The National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame Museum

COMPANY HISTORY

Dale Small of Alba, Missouri is one of the few banjo makers in the world today who carry on the traditions of the great banjo manufacturers of the Jazz Age. Beginning by repairing banjos, Small ultimately began making banjos of his own design. At the beginning, playing on his last name, his banjos were small instruments. As his reputation as a luthier grew, so did the size of his instruments. Whether full size or miniatures, each Dale Small banjo has a unique decorative theme which carries through to the engraving and hand-carving of the metal and wood parts of the banjo.

INSTRUMENTS

Dale Small Carousel Tenor Banjo - 1993

The Carousel, takes the whimsical imagery of a carnival merry-go-round and crafts it into a banjo work of art. From the extensive hand carving and painting of the grainless white holly wood to the exquisite shaping and engraving of the gold-plated metal work, the craftsmanship is impeccable and the results nothing less than stunning. From the Jack Canine Collection

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Dale Small Riverboat Gambler Miniature Banjo - 1993

This Dale Small mini-masterpiece tastefully weaves the images of a turn-of-the-century Mississippi riverboat gambler into a spectacular instrument. Familiar playing card shapes are omnipresent throughout decorative engraving of the fingerboard and metal parts. From the Jack Canine Collection

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Dale Small B&D #6 Ne Plus Ultra Miniature Banjo - 1991

In his homage to the fabled B&D #6 Ne Plus Ultra model of the 1920s, Dale Small faithfully shrinks every detail of the original. Construction is of Gabon ebony wood, scrimshawed genuine elephant ivory inlays, beautifully engraved and gold plated metal parts and a lion’s head carved at the base of the neck. From the Jack Canine Collection

Dale Small Hawaiian Special Banjo Taropatch - 1990 - From the Jack Canine Collection
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