Banjo Hangout - Collector's Corner Forum Feed

Help identifying a tenor banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:33:58 CST

This thing has been sitting around my basement for decades, anybody recognize it and can tell me anything about it, thanks!

70s Gibson Tenor....

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:03:46 CST

Saw a listing this morning and thought I would share. I wish there were better photos in the ad: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/msg/3017395810.html

So I found this banjo case in my attic...

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:50:27 CST

So I was cleaning my attic and I found a hardshell banjo case in bad shape. All the latches were busted and the case is now a two piece case. This isn't the first time I've found musical instruments in that fire trap, so I decided to pull it out before my house turns into a tinderbox.

So what was in the case? Its a beautiful The Bell Banjo. The banjo body looks to be in fantastic shape and its still in tune (well minus the broken string) It actually sounds pretty good for having dead strings and is extremely loud. Unfortunately, it looks like the banjo was getting restored before they stopped. Or maybe it fell apart over the years? Either way there is damage to the fret board.

It is missing several frets and several pieces of the fretboard as well. I am not a banjo player, but I've been wanting to learn. Is this worth fixing, should hang it on my wall, or should I just sell it to someone who can give it the love it deserves?

Since its missing a chunk of the fretboard, I'm guessing that the whole board would need to be replaced. What do you think repairs would run? I'm the stereotypical broke college kid so I'd need to save up for a bit to get this fixed.

Pics here.

1942, flyswatter archtop?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:25:06 CST

http://www.banjohangout.org/classified/28643

Whar is it really? FON, rim, reso, etc? I thought flyswatter pegheads didn't start until about 1949.

Pre war Gibson for sale

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:50:10 CST

I just found that little guy,I thought that I'll pass it along

http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/msg/3017874445.html.

W. A. Cole for your consideration.

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:43:54 CST

Just purchased this little jem.

Opinions on this 'Gibson'

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:45:46 CST

I'm not a bluegrasser but I thought I'd go over and check this out: http://flagstaff.craigslist.org/msd/3015728680.html. Any thoughts?

British Made Pre (WWI) War Hewett's Patent 5 string

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:54:02 CST

This banjo came into my shop yesterday for a head replacement. I thought it was interesting enough that I would share photos on the hangout. The following is a link to some of the history of these banjos:

http://home.comcast.net/~banjopages/Stainer/Stainer.html

Originally, I had suggested to the owner that a Renaissance head might be better than a skin head, for reliability/stability, but It's an odd size (10 1/2") and space for the flesh hoop is limited without modifying the neck heel. I'm going to go with a natural colored calfskin head that I will mount on the existing flesh hoop.

gibson banjo id

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:22:11 CST

Serial# 4020-401anyone know info on this? Looks like an rb4 but not sure. Thnx all!

1970 Gibson catalog listing of banjos

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:47:17 CST

There's a 1970 Gibson banjo catalog for sale on EBay today, and it lists all the models available. Surprisingly at that early date (to me) they WERE offering the All American and Florentine, in addition to the 800, 500, 250, 100, etc.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120914281226&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Standard disclaimer, I have nothing to do with the offered sale. I just thought it was interesting -- I thought these "top" models came out a few years later.

Gruhn; PB-4 flathead almost orig 5-string

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:48:43 CST

Gruhn has a very nice Holy Grail, pre-war, PB-4 flathead converted to a 5-string by grafting onto the fingerboard and neck for $70,000. That's getting downright reasonable for a great banjo.

Nice Slingerland

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:39:49 CST

Troubadour:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Slingerland-Troubadour-Jazz-Tenor-Banjo-/330733103755?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d013aaa8b

My Alvarez Is it a stealth banjo??

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:21:03 CST

Hello everyone: I have just posted some fair (not too good) Pics of my Alvarez on my homepage here in the Album.

I took em with a cellphone but that's all I have for now. I am attempting to I D this Banjo as to Model. (year would be nice too)

I found one that is VERY Much Like it on an old post here but mine does not have the little Bar inlay reading "Denver Belle"

But boy it looks like it otherwise. I know you get a lot of these requests but I'd sure appreciate any help you'd care to give.

It has the customary flathead tone ring and it is pretty nice overall. The reason I called it a stealth is that the Serial Number

is all there is it has NO other markings......(I thought they were required to give Name , Rank and Serial number when captured

Thanks Guys and Gals

Ron

He Won A B&D Serenader Banjo!

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:49:40 CST

From January/February 1949 Fretted News. Dave Herbert won a banjo provided by Gretch for his banjo performance on a national show.

Guess what? The banjo was a Gretsch/B&D Serenader! Here is Dave with his prize B&D circa 1950.

