billy moore - Posted - 11/08/2009:  13:56:41

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I have a 1928 PB 5 conversion with a Frank Neat neck. The pot is all original with uncut rim and archtop ring. Just a ballpark, how much would this be worth in todays market?

afchap - Posted - 11/08/2009:  15:10:55

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Billy, The photos on your home page are not very clear. are the parts gold plated? they almost look like nickel in the photos. Thanks...

Afchap
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness..."

bobdenver1961 - Posted - 11/08/2009:  15:32:13

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Billy,
These don't come up for sale very often so a little hard to tell on price, but over the past several years some tenors have sold for between $7000 and $12,000.

Bob

BTuno - Posted - 11/08/2009:  16:33:22

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Hey there Billy: The only 'comps' available right now are at Gruhn's ($8500) and in the HO classifeds ($10K), BUT both are BBs, AND have been listed for many months. I think BOB is right, maybe closer to the high end. Would you sell the neck separately? Thats been yout main banjo for several years, now what will you play?

BT


"Ya gotta get all them tunes in yer head"

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Edited by - BTuno on 11/08/2009 16:34:07

Haskells RB3 - Posted - 11/08/2009:  16:34:42

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Hey Billy, I 'll give you $100.00 cash , I tried calling a month ago give me a call, I played with the Grits last month ago .Jack

BanjoLink - Posted - 11/08/2009:  16:37:02

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Billy":

Didn't you have this banjo on this forum a while back? Seems like I remember that it was nickel plated, which would be rare, and you (or someone) was inquiring about finding some original gold hardware. I've probably got it mixed up, but I remember something to that effect.

A very nice one with good original hardware, with original neck, would be north of $7000, but how much depends on condition, originality, etc.

afchap - Posted - 11/08/2009:  17:11:08

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$2200.00

Afchap
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness..."

billy moore - Posted - 11/08/2009:  18:25:29

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Wow afchap 2200 is a little off base comaperd to the 7 to 10k responses. I think I'll go with the majority on this one;-)

billy moore - Posted - 11/08/2009:  18:29:03

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Hey Bruce, Yeah I don't think I'll sell it but I was just curious. If I do it might be wise to wait for this economy to improve.

afchap - Posted - 11/08/2009:  19:05:42

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Billy, The $2200 is an old BHO joke. Those who have been around for some time will understand. Certainly not serious, and no offense intended. its a nice style 5. I'dkeep it if I was you. Good luck...

Afchap
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness..."

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Edited by - afchap on 11/08/2009 19:11:23

billy moore - Posted - 11/08/2009:  19:44:32

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Sorry I did not know that one.

The Old Timer - Posted - 11/09/2009:  07:40:23

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I am concerned this may not really be a #5 DeLuxe. No engraving on the metal, as far as the photos show. Engraving and gold plate "make" the #5 DeLuxe.

All the "old" 5s I have seen, the wood marquetry is VERY faded and subdued. the marquetry in the photos looks bright and new.

If you could report a serial #, and also look inside the banjo to see if the bottom of the rim is bound in the tan/aqua/black marquetry, those would help nail down if it's a 5, or a 3 or 4 with an upgraded resonator.

5 Deluxe would have had a Grover clamshell or a Kershner tailpiece, again, engraved with "DeLuxe". I don't think 5s had Prestos. Of course, I realize the tailpiece could have been changed out.

I'm only replying because I'm a 5 Deluxe connoisseur (spelling?), and you asked what it might be worth. There's a heck of a difference in value between a 3 with an upgraded resonator, and a 5 Deluxe, whether gold or "rare" nickel plate.

The Old Timer

"This here man is such a sap, he won't hold you on his lap, unless you are an old five string banjo!" Lester Flatt singing to Pearl about Earl Scruggs as husband material

billy moore - Posted - 11/09/2009:  22:30:43

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It is definately a style 5 rim with the inside binding and the whole works. The serial number also checks out on the list as a 28 #5. I have had several very knowlegable banjo historians look at it, and they all say the same thing. The hardware is nickel but also is all pre war and matching the date of around 1928. They say two things could have happend, #1 the hardware could have been requested or orderd that way from the factory. #2 someone could have switched it out with another tenor or plectrum to get the gold:-) My one friend who has made many conversion necks for style 5's said he has seen others like mine out there,like you said rare, he said back then sometimes Gibson would throw a banjo together with whatever was laying around at the time. He said he has seen a few pre wars with odd parts from the factory with one owner. But the rim is the real deal, old looking and smells old too. I quess either way it doesn't matter cause it's a great sounding banjo, and makes a good conversation . Thanks and what do you think? Bill

The Old Timer - Posted - 11/10/2009:  07:13:18

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Thanks for the reply Billy Moore.

If it's a bound rim, then I guess it's a 5!

I too have seen the darndest parts show up on banjos. Like Granada engraving on #1s, etc.

First time I've ever heard of such a 5 though.

