Antique Favilla Brothers Mandolin Banjo "banjolin"

Antique Favilla Bros. Mandolin Banjo, oftentimes referred to as "manjolin" or "banjolin". This instrument was made in New York City presumably in 1918.. based on a pencil inscription on the back of the head, and the likeness of the same make of instruments made around the 1920s.

The back of the banjo head has a production stamped signature - "JOS B ROGERS". Jos, short for Joseph B. Rogers, is a well known drum head manufacturer, and the production of these calf skin heads are renowned as top of the line at the time, and still today. This calf skin head is in remarkable condition... considering its age, a collector of this kind of head will be impressed, no doubt. However they managed to do it, this instrument hardly slips out of tune like other calf skin heads.... and in New England by golly!

Original finish, maple rim and neck, ebony fingerboard, chrome / ivory tuning mechanisms. The original bridge had to be replaced when I brought it for a tune up. I authorized the experts in Vermont to reinforce the neck by adding two screws where the head meets the rod on the back (see pics). Before this fix the action was way too high and not really playable. Having a restoration specialist make this modification was the sensible and surefire way to get those instrument sounding akd feeling as good as it ooks!

Favilla Bros. Guitars was a family owned and operated company that existed for nearly a hundred years. Founded by Brothers John and Joseph Favilla in the 1890's soon after their arrival from Italy. Favilla is painted in abalone on the headstock. Unfortunately, there is no serial number. There is a name and date written on the back of the head - "Frank-J-Graul, April-18/1918, in pencil. I have seen similliar models produced by Favilla dated to 1920. I assume this inscription is as authentic as the Jos B Roger's calfskin head, and thus instrument being produced right before the production boom of the 1920s.

Overall length is 24 in. (61 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 1/2 in. (343 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in.

Comes with the ORIGINAL hardshell case. Interested buyers, please reach out for any specific information, as well as the youtube links to the demo video. I currently have this set up with 4 strings, but its perfectly able to handle 8. I find the volume and action more suitable for me as it is but the new owner can pump up the volume and string all 8 if desired. The tuners are original, pristine, and fully functional.