I have been corresponding with Dave Herbert for several months and he has helped me complete a banjo project. Dave went on to have a successful banjo career in television in the 1950'-1960's. He was a TV personality in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Miami. He always had his banjo (later a VegaVox) in the show. In fact, he opened his Cincinnati TV show with "Four Leaf Clover", the Mike Pingitore record that inspired Dave to take up the banjo.

I thought you might be interested in news about a banjoist and banjo from back in the day.

..another highly sought after.............

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:13:46 CST

Left handed "Gibson" bottle-cap banjo!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lefty-5-string-banjo-Gibson-left-handed-with-hard-shell-case-/320901921694?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab73ebb9e

Another 1930 Kel Kroydon

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:27:44 CST

A while back I acquired a Kel Kroydon pot, 9782-3, in really nice shape, missing its resonator..

While trying to decide what to do with it, I remembered a tone ring that an old friend showed me several years ago. He had bought it from an old fellow years before at a festival when the guy showed him “….the only part left of my banjo that burned when my shop burned down…..it was a Gibson……..” My friend bought it and never even cleaned it up to see what it might be. I asked him if he still had it and would sell it….yes to both questions; so I bought it.

When I got the ring, it looked terrible – all crusted black, with a couple of spots of gold showing. So I started cleaning it up and it was looking pretty good, but with no plating left. According to Steve Huber, it’s a prewar Gibson and it must have been from a Granada.

I brush-plated a very thin nickel plate on the ring and turned the rim (one of the nicest I’ve seen) to accept it and reassembled the pot. I put my spare RB-3 neck on it, one I made about a dozen years ago, and a Steve Gill prewar spec resonator. It has a Scorpion bridge.

A couple weeks after I put it together my friend Mike Munford stopped by and played it for a couple of hours. Well………don’t underestimate those Kel Kroydons!

Photos on my homepage in album “Kellie”.

Here's my homepage Soundfile of Mike Munford playing Kellie – fairly long - but some absolutely beautiful examples of Mike’s stellar abilities. Give a listen.

http://www.hangoutstorage.com/jukebox.asp?site=Banjo+Hangout&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebanjohangout%2Eorg%2Fmyhangout%2Fmedia-player%2Faudio_player%2Easp%3Fisjukebox%3Dno%26musicID%3D26441

Avalon by Stadlmair: Who made this?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:36:56 CST

Tenor banjo with Avalon brand name, plate reads "Henry Stadlmair Co Inc. / Distributors / New York". 10.5" rim with a simple solid brass tone ring. I am curious who made this.

I had a five string neck on it for a while: it made for a nice frailer.

(The dowel stick was replaced by a single aluminum rod at some point.)

PAT. MAY 8 88 Any Ideas What This Banjo Is?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 13 May 2012 06:55:03 CST

I'm trying to identify this old banjo. It has no markings other than the friction tuners which read PAT. MAY 8 88. If it's worthless junk that info would also be helpful. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Keith Tuners on EBay, pre-1970

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 13 May 2012 05:27:39 CST

I like watching some of these EBay auctions to see how they wind up, perhaps you do too. These particular tuners are marked "Keith Bump Scruggs" which has not been used since before 1970. These has never been in service and have been refurbed. Bill tells me he saw a pair like this go for about $365 a while back. Very curious to see what these bring: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221018482049?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

pre 1900 open back from Washington D.C.

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:50:45 CST

I was getting some things framed today and the owner showed me an old open back he had hanging on the wall. It looks like a 10 1/5 or 11 inch pot, Dobson style heel, and on the dowel stick it has GL_ _ _ B_D (not sure if this is exact?) over Washington D.C. Metal pot with wood inside. Mahogany neck. Does anyone know of any makers in Washington D.C. pre 1900? I'll go back and get some pictures when I get a chance. Thanks for any help.

Looking for info on this Paramount

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:17:50 CST

I am curious to know more about the model and vintage of this Paramount banjo rim. The neck is a modern 5-string replacement so I haven't shown it. I have seen a few photos of old Paramounts that don't have the decorative skirt around the rim. It has the "Piano-Volume Harp Quality Tone" plate with Paramount and Wm. L. Lange. The rim seems to have a serial number (13-something) located at the tailpiece end (it's hard to read, maybe 5 digits - I think this rim may have been refinished). 11" head with 10.5" inch wood rim.

Any thoughts on the highest and best musical use for this? The previous owner seems to have used it as a bluegrasser but with a no-knot tailpiece. That setup creates some serious overtones on this banjo.

vega whyte ladye 12 inch pot

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:59:18 CST

Ive seen a lot of converted 12"(or 11&15/16ths,or what ever they exactly were) WLs ,usually converted from a style R tenor.

Does anyone have an original 12 " number Two WL 5 string,or know of one.

