Brand: Kel Kroydon
Instrument Categories: Banjos, SOLD, Tenor
The Kel Kroydon KK-11 Tenor Banjo, along with plainer KK-10, was built from 1929 to 1931 by Gibson for the J.W. Jenkins Music Company. After 1931, the KK-10 was dropped but the KK-11 was transformed by 1935 into the five-string Gibson Style 11 banjo, also known as the RB-11. Many surviving KK-11 tenors have been converted with five-string necks.
Built with a Maple rim and neck finished in opaque blue, the Kel Kroydon KK-11 then received significant decoration. This took the form of faux-pearl for the fingerboard, headstock overlay and resonator back with silkscreened designs. They are definitely eye-catching! While the one-piece flange is the same as used on MasterTone banjos of the period, the tone ring is not. In its place is a small diameter brass hoop on the rim. Kel Kroydon necks may have a truss rod installed, as Gibson models did, but an access for an adjuster was not routed. The tailpiece is stock and the tuners are the original Grover models.
This very interesting banjo has recently been set up at The Twelfth Fret Repair Shop and is in overall very good condition, particularly considering that it is currently at least 93 years old.
There is no serial number or FON (Factory Order Number) on this banjo, which is not uncommon for Kel Kroydons. Consequently it is very difficult to determine its real year of production, and we have taken the ‘newest’ year.
The original hard shell case is included and is in good condition though its handle should be replaced.
- Model: KK-11 Tenor
- Year: 1931 | Approximate year
- Finish Blue and Pearloid
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: N/A, built around 1931 by Gibson at Kalamazoo MI
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 01/05/2024
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 9.025lbs 3.66kg
- Scale Length: 23.03in 585mm
- Nut Width: 1.167in 29.64mm
