banana - Posted - 11/12/2009:  16:32:58

---

Well folks for a casual phone interview where I was just spouting off the top of my head, this online article in The Collectors Weekly:

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/art...ll-levinger/

is a pretty good primer on banjos and has some good pictures along with it.
Thanks


Banana

plunka5 - Posted - 11/12/2009:  17:11:47

---

Great to hear that you got your RB-1 back Lowell. That's a great-looking banjo...that's the one with an original ring in it as well, correct? I bet your a very happy man!

banana - Posted - 11/12/2009:  18:04:38

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by plunka5

Great to hear that you got your RB-1 back Lowell. That's a great-looking banjo...that's the one with an original ring in it as well, correct? I bet your a very happy man!

---

Happy indeed. The thing sounds as great as I wanted to remember it. Got that crack when pushed and sweet as can be when caressed. Either I inferred or Winnie implied that the ring was an original one as I recall. But I sure wouldn't bet the farm on it. And now that I'm older and wiser ..... I doubt it.


Banana

NYCJazz - Posted - 11/12/2009:  21:11:57

---

Thanks for giving the Silver Bell a lousy review for BG! Keep those prices low!

Don't tell OME the SilverSpun ring isn't suitable for BG, either!

BTW Bacon Banjo Co made B&D instruments. Day's name never made it into the official company name.

Here's one of those wacky Paramount/Martin guitars:

http://www.vintageinstruments.com/m...fulpage.html

I'm hoping to run across my first good banjo... a Paramount B stolen on my my 20th birthday in 1978!

Nathan

mainejohn - Posted - 11/13/2009:  06:00:23

---

Regarding the recovery of your stolen banjo: I had a similar experience about 4-5 years ago when a banjo I had made was stolen from my daughter's apartment in Chicago, and a police report was filed. I posted it on mugwumps stolen instument list and six months later a guy who had bought it at a flea market contacted me, as he had googled the info engraved on the inside of the rim and was directed to the mugwumps list. He wanted me to pay him what he had paid for it at the flea market, which I reluctantly did, although I understand I could have just had the police department retrieve it with no compensation to him. Did you consider just going to the police and having them retrieve it as you had at one time filed a police report?

Cheers,
John Coleman
Scarborough, Maine

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 11/13/2009:  07:36:27

---

Very good reading. That old RB-1 of yours looks to be gold-plated (?) and with a different headstock. What's its story (prior to your buying it the first time)? Does it have a tone ring?

BTuno - Posted - 11/13/2009:  17:50:44

---

Hey Banana: I dig that cool upper co-rod, Gibson factory custom order no doubt . Any clue about that tone flathead ring?
Nice to see ya here!
Bruce

"Ya gotta get all them tunes in yer head"

banana - Posted - 11/13/2009:  23:44:03

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ira Gitlin

\ That old RB-1 of yours looks to be gold-plated (?) and with a different headstock. What's its story (prior to your buying it the first time)? Does it have a tone ring?

---

That style headstock appears on quite a few RB-1's. The gold plating was no doubt done either by Winnie or a previous owner but I think by Winnie maybe through Roger Sprungs plating connection. But I really don't know. Nor do I know the origin of the flat head tone ring. And to answer another question .... the police report was filed in 1966 and amazingly enough the New York police now have more important things to do.


Banana

---

Edited by - banana on 11/13/2009 23:45:01

aroblin - Posted - 11/14/2009:  04:36:29

---

Hey, Banana--

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, experience and expertise.

Best wishes and lots of respect to you, brother...

Andrew

Haskells RB3 - Posted - 11/14/2009:  21:09:30

---

Thats a great story and article Lowell ,I saw the RB1 on your website. Ive talked to you a few times on the phone and at the guitar show in Marin but never realized you were in the Youngbloods. Thats to cool.

---

Edited by - Haskells RB3 on 11/14/2009 21:10:25