Thompson & Odell Artist 5 String Banjo , c. 1890
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Item # 11705
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Thompson & Odell Artist Model 5 String Banjo, c. 1890, made in Boston, Mass., serial # 3343, natural varnish finish, spunover rim, cherry neck with ebony fingerboard, black gig bag case.
Thompson & Odell were a Boston-based music publisher, retailer and sometimes instrument maker in business before 1898, when The Vega company swooped in and purchased their musical instrument interests, as they would with Fairbanks a few years after. This proved a less useful acquisition, and the brand eventually disappeared not too long after. Odell's son continued the music publishing business into the 1920s, when he too sold out.
Thompson & Odell may be most remembered for their production of the distinctive patented metal-rim Luscomb banjos, but this instrument is their from their own branded "Artist Model "line. This is a mid-line instrument for the time; in 1897 Thompson & Odell offered 16 models of "Artist Banjo" ranging in price from $13.75 to $41.25. This one is a neatly made if fairly plain openback typical of the era with solid construction including a more substantial spunover rim than some. The ebony fingerboard has some nice shaped pearl inlay, but overall this is not a particularly fancy banjo by 1890s standards. The dowel is stamped with Thompson & Odell's brand and a serial number; the nicest feature of this banjo is the survival of a complete matched set of beautiful "imitation ivory" (Celluloid) tuning pegs. Overall a cool period survivor and a neat, playable gut-string banjo for old-time styles.
Overall length is 34 3/8 in. (87.3 cm.), 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 1/2 in. (673 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This 130-or-so year old banjo shows wear and signs of play but remains a functional instrument. The rim plating has scuffing, scratching and light corrosion and the neck finish is somewhat worn most heavily in the first position. The fingerboard has some heavier wear in the lower positions as well. The headstock veneer has an old sealed split through the center and some general wear.
The hooks and nuts are mostly a matched set with some close-but-no-cigar period substitutions; all use the same size wrench anyway. The older calfskin head has a small nick on one side but appears to be holding firm. The tailpiece is a period No-Knot (patented 1901) while the lovely original Ivoroid pegs are an original matched set. The banjo plays well with nylon strings offering a sweet, period appropriate sound. It is housed in a modern gig bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.
Thompson & Odell were a Boston-based music publisher, retailer and sometimes instrument maker in business before 1898, when The Vega company swooped in and purchased their musical instrument interests, as they would with Fairbanks a few years after. This proved a less useful acquisition, and the brand eventually disappeared not too long after. Odell's son continued the music publishing business into the 1920s, when he too sold out.
Thompson & Odell may be most remembered for their production of the distinctive patented metal-rim Luscomb banjos, but this instrument is their from their own branded "Artist Model "line. This is a mid-line instrument for the time; in 1897 Thompson & Odell offered 16 models of "Artist Banjo" ranging in price from $13.75 to $41.25. This one is a neatly made if fairly plain openback typical of the era with solid construction including a more substantial spunover rim than some. The ebony fingerboard has some nice shaped pearl inlay, but overall this is not a particularly fancy banjo by 1890s standards. The dowel is stamped with Thompson & Odell's brand and a serial number; the nicest feature of this banjo is the survival of a complete matched set of beautiful "imitation ivory" (Celluloid) tuning pegs. Overall a cool period survivor and a neat, playable gut-string banjo for old-time styles.
Overall length is 34 3/8 in. (87.3 cm.), 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 1/2 in. (673 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This 130-or-so year old banjo shows wear and signs of play but remains a functional instrument. The rim plating has scuffing, scratching and light corrosion and the neck finish is somewhat worn most heavily in the first position. The fingerboard has some heavier wear in the lower positions as well. The headstock veneer has an old sealed split through the center and some general wear.
The hooks and nuts are mostly a matched set with some close-but-no-cigar period substitutions; all use the same size wrench anyway. The older calfskin head has a small nick on one side but appears to be holding firm. The tailpiece is a period No-Knot (patented 1901) while the lovely original Ivoroid pegs are an original matched set. The banjo plays well with nylon strings offering a sweet, period appropriate sound. It is housed in a modern gig bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.