J.G. Abbott and Son

J.G. Abbott and Co.
John George Abbott from London, started out in the musical instrument making world in 1901 managing the Barnes & Mullins factory, but in 1905 he left and started up his own business.

J.G. Abbott & Co. produced Banjos both branded by himself, and as OEM for a number of other distributors. Brand names he used himself were Amboyna, (for Zither Banjos), Mirabile and Monarch for all other types, including Banjoleles as they became popular.

In the late 1920's his son, also named John George but known as Jack, joined him in the business. Jack also started production of Guitars and Ukuleles under the brand name of Aristone. Though they still made Banjos, Guitars increasingly became the main business. In 1936 Abbott senior retired due to ill health, (he died in 1938), but Jack Abbott continued making mainly Guitars but still the occasional Banjo] or [[Banjolele until he retired in the mid 1950's. In 1970 Jack Abbott was talked out of retirement and made over 200 more Banjoleles for the George Formby society before his death in 1994

The Abbott made Guitars and Ukuleles are still very well regarded to this day, but the Banjoleles, particularly the Monarchs, are considered the best British made Banjoleles of the period