George Teed 6-string banjo, Circa 1870
In 1862, George Teed filed a patent for what is usually credited with being the first resonator banjo. His design was later adapted by Henry Dobson and various English makers for their zither banjos, and was eventually improved for use on tenor, plectrum, and bluegrass banjos. This beautiful example has lovely wood inlay on the fingerboard and resonator, and like almost all Teed banjos, has 6 strings. The back is decorated with a beautiful painting of a country family. This banjos is quite playable and sounds great with gut strings. Note the early brass bar frets.
