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Dating old 19th Century no name banjos

December 10, 2014, 5:10 am
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As I continue to collect banjos I am faced with trying to establish criteria to date very old banjos produced in the 1800’s.   If the makers cannot be identified I have to go by construction techniques.

 I would appreciate for some opinions from the forum on the following questions.

  1. What is the approximate date of the first metal clad banjos?

  2. Last date that round dowels were extended through the rim.

  3. Earliest date that metal frets were added.

  4. Earliest date that fifth string peg was mounted parallel to the fret board as opposed to through the neck.

     

    Any other construction tip offs for dating would be appreciated.  

     

    Thanks

    Mike

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Gibson Tenor Value

December 10, 2014, 12:42 pm
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This banjo is available near me and I am curious what a speculated value would be. Thinking with the paddle head late 50's or early 60's, but I'm not sure.Thanks!

 

 

 

 

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1960s Gibson bowtie serial number PP35...

December 10, 2014, 2:51 pm
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Decided I wanted to revisit this subject since my last post took off on a tonering tangent. This RB-250 neck was on an Ebay banjo purchased out of Canada. Thin rim, all Gibson hardware. 

Serial number stamped into headstock is PP35....

Never seen this before....has anyone else?

 


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RB-00 Dating, "Kentucky Slim"

December 10, 2014, 4:04 pm
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Hello all.

Would love to hear any thoughts on this banjo. How might I go about dating it? What can you tell me about Kentucky Slim? What's the best thing to do with it - part it out, or keep it as is?

The gentleman I bought it from said it was owned by either his grandfather or great uncle by the name of Grubbs, and apparently they played on television at some point.

There are a dozen or so more pictures on my user page here.


Thanks!

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Please help with a Stelling Superstar

December 11, 2014, 8:51 am
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  Hello folks, I joined your forum in hopes I can get some help. I inherited a Stelling Superstar but I cannot figure out where to find the identifying numbers on the banjo. If anyone can help I would appreciate it very much. The banjo is in very good shape, sounds really nice but I will need ot clean it off some. Ultimately I am looking to sell but I would appreciate any help toward better identification.

 

Thanks so much

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flea bay listing, ESS?

December 11, 2014, 9:08 am
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Supertone Identification

December 11, 2014, 9:21 am
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I have a vintage banjo with no markings on it, but obviously very old. Recently I put it on Ebay as "unknown" and I was contacted by the owner of a Supertone as being as such. He provided the following description, which I included in my Ebay ad: " This banjo is unlabeled, but has all the characteristics of a 1920's Supertone, (sold by Sears). The peghead shape, tailpiece, pot hardware and inlay design are 100% characteristic of Supertones."

The banjo sold, but was returned by the buyer who doubted it's authenticity. He acknowledged he's not expert in banjos, and neither am I. I want to relist it, but I would like to know how I can verify it being a Supertone. I have 9 detailed pictures I can provide. I live in Kansas City and would be pleased to be able to meet up with an expert somewhere.

A related question: what vintage is that style of case? It opens not on the side w/ a hinge, but flap on the round end. It seems to me that would be a good way to establish the time it was produced.

Thank you, and I look forward to your comments.

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Weymann Style A Question(s) and thanks

December 11, 2014, 9:54 am
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First I want to say I don't post very often but I read these pages all the time and want to thank everyone on this forum for their knowledge and willingness to give advice, and for keeping me up late at night reading it. Thanks once again.  

Part two: So, if you own a banjo you must know everything about them because when someone passes and leaves their banjo to their kid who doesn't play the banjo you always seem to end up trying to sell it for them and such is the case with a one owner Weymann Style A Orchestra Tenor Banjo 23 inch scale / 19 frets / 11 inch head with original plush lined case.  The banjo is in stunning condition with very little wear (the kid said it was kept under the bed for the last 40 years) and only minor pitting on the inner ring. I had the local Luthier restring and check it out and he pronounced it ready to play and in great condition. 

Part three:  Spent the day searching the web and forums and came up with only one previous sale of this model, and it was in terrible shape, that sold at auction for $2,600.  I am taking that as someone absolutely had to have it and paid for it that way..  So I am thinking I'll help the kid sell it in the $1100 to $1600 range based on similar Weymann models of the same period. Thoughts?

Part four:  Again, thanks to you all you do it best.

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Did Vegaphone Banjos Have a Tubaphone Tonering?

December 12, 2014, 4:54 am
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Did Vegaphone banjos have a slightly different type of tonering, unique to the Vegaphone model.  OR, did Vega use a standard tubaphone tonering, in their Vegaphone models.  I've been reading archived articles.  I gotta admit, I'm more confused now, than before I did the reading.

There is a 12 inch Vegaphone I'm looking at.  It describes the tonering as a tubaphone I already have a 1925 Vega Imperial Electric,  which has a 12 inch rim.  It is a joy to own and play, probably my main instrument for now.  It has a pieplate resonator, and the dealer threw in one of the old Vega shallow resonators, just to be nice.  I think it sounds best with the pieplate resonator myself.

I'm wondering if the banjo I'm looking at is going to be much different than the Vega I already own.

Thanks All.

