Unbranded 5 String Banjo , c. 1895
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Unbranded 5 String Banjo, c. 1895, Possibly Philadelphia, natural finish, double spunover rim, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is an interesting and slightly unusual 1890s 5-string banjo with a mix of features that defies easy attribution. The neck at first glance resembles the work of S.S. Stewart in Philadelphia, especially the shape of the headstock and heel carving. The neck is however not built like a Stewart at all, but is of rather stouter construction topped by a thick ebony fingerboard with multiple colored wood underlays. Another odd construction feature is a very neatly spliced-on headstock, something not often seen on American banjos of this period. The fingerboard has attractive shaped abalone inlay with some rudimentary engraving, which continues on the headstock.
The 10 3/4" rim is also somewhat unusual, spunover with metal inside and out fitted with fairly generic hardware. This is a very good quality instrument but carries no markings at all, probably made to be sold from a mail order catalog or unbranded retailer. We can't tell you who made it OR who sold it, but it is a nice good quality instrument that in some ways makes for a better player than many of the more familiar banjos of this type and period.
Overall length is 35 1/4 in. (89.5 cm.), 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/8 in. (5.4 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.).
Considering it is something like 130 years old this is a pretty original and well preserved instrument overall. The finish on the neck appears original and shows only minor wear, while the rim and hardware have a nice aged-in patina but are not heavily corroded. The tuners and a complete set of hooks and nuts appear original to the instrument, while the tailpiece is a repro no-Knot of more recent vintage.
The neck is far straighter than most period Stewarts (probably thanks to the heavier ebony fingerboard and wood underlays) and the original frets show virtually no wear. This is an excellent player, set up with an older plastic head and Nylon strings and with its smaller head and long scale offers up a snappier sound than many of its type. It may be anonymous, but this is a quality instrument and a lot of fun to play. It lives in a battered but fairly high quality 1920s hard case. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This is an interesting and slightly unusual 1890s 5-string banjo with a mix of features that defies easy attribution. The neck at first glance resembles the work of S.S. Stewart in Philadelphia, especially the shape of the headstock and heel carving. The neck is however not built like a Stewart at all, but is of rather stouter construction topped by a thick ebony fingerboard with multiple colored wood underlays. Another odd construction feature is a very neatly spliced-on headstock, something not often seen on American banjos of this period. The fingerboard has attractive shaped abalone inlay with some rudimentary engraving, which continues on the headstock.
The 10 3/4" rim is also somewhat unusual, spunover with metal inside and out fitted with fairly generic hardware. This is a very good quality instrument but carries no markings at all, probably made to be sold from a mail order catalog or unbranded retailer. We can't tell you who made it OR who sold it, but it is a nice good quality instrument that in some ways makes for a better player than many of the more familiar banjos of this type and period.
Overall length is 35 1/4 in. (89.5 cm.), 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/8 in. (5.4 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.).
Considering it is something like 130 years old this is a pretty original and well preserved instrument overall. The finish on the neck appears original and shows only minor wear, while the rim and hardware have a nice aged-in patina but are not heavily corroded. The tuners and a complete set of hooks and nuts appear original to the instrument, while the tailpiece is a repro no-Knot of more recent vintage.
The neck is far straighter than most period Stewarts (probably thanks to the heavier ebony fingerboard and wood underlays) and the original frets show virtually no wear. This is an excellent player, set up with an older plastic head and Nylon strings and with its smaller head and long scale offers up a snappier sound than many of its type. It may be anonymous, but this is a quality instrument and a lot of fun to play. It lives in a battered but fairly high quality 1920s hard case. Overall Excellent - Condition.