Banjo-Mandolin (Banjoline) B. Busato Decorated Art Deco 1930's / 1940's

Bortolo Busato, an Italian cabinetmaker who became a violin maker, played an important role in the history of violin making in Paris. Born in 1902 in Chiuppano, Italy, he moved to Paris in 1925. His career as a luthier began in 1931 with the opening of his first workshop. Between 1931 and 1943, he distinguished himself by the production of Selmer-type guitars, famous for their rich aesthetic and their ornaments inspired by banjos and accordions. These guitars, sometimes sold without a label, were less expensive than the original Selmers.

Busato diversified his business in 1942 by adding wind instruments and wireless devices to his business. In 1943, he opened a large workshop in the Cité Griset in Paris, becoming one of the city's leading instrument manufacturers. His company produced a variety of instruments, including guitars, mandolins, violins, banjos and others, and became a training ground for future renowned luthiers.

In summary, Bortolo Busato is recognized for his influence in Parisian violin making, in particular through his Selmer-type guitars, the diversification of his musical instrument offering, and his role in the training of future violin makers.

Here for sale is a sublime banjo-mandolin (banjoline) made by Bortolo Busato and decorated in the Art Deco style dating from the 1930s/1940s.

Technical characteristics :

• Table: Resonance Skin
• Resonator: Octagonal acrolaque-plated body
• Neck: Maple
• Touch: Acrolaque
• Width at nut: 30 mm
• Radius: Flat
• Frets: 14 frets (+1 zero fret)
• Scale: mm
• Profile: Rounded V
• Country of manufacture: France, Paris
• Year: 1930's / 1940's
• Finish: Acrolaque / Natural
• Decorations: Inlaid fillets / Acrolaque veneer / Pierrot marquetry on the bottom of the resonator
• Details: Traces of wear and normal restoration given its age / Reinforced carbon rim / Missing a screw below the key / Delivered without cover

Like all our instruments, this banjo-mandolin has been tuned with great care. 

So it has very good playing comfort, with a low action, which makes playing very easy.

By combining the sound and playing of the mandolin with the sound of the banjo, this banjo-mandolin has everything you would expect from an instrument like this, with a dynamic, resonant sound, beautiful harmonics, a good sustain and a typical timbre.