Lark in the Morning

Dancing Girl Tenor Banjo

Name: Dancing Girl Tenor Banjo
Brand: Lark in the Morning
SKU: BAN105
Price: 103000.0 JPY
Availability: InStock

SKU:BAN105

¥103,000

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This tenor banjo plays and feels closer to professional-grade than most unlabeled vintage tenors we handle, with a neck that sits comfortably in the hand and a resonator that projects with confidence. If you play Irish traditional music, jazz, or early American styles, this banjo deserves a close look.

Construction & Materials

The banjo features a dark ebonized fingerboard adorned with diamond and arrow-shaped mother-of-pearl position markers, with a small heart inlay positioned near the nut. The headstock carries the instrument's signature figural mother-of-pearl dancing girl inlay — a hallmark of higher-grade vintage production. The resonator displays a warm vintage brown finish, and the chrome-plated arched lattice flange lends it a distinctly elegant period aesthetic. Hardware throughout is chrome plated and in solid working order. The instrument comes with a hard case for protection during transport and storage.

Sound & Playability

Strung as a 4-string tenor, this banjo is well suited to CGDA or GDAE tuning, making it equally at home in an Irish session or a jazz ensemble. The resonator construction projects sound outward with clarity and warmth. The neck feels substantial without being heavy, and the fretboard allows for comfortable chord work and single-note runs across a range of playing styles. The overall setup reflects near-professional quality that rewards both intermediate and experienced players.

About This Instrument

This is an unlabeled vintage tenor banjo — no maker's mark appears on the headstock — but the quality of construction points to skilled manufacture, likely from a mid-twentieth century American workshop producing upper-tier instruments. The distinctive dancing girl headstock inlay and the decorative fretboard markers place this banjo in the tradition of fine ornamental banjo making that was popular during the jazz and dance-band era. It is offered on consignment and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a characterful, well-built instrument with genuine visual appeal and musical versatility. Hard case included.

Care & Maintenance

Store this banjo in its included hard case away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature or humidity changes. Wipe down the strings and fretboard after each playing session with a dry cloth to extend string life and protect the fingerboard. Periodically inspect the tension hardware and bracket hooks to ensure the head tension remains even. If the action or intonation requires adjustment, we recommend having the instrument set up by an experienced luthier familiar with vintage banjos.