Bills banjos has an amazing 12 3/4 WL cello banjo(not for sale dagnabit) but i havnt seen any others.

I actually really like the sound of the bigger pot,although a lot of oldtimey frailers seem to prefer the 10 and 15/16ths size.

RB250 rim & tone ring value?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:44:29 CST

Hi folks,

A friend of mine is thinking of selling his original Gibson RB250 multiply rim & 20 hole tone ring. The rim still has the sticker and it's marked Kalmazoo 49007. The tone ring has no markings other than the "MV" he scratched into it himself. His memory is kinda fuzzy but he thinks it might be a 1976 model.

It's in good shape and I could post some pics next week when I see him again. His reason for selling: he swapped them out for a Sullivan rim & archtop tone ring many years ago and these two item are just sitting around collecting dust.

What might be a fair value?

Seeing as he doesn't have a computer I'd be posting it for sale on his behalf if he decides to sell it.

Looking forward to your suggestions,

Bart.

Mystery Gibson 5 String...1200 msrp?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:48:11 CST

Hey Guys,

Just stumbled upon an ad, gave the guy a call and hes not sure what he has. He said he paid about 1200 for it about 5 years ago, and wants 500 bucks. He cant provide and pictures, and its a 4 hour drive....any one wanna take a guess at what I might be going to see? Apparantly it has a wood rim and resonator, but thats about as much as I can get outta the guy. Anyone? Bueller Bueller Bueller?

1930 KK by Gibson

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:20:25 CST

Hello all .

Any one of you has an idea of the value for a little guy like that.

It is very pretty.

Thank you

Stolen Banjo Found

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:30:45 CST

http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2012/05/10/ns-stolen-banjo-chezzetcook.html

1981 GFA 100 FE

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 9 May 2012 15:37:09 CST

I've had this Banjo in my possession since my Dad passed away. He bought it new as far as I can remember (I was only 5) and he played it and maintained it well up to the end. While This Banjo means alot to me I hate seeing it just sit in it's case. I honestly have no idea what's it worth but I can text pictures of everything including the tag inside of if someone can shoot me message letting me know what I have.

Thanks,

Jason 443-623-9197 call or text

Three Octave Regular Banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 9 May 2012 13:19:41 CST

When and by whom was the 22 fret +-26" scale regular banjo (solo banjo) developed?

Gura/Bollman book mentions Fairbanks/Cole about 1889 for Imperial with three octave neck but it seems the innovation was earlier.

National Finger Picks with USA

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 9 May 2012 13:19:37 CST

Is it me or is the price of National finger picks going up?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-of-Vintage-National-Finger-Picks-Round-3-Straight-7-Oval-8-/330725545237?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4d00c75515

1930's Gordon tenor made by Bacon

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 9 May 2012 09:42:44 CST

Hi, I just added a 1930's Bacon made Gordon tenor banjo to my collection - can anyone tell me anything about it ? I'm interested to know what it might be worth. It's in pristine condition throughout and has a serial number from the Bacon Banjo Co. #30296

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77554816@N03/7165572812/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77554816@N03/7165571816/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77554816@N03/7165572812/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77554816@N03/7165576506/in/photostream/

Age of a MB250

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 9 May 2012 05:23:26 CST

I just picked up a Epiphone MB250 that I believe has some age to it. Ho can I tell the age?

Gibson Banjo-Mandolin help

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 8 May 2012 20:31:01 CST

Just wondering what a fair price would be for this old Gibson mando-banjo, c.1917 it belonged to the guy's dad so it is super clean, essentially a one owner instrument. Any info/advice much appreciated, thanks

Help Identifying VEGA banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 8 May 2012 19:18:45 CST

Hey everyone, I recently was handed down a very nice banjo from a family member. I have looked around the internet and could'nt find any information on it. If anyone here knows anything about this banjo and could share some infomation on its history or price, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Pretty Pearl banjo, no maker, what is it?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 8 May 2012 17:27:51 CST

What have I got here? It's a tenor banjo but no maker's mark that I can find. I don't play the banjo (yet) and I don't really know anything about this.

For better or worse, I bought this. Any idea what I have here?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 8 May 2012 09:01:15 CST

Here is the link to the ad with pictures... hope I didn't buy a piece of junk!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400294844291&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1120#ht_500wt_1362

Vega Whyte Laydie pot/Bart neck

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 7 May 2012 18:39:50 CST

I have a Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie that I plan to list but I'm wondering what to call it... it's a Vega conversion that was done some time ago with one of Bart's necks. Do I advertise it as a Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie or a Vega/Bart or what - how do I differentiate it from a totally Bart built banjo. And btw, what might it be worth?

