for the owners of the classic Fender Artist, Allegro and Concertone Banjos.

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Administrators: momo (owner)

60's Fender Plectrums

From John Gill on 1/5/2021 11:44:39 AM

Hello

Back in 1967 I purchased my first "good" banjo, a Fender Artist Plectrum. I played it for about 15 years and then sold it. Just in the past year I had the opportunity to purchase another Artist from a well known shop for a great price of $750. I had become dissatisfied with my vintage B&D so I pulled the trigger on the Artist. When I got it it was set up very badly with a loose head, ex light gauge strings and very low action but it was in good shape with hardly any wear on the frets and fingerboard. I set it up with a new bridge, medium gauge strings and a head tightening. It now plays GREAT! Big sound, good neck, excellent projection. I've been playing it 4 days a week on The Steamboat Natchez and it's worked out great. We paly outdoors due to Corona regulations and it's been a little on the chilly side lately, but I have to say the Artist out performs all of the vintage plectrums I've owned over the years and I can't imagine why I sold my first one all those years ago. My new Artist is missing it's decal/serial number and it has a slightly different headstock design with pearl inlay that is a little different. The wood overlay on the headstock is much darker, almost black when compared to the redwood overlay that is usually found on these banjos. I suspect it may be an early example.

 Then just a few months ago I had the opportunity to purchase a Concert Tone Custom Plectrum and it's also a great banjo. It's the first Concert Tone Custom Plectrum that I've ever seen. I've seen 2 tenors and a few 5 strings. I guess these are pretty rare. It has the Santa Ana decal with serial number 00767. Gold plated and engraved metal, and carved heel, resonator and back of headstock. Headstock overlay is also very dark. The carvings are not painted and the banjo is in very nice condition with some fret wear. Head tension is around 89-90, same with the Artist. Both have archtop tone rings

Needless to say I'm very pleased with how well both of these banjos perform and I feel very lucky to have both of these as my go to plectrums.

Regards and Happy New Year to all,

John Gill

1 Comments
	desert rose says: 1/5/2021 5:15:13 PM A great pair of banjos, that Concertone is very rare, its likely an early one, you can send me a message and Ill give you what6 details I can
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