Musima Banjolele with Resonator 1960s/70s Made in GDR

Musima Banjolele with Resonator. This is a very nice instrument with a lovely natural wood finish. You don’t see so many of them for sale these days. Very similar in looks to a Dallas banjolele. This banjolele features a Zero fret instead of nut which is a nice feature. Soprano scale length.

Musima were set up of the Second World War and based in the former East Germany. It was a a result of nationalising the musical instrument businesses. They are very well made with lots of quality features. Musima made the last of the George Formby banjoleles for Dallas.

A good choice for getting the George Formby vibe at a low cost.

This vintage soprano banjolele has been stripped of its awful thick varnish and finished with Danish Oil for a lovely natural finish. It’s very robust in build with attractive wood finish.

The banjolele has some nice features:

• Zero fret
• Low action
• New strings
• Pearloid fret markers and head
• Natural finish
• Friction tuners
• Ebony look fretboard and bridge
• Robust construction
• Poker dot heel
• Black and white bridge and nut

The head is original plastic one with a very small nick on edge about 2.5mm which makes no difference to play. A switch to vellum can be accommodated for a more mellow sound.

A minor repair was made to the resonator below the tail which makes no difference to the playing. Probably a result of being dropped at some point. All fixed using Titebond.