Hank

Gibson ESS signed label inside rim

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 7 May 2012 18:27:00 CST

Does anyone know what was the last year Scruggs' signature was on the Mastertone label on the inside of ESS rim? I wonder why the newer ones do not have this? Did he sign these, or were they copies?

Craigs list TB-3 1925?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 7 May 2012 17:58:36 CST

Saw this today, for your interest;

http://hartford.craigslist.org/search/msa?query=banjo&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=

The Dayton String Instrument Company---WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING!

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 7 May 2012 10:43:58 CST

After a lot of hard work by Tim Canuelle, The Dayton String Instrument Co. now has a web presence.

http://www.daytonstringinstruments.com/

Here you will find a ton of great information about the Company that we have compiled and a database (with photos) of the existing examples from this maker. Also, you can download a PDF of a Dayton catalog ca. 1920.

We hope to add more content in the future, so please stay tuned. Thanks to all who have contributed thus far.

Thanks for looking!

Paul and Tim

Weird looking "mastertone" on ebay

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 6 May 2012 18:14:12 CST

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Mastertone-5-String-Banjo-With-Case-Antique-No-Reserve-/261016116968?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc5c5dee8#ht_500wt_1413

Upside down serial numbers and only one coordinator rod, what might this be?

Good bye ol' Goober

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 6 May 2012 18:03:24 CST

Lots of us grew up with Andy Griffith and the cast. Can anyone identify the banjo in this picture?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2140472/Goodbye-ol-Goober-Beloved-Andy-Griffith-sidekick-George-Lindsey-dies-aged-83.html

can you identify this uke I just bought

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 6 May 2012 12:16:47 CST

Hi all ,

I am a 54 year old noobee I have just purchased my first ukulele banjo to learn on. Can yanyone identify this, its old but all i can afford see pictures

Music store @ 710 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis ??

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 6 May 2012 05:24:33 CST

I'm working on a Slingerland banjo that has this tag on the dowel. The name is obscured... something like Blak***stad. Anyone know of a former music store at 710 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis ?

The neck on Earl's banjo attributed to G W Gower...

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 5 May 2012 15:18:59 CST

....was not made by G W Gower. I was in contact with Larry Perkins today, and he told me that Earl and Louise always contended that the neck was built by Walt Pittman, and later on it was given to G W Gower to have the D-tuner holes plugged and Earl wanted it refretted. Gower ended up replacing the fretboard and plugging the holes.

I apologize for my part in disseminating incorrect information. History should record the facts as laid out in the above statement. There are numerous references to the neck and it's generally been attributed to Gower ... incorrectly. I don't know about you ... but I doubt if anybody knew better than Earl and Louise just "who" had built that neck, and I'm going to take their word for it.

Larry ...... Thanks for passing along the correct history.

Wyatt

Bacon and Day silver bell banjo ukulele

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 4 May 2012 22:16:54 CST

Heres an interesting B+D banjo uke that belongs to an old jazz guy who dropped in for a visit. Ive never seen one like it.

!0 inch pot,17 inch scale length.

photoed next to my 5 string silver bell for a size comparison

How much do you think this is worth? EARL SCRUGGS ORIGINAL POSTER

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 4 May 2012 17:40:00 CST

Found this on Craigslist and wondered how much it was worth. Anybody know anything?

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/clt/2991182325.html

Stolen 1925 RB-4 with Robin Smith neck

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 4 May 2012 15:11:58 CST

Guitar Rodeo was robbed earlier this week and they took my recent acquisition RB-4 BB with Robin Smith neck serial number 8117-17. Please call 877 487-6336 or email guitarrodeo@gmail.com with any information. They took 40 guitars also but I really would like to get that #4 back-it is sweet and I was enjoying it a lot....

Identity of this banjo?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 4 May 2012 09:14:14 CST

Hi all. I recently picked up a vintage 5-string and I'd love to know something about the make and origins of it. It's unmarked besides a small "45" stamped

inside the wooden rim behind the dowel. More than anything, I'm just curious. Does anyone know anything about it?

Thanks!

Blonde RB-800... wait, didn't we do this one already?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 4 May 2012 08:28:37 CST

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Circa-1985-Gibson-RB-800-5-String-Plectrum-Banjo-Vintage-Folk-/360455688609?pt=Guitar&hash=item53ecd551a1

I'm getting a bit of deja vú on this one. It looks familiar.

Vintage 5 string.....Need help

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 4 May 2012 08:20:13 CST

Greetings Folks, I need help identifying the maker........Any suggestions would be great!!! It resembles the Fairbanks & Cole 1881 Flush Fret.....as well as a Buckbee or Dobson. I've never seen any with 48 cobra hooks. Is in remarkable condition....considering its age. Dobson's used a six point star tailpiece....but this one was rotated one click. It has....I believe the original ebony tailpiece.