Guitkits Video Journal #72: Reliance No XX Circa 1920 Banjo Mandolin Banjolin UK England

A Londoner of Scottish extract, George Houghton got involved in building banjos in the 1870s. In 1888, he built a factory in Birmingham which he dubbed Reliance Works. Although many different types of instruments were built by the factory, Banjos held the pole position over the enterprise. Continued by George Houghton Jr until the 1960s, the instruments are somewhat scare this side of the pond. Considering the WWI vintage of the instrument, Guitkit speculates that a serviceman brought it home after the war. The 'XX' designation may be a body size or represent the smallest banjo size offered (as in 2X). A very tiny instrument, regardless.

Meet old Guitkit and hear him introduce himself in his humble way here: Guitkits Intro Video

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