The maker Jack. G. Abbot started making banjos around 1890 under his own name but made for various other makers and outlets including Barnes and Mullins, Norton Greenop and Sanders and Papworth. Examples of these banjos are held in the collection and can be fund under the relevant collection name.

At around the time of the late 19th Century and for years onwards many mainstream makers of the time made banjos and did not mark them which allowed other outlets to brand them.

Abbot was a fine maker and made quality banjos. An interesting feature of Abbot banjos was the style of the peg head. The shape remained the same throughout his lifetime and is an aid to identifying an Abbot made banjo.