The American Made Banjo Co., Inc. presents the Kel Kroydon Banjo line. Our reproduction of the ever so popular Original Kel Kroydon Banjo, commonly known as the "Fancy Banjo", and our New Generation Kel Kroydon Banjo line that are featured in this website.

The Original Style Kel Kroydon^® Banjo is one of the most sought after banjos of the 1930s in today's Prewar Banjo market. It features an ornate screened designed resonator, fingerboard and peghead veneer with a painted blue or black finish, with or without a modern style Standard Flathead Tone Ring.

The New Generation Kel Kroydon^® Banjo shares many of the original style banjo features of the 1930s Kel Kroydon Banjo, substituting ebony or rosewood fingerboards with pearl inlays and presentation woods with stained lacquer to provide a more traditional look and feel.

The new Kel Kroydon^® Style 2 Banjo is an archtop lover's dream come true. Play this banjo next to an original and you can't tell them apart. From the deep hollow sound to the growl of the 4th string, this banjo is clean up and down the neck. This banjo features the Dannick Archtop Tone Ring, and comes in with your choice of Mahogany, Maple or Walnut with either Ebony or Rosewood fingerboard.

Click any thumbnail below to view beautiful detail photos of our banjos.

Model 11 Resonator	New Generation Model 10 Headstock	Original Style Model 11 Fretboard
Kel Kroydon Engraved Tailpiece	New Generation Headstock	Blue Tint Model 11 Banjo
New Generation Model 10 Heel	Style 2 Headstock	Original Style Model 11 Banjo
Original Style Headstock	New Generation Model 10 Resonator	New Generation Model 11 Headstock
New Generation Ebony Fretboard	Original Style Model 10 Headstock	New Generation Tiger Maple Neck
Original Style Model 11 Headstock	New Generation Model 10	Original Style Model 11 Banjo

Optional Woods and the Effect On Sound

The sound of a banjo is greatly affected by the type of wood used in its construction. The wood of the neck and rim affect the banjo's ultimate sound. Maple has a bright, crisp sound, while mahogany creates a sweeter tone. Walnut tends to be brighter than mahogany and sweeter than maple.

The Neck

Each neck is carefully hand made and finished by Robin Smith of Heartland Banjo and Guitar. Robin's impeccable craftsmanship and eye for detail have truly made the Kel Kroydon line a professional player's instrument. Our banjos include the standard Robin Smith neck. V-necks and radius necks are available upon request.

Pre-War Era Style Resonator

All Kel Kroydon banjos use Gill Manufacturing pre-war era style resonators. The sidewalls of our Kel Kroydon Resonators are reproduced using the same three ply wood construction found in many original Prewar Resonators. For those who pay attention to every detail, the resonator is an important part of the sound and look of the Banjo. Each Resonator is double bound in your choice of design and color. The rear outer layer of veneer is covered in with the KK11 or KK10 design, tinted to your specifications.

The Rim

Rim woods and construction also have a great effect on the tone of a banjo. We offer Rock Maple, Mahogany and Walnut 3-ply rims in addition to the Tony Pass Thin Skirt® Rim. Each Standard Banjo is equipped with a 3-ply Rock Maple rim.

The Tone Ring

Along with the choice of woods, the Tone Ring is one of the largest contributors to the characteristics of the sound. The Kel Kroydon Banjos come standard with the American Made "Dannick" Tone Ring. The KK46-11 and KK46-10 models have a 1/4" brass hoop.

Floor Sweep Banjos

Kel Kroydon "Floor Sweep" Banjos are a "Professional Players Banjo" comprised of matching spare parts (not 2nds). Each banjo is hand crafted just as our regular models are, but without most of the frills and decorations, and with a resulting lower price. Take a look at photos of our Floor Sweep Banjos. For features and ordering information, please refer to Banjos / In Stock.

The Style 10 and 11 Designs are Registered Trademarks
of the American Made Banjo Co., Inc.