The following pictures are taken from the Fretted Instrument News, 1945-1949.  It was the “Official Organ of the American Guild of Banjoists, Mandolinists, and Guitarists,” “An Independent Bi-Monthly Devoted to the Advancement and Culture of the Romantic Instruments.”  It was particularly devoted to promoting “Fret Clubs,” amateur or school groups that played light classical selections on the romantic devices.  Accordions were often included in these ensembles, since “the accordion has now been accepted as an honored member of the romantic instruments’ family,” particularly since “it builds up crescendi, creates contrasts and new shades.”  All of this came before the folk music craze; the guitar was usually presented as a part of Spanish or Hawaiian culture.

Here are some of the ensembles.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)