View Full Version : Banjo mandolins
fryingpanjo
Jun-11-2007, 8:33pm
How frequently are the mid twenty's banjo mandolins seen with the metal resonators? I've got a couple. A Concertone and a Washburn. I'm putting the Washburn back together so don't have a picture, but here's the link to a picture of the Concertone which incidentally I have up for auction on Ebay.
http://www.mackhooverwhistles.com/images/conc.back.JPG
Mack
8ch(pl)
Jun-12-2007, 3:19am
They were an add on accessory. The tenor banjo was King in those days and I have seen them on a lot of tenors. I believe they were made by Waverley.
Jim Garber
Jun-12-2007, 6:08am
I have one of those around somewhere, in the original box, if anyone is interested.
Jim
fryingpanjo
Jun-12-2007, 8:03am
Thanks Glen. I guess that accounts for not being able to find a record of them. The one on the Concertone is stamped Elton.
There's no ID on the one that came with the Washburn which also has a metal arm rest and a metal pick guard.
The real question is should I present these with or without for authenticity? I see Dennis Pash plays one with rest and guard but not the res. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....search= (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9EBtU55peI&mode=related&search=)
Jim If I get any positive feed back I might consider your offer...
Mack
Hubcap resonators. Very common aftermarket accessories. Elton was a big brand name on these items.
A banjo or banjo mandolin would be "correct" with or without this aftermarket accessory. I usually do better selling the hubcaps separately.
fryingpanjo
Jun-13-2007, 11:44am
Thanks for the info. I couldn't find any reference to hubcaps as resonators, but it is a good description, except hubcaps in the twenties probably wouldn't have worked...
It's good to know that the metal parts are accepted! I'm keeping them on.
Mack
MikeEdgerton
Jun-13-2007, 12:14pm
Elton also made som odd little tailpieces that were popular in the tenor banjo world.
8ch(pl)
Jun-13-2007, 6:53pm
Now that you mention it fryingpanjo, Elton is the name that I have seen, not Waverley. Try playing both with and without the resonator and see what you like. I have a Style K Fairbanks-Vega which is open back. I like it for the effect in accompanying some of my songs. It is percussive and I usually play it softly. I also sing with mandolin and tenor banjo.