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  • Image 1 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
    The akonting is the traditional folk lute of the Jola, a West African people found in Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. With its skin-headed gourd body, two long melody strings and one short drone string, it is thought to be an important forerunner of the American 5-string banjo. This modern version features a round neck of Jamaican mahogany; a 10-1/2" diameter gourd with skin head, wooden bridge, and sound hole; and three strings with handmade tuning pegs.
    The exact appearance of this item may vary.
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  • Image 2 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 3 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 4 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 5 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 6 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 7 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 8 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 9 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 10 of Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany - SKU# MAK17-2 : Product Type Other Banjos : Elderly Instruments
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  • Round neck of Jamaican mahogany
  • No frets
  • 10 1/2" diameter gourd with skin head and wooden bridge
  • Soundhole cut in side of gourd
  • Three strings with handmade tuning pegs of aged purpleheart
  • Fluorocarbon strings
  • Total length about 49", longest string about 35", shortest about 20"
  • Handmade by Jeff Menzies

Menzies Gourd Akonting, Jamaican Mahogany

Expert Setup
Limited Warranty
New

SKU: MAK17-2

Regular price
$695 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$695 USD
Experience the Elderly Difference
The akonting is the traditional folk lute of the Jola, a West African people found in Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. With its skin-headed gourd body, two long melody strings and one short drone string, it is thought to be an important forerunner of the American 5-string banjo. This modern version features a round neck of Jamaican mahogany; a 10-1/2" diameter gourd with skin head, wooden bridge, and sound hole; and three strings with handmade tuning pegs.
More Details

More Details

  • Round neck of Jamaican mahogany
  • No frets
  • 10 1/2" diameter gourd with skin head and wooden bridge
  • Soundhole cut in side of gourd
  • Three strings with handmade tuning pegs of aged purpleheart
  • Fluorocarbon strings
  • Total length about 49", longest string about 35", shortest about 20"
  • Handmade by Jeff Menzies