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Banjo | Beatles memorabilia

Writer: faBgear
faBgear
Jun 29
2 min read

Updated: Aug 27

Beatles-themed musical instruments became hot ticket items to manufacture in the mid-1960s. One piece that went into production was the banjo. It seemed like a stretch, keeping with the theme, since the band did not feature that instrument. However, it did have a legendary connection to John Lennon, as his mother, Julia, taught him to play Buddy Holly's classic "That'll Be The Day" on her banjo. This appreciation for a stringed instrument carried his fascination to the next instrument... the guitar.

Beatles banjo instruction

Mastro Musical Instruments in New York manufactured the 22" long (56cm) piece. The instrument had four strings, accompanied by an instruction booklet (labeled as a "self-teaching method"). The creation was gold and cream with four headpins and a bridge. Along with facsimile signatures, the banjo's white head featured headshots of each group member in red or blue ink. The description on the skin read "The Beatles Banjo" with "Mastro Industries...The Beatles...Made in the U.S.A. under license." The gold headstock displayed the words "Mastro Banjo" in red and blue ink.


The plastic banjo arrived either in a cardboard box or attached to a colorful sealed card. The creamy cardboard Mastro Banjo box measured 23½" x 9½" x 3¾" (59.5cm x 24cm x 9.5cm) and displayed a red and black print. Licensed by NEMS, the banjo initially sold for around $12. Additionally, Mastro included an official leaflet advertising various instrumental Beatles items for sale, including the Banjo, Bongos, and a Drum.


Mastro Industries Incorporated


Mastro Industries Incorporated was located at 3040 Webster Avenue, New York 67, New York 10467. Their telephone number in the Sixties was 212-KI-7-5600.


Mastro Industries Incorporated received the banjo sublicense from Selcol Products Limited (a subsidiary of Musical & Plastic Industries in the U.K.) before February 25, 1964. The NEMS agreement was with Selcol Products Limited, 114-116, Charing Cross Road, London, W. C. 2. The date of the agreement with Selcol for the manufacturing license was December 16, 1963, for the ‘different types of guitars.’ Selcol later reported (on May 6, 1964) they could "produce 130,000 guitars a month."



You might also like: Beatles Beach Hat        Beatles Mastro guitars/ukuleles





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