Martin D-28 1933 Ambertone Spruce/Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar #3290

If you love the punch and attitude of a true 1920s tenor, this May Bell by Slingerland 4-String Tenor Banjo brings exactly that kind of energy. Built in Chicago sometime between 1922 and 1926, this instrument comes from an era when tenor banjos were the rhythmic engine of early jazz and dance bands. The gloss black resonator, maple construction, and perloid dot inlays with crosshatch detail give it a look that is unmistakably vintage without feeling fragile or fussy.

This banjo has the crisp, cutting response you expect from a maple rim paired with a brass hoop tone ring. The 23 inch scale length keeps everything tight and quick under the fingers, while the maple bridge with ebony cap adds snap and definition to each note. The Remo faux animal skin head helps round out the top end just enough to keep it from sounding harsh, giving it a balanced but still assertive voice. It is well suited for traditional jazz, early swing, Irish tenor styles, or anyone who wants that classic percussive banjo sound.

The neck feels straightforward and comfortable, with a 1 3/16 inch nut width that makes chord shapes and melodic lines easy to navigate. Planetary tuners have been added for dependable tuning stability, even though they are not original to the instrument. Nickel-plated hardware and maple throughout keep the build simple and honest. This May Bell tenor is not just a display piece. It is a playable example of Chicago banjo history from the height of the tenor era.

SPECS

Highlights: D 14 Fret Body Size
Back And Sides: East Indian Rosewood
Top: Spruce With 1933 Ambertone Top Color
Neck Shape: GE Modified Low Oval With High Performance Taper
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Case: Molded Hardshell

Top Material: Spruce
Top Finish: Gloss
Top Color: 1933 Ambertone
Top Inlay Material: Multi Stripe
Binding: Antique White
Bridge Material: Ebony
Bridge Style: GE Modern Belly Drop In Saddle
Bridge String Spacing: 2 5/32"
Bridge Pin Material: Bone
Bridge Pin Dots: Faux Tortoise
Pickguard: Faux Tortoise
Rosette: Style 28 Multi Stripe
Saddle: Compensated Bone
Saddle Radius: 16"

Body Size: D 14 Fret
Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
Back Material: East Indian Rosewood
Side Material: East Indian Rosewood
Back And Side Finish: Gloss
Back And Sides Color: Natural
Back Purfling Strip: Style 28 With Black Stripe
Back Inlay Material: Multi Stripe
Bracing Pattern: Forward Shifted X Brace
Brace Shape: GE Scalloped
Brace Material: Spruce
Brace Size: 5/16"
Heelcap: Antique White
Endpiece: Antique White
Endpiece Inlay: Multi Stripe

Neck Shape: GE Modified Low Oval
Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
Neck Finish: Satin
Scale Length: 25.4"
Number Of Frets Total: 20
Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fingerboard Width At Nut: 1 3/4"
Fingerboard Width At 12th Fret: 2 1/8"
Fingerboard Inlay Style: Style 28
Fingerboard Inlay Material: Mother Of Pearl
Side Dots: White

Headstock Shape: Solid With Square Taper And Diamond
Headplate Material: East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Logo Style: Script Old Style Overlay
Tuning Machines: Nickel Open Gear
Tuner Knob Style: Butterbean
Nut Material: Bone

Case: Molded Hardshell
Electronics: None
Label: None

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