Alden Composite Orpheum Style Model 5 String Banjo, c. 1990, natural finish, maple rim and resonator, ebony fingerboard.
This banjo appears to be one of Ray Alden's personal designs, based on Rettberg & Lange Orpheum banjos from the 1910's. We call this very fancy creation the "Chubby Frog" based upon one of the fanciful and elaborate pearl Chinese-style fingerboard inlays. The rim and neck are burl maple, with multiple underlays and ivoroid capping and binding. The hoop and bracket shoes appear to be early 1900's pieces, everything else is more recent. A fine player and very uniqie banjo.
Overall length is 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm.) diameter head, and 2 11/16 in. (6.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 1/4 in. (667 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/8 in. (35 mm.). Some light fretwaer and playwear to the Fiberskyn head, otherwise as built. A very good player, with a classic openback sound. Excellent + Condition.
