Thinking about buying this banjo - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-28T14:06:25Zhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/thinking-about-buying-this-banjo?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A102798&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYes, I see that now, at first…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-11-23:2477478:Comment:1028972013-11-23T17:37:02.224ZWes Merchanthttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/WesMerchant
Yes, I see that now, at first look I thought it solid brass, my eyes aren't what they used to be.
Yes, I see that now, at first look I thought it solid brass, my eyes aren't what they used to be. Hi Wes, look again. Complete…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-11-23:2477478:Comment:1028962013-11-23T17:27:35.436ZJoel Hookshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
<p>Hi Wes, look again. Completely different banjo with entirely different construction. The referenced banjo from Bill's site has a solid brass rim, not to mention that everything else is shaped differently.</p>
<p>The above referenced banjo has a metal clad over wood rim.</p>
<p>Clad rims date from at least 1855, but we are not discussing when construction styles began. The question here is dating and providing a free appraisal surface.</p>
<p>The catalog page posted above is…</p>
<p>Hi Wes, look again. Completely different banjo with entirely different construction. The referenced banjo from Bill's site has a solid brass rim, not to mention that everything else is shaped differently.</p>
<p>The above referenced banjo has a metal clad over wood rim.</p>
<p>Clad rims date from at least 1855, but we are not discussing when construction styles began. The question here is dating and providing a free appraisal surface.</p>
<p>The catalog page posted above is from <strong>1893,</strong> and pictures the exact model of banjo with consistent description. That is a pretty good case that this banjo was built/sold in the 1890s.</p>
<p> This style of banjo answered the call of store stock. "Trade goods" to fill shelves with affordable popular items.</p> Here'e a really similar pot t…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-11-23:2477478:Comment:1028052013-11-23T16:15:03.047ZWes Merchanthttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/WesMerchant
<p>Here'e a really similar pot that is stamped 1867 per Bill. He may have some more information if you email him, I believe his contact info is on his site.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.billsbanjos.com/1867fretless.htm" target="_blank">http://www.billsbanjos.com/1867fretless.htm</a></p>
<p>Here'e a really similar pot that is stamped 1867 per Bill. He may have some more information if you email him, I believe his contact info is on his site.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.billsbanjos.com/1867fretless.htm" target="_blank">http://www.billsbanjos.com/1867fretless.htm</a></p> No way to tell. These were s…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-11-23:2477478:Comment:1028022013-11-23T15:45:02.550ZJoel Hookshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
<p>No way to tell. These were still listed and sold through jobber catalogs well into the 1890s.</p>
<p>The round dowel was used as a labor saving method during mass production. Mass production being a response to major demand. Major demand started in the late 1870s and peaked in the 1890s.</p>
<p>While a cool banjo, it does not have some of the features (like a square dowel) that are attributed to higher quality banjos--it is certainly not a museum show piece.</p>
<p>Despite the opinions of…</p>
<p>No way to tell. These were still listed and sold through jobber catalogs well into the 1890s.</p>
<p>The round dowel was used as a labor saving method during mass production. Mass production being a response to major demand. Major demand started in the late 1870s and peaked in the 1890s.</p>
<p>While a cool banjo, it does not have some of the features (like a square dowel) that are attributed to higher quality banjos--it is certainly not a museum show piece.</p>
<p>Despite the opinions of some, low quality trade goods from a past era are still low quality trade goods.</p>
<p>Is it worth the asking price of $1100? Absolutely not... that is unless you pay that. Then it was worth it only for the exact moment that you put cash on the barrel.</p>
<p>$600 is very high, $300 is reasonable, $200-- it would have already sold.</p>
<p>Here is a jobber's page from 1893 with this banjo. Notice that the price is $7.50 That is about $200 dollars today (take that with a grain of salt). Compare that to other Buckbee banjos of the era at $30 (still not pro level banjos, but made with better parts). Stamp "Dobson" on the inside, that adds +/- $10.</p>
<p>But I digress. $400 max on this one. Not ACW vintage, age--1870-1900 (likely 1890s, how's that for narrowing it down).</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3129095625?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3129095625?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p> Probably mid to late 1865 or…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-11-23:2477478:Comment:1027982013-11-23T14:15:16.737ZDave Culganhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/OlDanTucker
<p>Probably mid to late 1865 or 1866. Just kidding.</p>
<p>Probably mid to late 1865 or 1866. Just kidding.</p> I've already got a bell and I…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-11-23:2477478:Comment:1028912013-11-23T13:21:42.268ZJohn Cohenhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JohnCohen
I've already got a bell and I have a hartel on order. This banjo wouldn't be used for reenacting due to its age. All I'm curious about is how old it is- whether it is from the 1860s or 1870s.
I've already got a bell and I have a hartel on order. This banjo wouldn't be used for reenacting due to its age. All I'm curious about is how old it is- whether it is from the 1860s or 1870s. I'm primarily interested in t…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-11-22:2477478:Comment:1027952013-11-22T20:31:30.607ZJohn Cohenhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JohnCohen
<p>I'm primarily interested in the Civil War period, so 1860s, although I'm also interested in the earlier minstrel era. The seller says the neck is slightly warped but not in such a way that it affects play-ability. It sounds nice to my ears- light and plunky </p>
<p>I'm primarily interested in the Civil War period, so 1860s, although I'm also interested in the earlier minstrel era. The seller says the neck is slightly warped but not in such a way that it affects play-ability. It sounds nice to my ears- light and plunky </p> tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-11-22:2477478:Comment:1029422013-11-22T19:05:35.904ZJohn Cohenhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JohnCohen
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3129095637?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3129095637?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3129095637?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3129095637?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>