Washburn Tenor Banjo 1920s

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1920s Washburn Tenor Banjo (Lyon & Healy) – Highly Ornate & Beautifully Preserved with Original Accessories

During the 1920s jazz age, Chicago-based Lyon & Healy built some of the most stunning, premium-quality instruments in the world under their premier Washburn brand name. This 1920s Washburn tenor banjo is an absolute knockout—a notably fancy, high-grade model that showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and ornate visual styling that defined the golden era of banjo manufacturing.

From top to bottom, this instrument features beautiful, intricate designs wrapping all the way around the resonator. It is a stunning piece of acoustic history that is structurally sound, highly playable, and remarkably complete.

Rare Original Accessories Included

What truly sets this Washburn apart is the presence of its original, factory-installed components that are almost always missing after a century of use:

• Original Pickguard: It retains its original pickguard, which is in awesome shape and remains securely attached to the instrument.
• Original Armrest: The factory-correct vintage armrest is intact and in great condition.
• Elton Bridge Attachment: It features its original bridge complete with a rare, period-correct Elton mute attachment mounted directly to the top of the bridge. This allows you to easily adjust the resonance and tone of the head for a sweeter, more focused jazz pulse.

Condition, Playability & Setup

Overall, this banjo has survived the last hundred years beautifully and is a wonderful, highly functional player:

• Fingerboard & Frets: True to its history as a loved and played instrument, there is some honest playing wear on the fingerboard and some fret wear, particularly in the lower positions. However, it still notes clean, feels great up and down the neck, and plays well overall.
• The Case: This banjo comes tucked inside its original hardshell case. While the original leather handle has deteriorated from age, the case itself is otherwise in good, structurally solid shape and provides excellent protection and provenance for the instrument.

Whether you are a traditional jazz multi-instrumentalist, a Celtic tenor player looking for a world-class upgrade, or a collector of fine pre-war Chicago instruments, this fancy Lyon & Healy Washburn is a rare find in this level of completeness. It looks incredible, plays beautifully, and barks with that classic, crisp 1920s tone.

At Joe’s Vintage Guitars, your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind every instrument we sell, and we want you to feel completely confident in your purchase. That’s why we offer a 7-day return policy with no restocking fee. Take a full week to inspect, play, and fall in love with your new guitar. If for any reason it isn’t the right fit, simply return it in the same condition for a full refund—no hidden fees, no hassle. We know that buying a vintage instrument is a big decision, and we’re committed to making the process as comfortable and transparent as possible. Shop with peace of mind knowing that every guitar from Joe’s Vintage Guitars is backed by honest service and years of expertise.