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Another Supertone Question

December 12, 2014, 9:58 am
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I have a Supertone Dixie Wonder, with the label clearly marked "514."  I've seen several virtually identical Dixie Wonders marked "414."  Anyone know the difference?  (besides 100!)

 

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one piece flange with "95" in raised numbers on bottom

December 12, 2014, 10:21 am
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Have a one piece flange here that came off a very nice Gibson copy banjo with excellent quality hardware. If you place the flange face down, looking at the bottom of the flange, at the 5 o'clock position, there is a number "95" that is in raised lettering...meaning it is part of the casting...

Is anyone familiar with the maker?

 

Lou

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Vintage Gold Star labeling question

December 12, 2014, 12:21 pm
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Hey All - I just bought a pre-85 G12.  Unfortunately I won't get my hands on it for a week or so but I'm pretty excited as its my first big boy banjo.  The label inside states its a G12 HF but it is clearly a wreath pattern and even has the word wreath at the base of the neck.  I'm buying it from the original owner and they claim that its pretty much original other than some spikes and what not.  I also just noticed a 84 G 100 that apparently is a HF model as well but it too clearly has a wreath pattern.  I know HF stands for Hearts and Flowers so I'm wondering if its not unusual for these early Gold Stars to be mislabeled.  Any ideas on what may be going on?  Thanks!!!

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Early banjo I.D.

December 13, 2014, 3:25 am
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I recently acquired a puzzling banjo that I'm trying to identify and approximately date.  It's 34'' long with an 11''  single-lap rim.  The dowel is interestingly carved and extends into the rim, ending in a bulb.  There is a square shaped patch of wood reinforcement where the dowel goes through the rim, as is seen on many Boucher banjos and some other early minstrel banjos.  It has six brass bracket shoes very similar (possibly even identical) to those found on some Boucher banjos.  One of the nuts and hooks isn't original, but the others are of the non-tapered square variety.  The banjo has a number of interesting decorative plates on it similar to those on 1860s Tilton banjos and some other banjos from the 1850s and 1860s I've seen.  The neck has an interesting heel shape.  The tuners are gears- the peghead tuners seem typical of those found between 1850 and 1900.  The fifth string tuner is unique- I've never seen another like it.  The rim and the heel of the neck (if not the entire neck) had a very nice rosewood veneer at one point.  Overall the condition is quite good.  It would benefit from a little cleaning, and as you can see it needs a new head and a tailpiece.  Somebody just stuck a cheap metal tailpiece on their rather haphazardly.  Have you seen a banjo like this before, or any others with this hardware?

 

 

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nice bacon on goodwill...

December 13, 2014, 10:31 am
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Hohner LE Artist Banjo

December 13, 2014, 11:25 am
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Back in the late 70's I purchased this banjo. The store I bought it from I had been doing business with for years. They said that their Hohner Rep came in with this banjo saying it was a prototype of a new banjo they were testing. I dont know if it ever made it in to production or not, but I have never seen another one. I quit playing years ago and put it in a closet and pretty much forgot about it. I just pulled it out and was wanting to know more about it. I cant find any reference to it anywhere and I was wanting to know if anyone here knows anything about it.

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Greg Rich Look Alike Contest.....

December 13, 2014, 2:43 pm
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Just got a NEWS FLASH....... There will be a  Greg Rich Look alike contest in Maryville Tn....Jan 9th, 10th and 11th......  The winner will be run out of town!   IMMEDIATELY

 

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Tone ring identification

December 13, 2014, 4:29 pm
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I need help to identify a tone ring that I bought not so long ago here on the classified. 

I usually write all the details in a small book of parts that I have but for this one it seem that I forgot. 

If someone know what brand this is it would help me a lot. 

I want to try it in a new walnut banjo that I am presently finishing and it would be  helpful to know the maker and maybe comments on how it sounds on other banjos

The tone ring is 53 onces and stamp KO427 

Thank you  

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the ace

December 14, 2014, 9:34 am
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I have a ludwig The ace 4 string with case and tuning tools ?

It has not been played since early 1950's

It appears to be in very good condition

Where can I get an appraisal in or near edmonton canada

Thanks in advance for any assistance

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Old tenor banjo... Can anyone tell me anything else about it?

December 14, 2014, 10:31 am
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Hey all! This is my first post on the forum. I play mandolin, ukulele and guitar but am new to banjo. A friend has offered to sell me his old tenor banjo. It needs the nut replaced and some strings - hopefully not much more than that. I want to offer him a fair price for it but don't really know. He bought it at a pawn shop 16 years ago for $100. Assuming it's playable after the nut and strings, I'm thinking maybe $50 or $75...? Does anyone know anything about this model? Approximate age? Are there any glaring problems that you can see from the pics? Thanks for your expertise on this!

Bob


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Ebay score- eagle bracket Buckbee?

December 14, 2014, 12:05 pm
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Just grabbed a nice 1870's "ukulele sized banjo"(the sellers description) off ebay.

The paddle headstock and eagle brackets suggest early buckbee to me, but I'm less familiar with this style of instrument than i should be.

Tiny rim,looks about 9-10 inches from the photos.

I tried to link the photos/listing from ebay but couldnt do it,so will have to wait until it arrives.

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