1970s Granada 5-string Bluegrass Banjo

Sweet vintage banjo was made in Japan at the famed Matsumoku factory

Here is a real treat, the first stringed instrument that is not a guitar to be featured here at SCGM. This one belonged to a family friend and when he was looking to get rid of it, the chance was too good to pass up. In nearly 25 years of playing, this is the first time a banjo has passed through these hands, but this is a very nice instrument, even though it may not be played very often.

Granada instruments were made at the Matsumoku factory, known for cranking out guitars for Yamaha and Ibanez at different times and still revered today for making both acoustic and electric guitars for Aria, like this beauty that we found last summer. While the level of banjo expertise is minimal, both the wood and binding around body and headstock give a hint to the quality of this piece. The binding especially is reminiscent of Gibson guitars of the same era.

This is also the same brand that made a nice classical guitar which found it's way around at the same time last summer. So, that's two-for-two with Granada, if you find one, it'll likely be at a good price. Go for it...

Thanks for looking, more high-resolution photos here.