Q: What years was the flower pot headstock inlay available on the Tubaphone style 3, 5 string banjo? DL A: Roughly 1909 to 1913, the last serial number seen was 30441. Q: When did Vega (Fairbanks plate models) switch the Whyte Laydie models from a grooved/slotted stretcher band to a notched one? Fairbanks plate to F-V stamp to Vega stamp? It is likely a no-name import, and there is no easy way to identify a modern no-name import banjo; there are hundreds of import makers. This is not made by any of the well-known vintage makers. (speaking as one who is a banjo-picker and owner of several vintage banjos myself). Many banjo manufacturers, in addition to making banjos under their own names, made unmarked banjos for others to sell as well. In some cases, teachers would purchase these instruments and put their own names on them, but in many other cases they carry no identifying name at all. Sep 15, 2017 Identify name brands. These include the Star brand by Lyon and Healy around 1890 and Maybell by Slingerland in the early 1900s. The Slingerland name will be located on the strut of the banjo and a seller's name typically on the tuning head.

Vintage Banjo Identification Numbers
Vintage Kay Banjo Identification
Antique Banjo Identification

By nguiver, Nov 19 2020 05:32PM

Origin of the long neck banjo

Having just had a banjo made out of English yew by artisan maker Dave Stacey, this Williamson of Lincoln turns up with a yew neck along with the Grimshaw banjo (London), a Kumalae soprano Uke (Hawaii) and an 1885 Bay State Guitar (USA)... all at an auction in North Yorkshire.

We shouldn’t underestimate how the exponential growth in the production of musical instruments in both Europe and the USA quickly fulfilled the interest in “home grown music” that spread throughout the world in the years following the American Civil War.

Initially it was the banjo, but mass immigration into the US created demand for a wider range of instruments as well as providing the links and avenues for imports from, and exports to countries around the globe: the proverbial melting pot.

The Yew was revered in medieval times for its strength and power when used in the English Longbow. Examples with 170lb “pull” were recovered from ships sunk in the Tudor period. Dave Stacey commented that having squared up the yew neck blank, it then went out of true when cut to profile.

There are a lot of natural stresses in timber and do these stresses contribute to the tone, and hence did mass produced banjos utilise stable timbers for the benefit of manufacturing process and were these necessarily the best tone woods?

Neck clamps

How about this one on the Williamson featured. Clearly the banjo attracted skilled metal workers as well as carpenters... Send us your pictures of unusual neck clamps.

Banjos

Latest Arrivals

DB - 00809 ca. 1912 'The Dayton' 5 string Banjo EXC+ Here's another one from my personal collection that has been a 'keeper' for many years. In beautiful condition and with the unique metal head which gives it a distinctive deep sound. You can hear it in the video clip below. Laminated walnut and mahogany 5/8ths inch thick 11 3/4' rim with 28 brackets, one of which is missing. 26 1/2' scale length and an extended fingerboard giving it 26 frets. Attractive fretboard inlays and 'The Dayton' inlaid on the peghead . Straight mahogany neck with good frets. Fricton tuning pegs function well. (loosen the screw, tune it a bit sharp, tighten the screw and adjust to pitch). The label is in fine shape with serial #809. NoKnot tailpiece. Chipboard case.
Price: $2250.00

UK - 0003 1920's Fancy No Name Banjo Uke EXC + What a cutie this is. And it is in splendid condition. The fancy cutouts in the metal clad rim are exquisite and there is a bigmetal tone ring that gives it a big butmellow tone. The two tiny screw holes in the head stock and the oval shadow indicate that there was once an oval placque residing there as is typical of British instruments.The original tuning pegs have a screwadjustment that allows quick and slip proof tuning. Themahogany resonator has a large knurled screw for quick easy removal.Some fancy inlays on the fingerboard.Orginal bridge and tailpiece . Chipboard case .Rim = 7 1/2' Scale Length = 13 1/4' Nut Width = 1 1/4'.
Price: $1350.00

VB 00033 ca. 1931 Vega Vegavox IV Deluxe Tenor Banjo EXC ++ This is one of the very nicest, classiest banjos I have ever seen. And it rings out loud and clear and plays perfectly. It has been restored by Renee Karnes several years ago and has received basically no wear since then. Here is the original catalog picture and the catalog description. ( $425.00 in 1931 = $7,144.81 in 2019 dollars) Elegance abounds everywhere on this gold plated instrument from the engraved tailpiece to the engraved inlay on the back of the peghead. Also beautifully engraved are the fingerboard inlays and the intricate inlay on the headstock which is as beautiful viewed from the side as it is from the front. There is a comforting feel to the warmth of a gold plated banjo and I think it makes for a richer sound but that could be just psychological. The resonator sides are fancy, it's true, but the back is exquisite with its elegant 'De-Luxe Vegavox' star in the middle. Elegance is also evident in the long back strap extending down the back of the 5 piece laminated neck and the carving on the inlaid heel. Modern hard shell case.
Price: $5250.00

DBM - 0003 mid teens 'The Dayton' Banjo Mandolin' EXC ++ We have another gem here in museum quality that is not only rare but a great sounding instrument. Made by Charles Rauch in (guess where) Dayton, Ohio known for his high quality and innovative instruments. Unique horizontally laminated thick rim of maple and walnut with a metal tone ring. Pearl inlaid 'The Dayton' on the headstock with metal ferrules surrounding the posts of the original tuning pegs. Ebony pearl inlaid fingerboard is extended and elevated over the head. Nice original cloud taiplpiece cover over a replacement tailpiece (original is in the case with one broken tab). The metal label is present and excellent displaying serial number #1506. And the original hard shell case is in fine condition with corduroy interior and in the pocket an original 'D' Dayton tuning key, the original bridge, and tailpiece. 10' Rim 14' Scale Length 1 3/32' Nut width
Price: $1750.00

Gibson Banjos<

GB - 00035 1935 KelKroyden (by Gibson) Conversion VG++ Here's the real dealand you can hear it in the tone. You got your one piece flange full thickness rim same as a Mastertone without a tone ring. The flange is a Nashville Plating Co. replacement since the old one (included) was broken. And we had Larry Cohea install a Mc Peake flat head tone ring and a second co-ordinator rod (the KKrim is originally drilled for it but has only one installed) as well as anice Wreath Patternfive string neck and then set it up perfectly with spikes at frets 7,8,9, and10. It plays beautifully and sounds incredible. Gibson script on the headstock and Planettuning pegs and the fabulous M.O.T. resonator with original lugs. Original case and tenor neckwith original pegs, flange (and broken pieces), and brass rod 'tone ring' are available if you so desire.
Price: $5850.00

Paramount Banjos

PB - 00404 1924Paramount Style C Plectrum Banjo EXC This is a fineexample with good strong sound and great playability. Good neck, frets,etc. and wonderful condition. Nice old skin head. The dove pattern fingerboard inlay is Paramounts most beautiful in my opinion. The Cupid or Ludwig Van Beethoven on the first fret is a pleasureable puzzlement. And the high grade mahogany used in the neck and the maple capped rim and the resonator are beautifully accented by the colorful marquetry usedthroughout. Original Pagetuning pegs in fine condition. Fancy headstock inlay. Carved he

Vintage Banjo Identification