W.E. Temlett Antique 6 String Fretless Banjo (Pre Owned)

Here we have an unusual piece by the maker W.E. Temlett. This is the Clifton Model by the Temlett makers, not to be confused by the Clifton branded banjo's of the same era. 

This banjo is roughly 100 years old and can be dated back to around the mid 1920's. 

The skin has been replaced and is fresh but it retains the originality by being replaced with real hide. The bridge also looks like a replacement as it shows little signs of age or discolouration. 

24 lug, open back, fretless and six strings. It's tuning machines are original and absolutely beautiful molded ivoroid. It has an ebony fingerboard with a thick maple/ebony/maple lamination. The bulk of the neck looks to be made of mahogany. 

The tone ring is made from solid wood which by the grain structure looks to be a light mahogany. 

The lug fittings are flat head screws which look to be all original.

It has a beautiful ivoroid tailpiece mounted to the rectifyier lug.

The nut is made from bone.

It plays really well and sounds lovely, a really rich tone but still with a lot of projection. 

It's fitted with standard tension nylon strings. 

Comes with a deluxe Canadian hard case which retails for almost £200.