E are stamped into the bottom of the heel. Friction tuning pegs with the number 13797 stamped into the back of the peghead. John Grey& Sons, London on the headstock. The piano shaped case is unique.
Price:   $795.00

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Lowell Levinger - Proprietor