The Old Timer

"This here man is such a sap, he won't hold you on his lap, unless you are an old five string banjo!" Lester Flatt singing to Pearl about Earl Scruggs as husband material

NYCJazz - Posted - 11/10/2009:  08:28:31

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It amazes me that people spend huge $$$ on Gibson banjos, and never actually hear what the instrument sounds like.

billy moore - Posted - 11/10/2009:  09:14:59

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[quote]Originally posted by NYCJazz

It amazes me that people spend huge $$$ on Gibson banjos, and never actually hear what the instrument sounds like.

Who would do that? I am a picker and if their are people who only collect of flip banjos, then I have no respect for them. In order to appreiciate and know what a good banjo is, you have to be a picker!

billy moore - Posted - 11/10/2009:  09:23:51

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[quote]Originally posted by The Old Timer

Thanks for the reply Billy Moore.

If it's a bound rim, then I guess it's a 5!

I too have seen the darndest parts show up on banjos. Like Granada engraving on #1s, etc.

First time I've ever heard of such a 5 though.

The Old Timer

The serial # is 8918-4 and the binding on the inside and outside of the rim is a faded looking green shell and a checkered looking inlay with a faded green in it.
My friend also told me it is possible and he has seen people do this, was replate with nickel because the gold gets so worn. I am leaning towards replaced with another banjo. If it was I'm just glad they used 20's or 30's eara hardware.
]

NYCJazz - Posted - 11/10/2009:  12:46:43

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quote:

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[i] I am a picker and if their are people who only collect of flip banjos, then I have no respect for them. In order to appreiciate and know what a good banjo is, you have to be a picker!

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???

What banjo isn't picked?

billy moore - Posted - 11/10/2009:  12:54:55

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quote:

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Originally posted by NYCJazz

[quote][i] I am a picker and if their are people who only collect of flip banjos, then I have no respect for them. In order to appreiciate and know what a good banjo is, you have to be a picker!

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???

What banjo isn't picked?
A banjo that isn't picked is most likely one bought sight unseen and like you said payed thousands of dollars for, and the probably don't care what it sounds like cause they are a collector. I had a few contact me when I was selling a previous banjo and I refussed to sell due to a few comments they made.

NYCJazz - Posted - 11/10/2009:  13:41:39

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quote:

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A banjo that isn't picked is most likely one bought sight unseen and like you said payed thousands of dollars for, and the probably don't care what it sounds like cause they are a collector. I had a few contact me when I was selling a previous banjo and I refussed to sell due to a few comments they made.

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Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't understand.

BanjoLink - Posted - 11/10/2009:  19:31:33

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Quote: "Who would do that? I am a picker and if their are people who only collect of flip banjos, then I have no respect for them. In order to appreiciate and know what a good banjo is, you have to be a picker!"

Billy, I am not sure (or hope) you didn't mean what you said. I have known great pickers that I have absolutely no respect for and other people who love the banjo (and bluegrass) and couldn't pick a lick that I have great respect for. Talent and musical ability are not character traits and that alone in no way should be why we do or do not "respect" people.

billy moore - Posted - 11/10/2009:  21:20:05

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Talent or musical ability have nothing to do with it. Nor did I say anything about that. I know lots of people with a wide range of musical ability, but they play, that is the important thing. I think you interprated my post a little different than it was intended. My point was I don't respect people that buy instuments "banjos" just to turn around and "flip" them and make a profit, when they don't even play. I see it all the time on ebay and have had some try to buy my banjos just to add it to their collection. Well sorry, I want my banjo to go to someone who will play it!
If that is to far out of line then sorry, That's the way I feel. After all this is the USA where we are all free to express our opinions.

billy moore - Posted - 11/10/2009:  21:23:39

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Banjolink, Thanks for the ethics lesson though.

BanjoLink - Posted - 11/11/2009:  05:39:29

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Billy - no one said you were out of line and could not express your opinion. You are indeed correct there. Also, what I meant to say was that "I am sure (I inadvertantly wrote "not sure") you didn't mean what you said. I guess you did mean what you said and maybe I interpreted it incorrectly.

I am glad to hear that you do not judge banjo players based on their talent level - sounds ridiculous, but there are those that do. Although you have every right to sell your banjos to whom you please, keep in mind that many great instruments are still around to be played now because some collector thought they were worth holding on to. Collectors have their place just as players do. People that buy and flip also provide a service too. Although I may choose not sell to them either (my choice, just like yours), they probably get instruments into the hands of people that will play them. If they make a buck, good for them.

No ethics lessons here - just my opinion!

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Edited by - BanjoLink on 11/11/2009 11:03:41

billy moore - Posted - 11/11/2009:  09:49:22

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Well you have a point about the collectors having their place too. I quess I am taking the few encounters I have had with selling to them personaly. I am also generalizing them, because I'm sure not all the "banjo flipers" out there are like the few I met. (Like the one Rich and Taylor collector, aaarrrrrhhh!) R&T snob! But I quess you are right we still need greese balls in the world.