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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/168951
coreyowen - Posted - 01/23/2010: 09:30:31
I was recently visiting relatives in Palm Springs, and a distant relative brought out this banjo that was left to him by an elderly friend in the 1960s. He's wondering about when and where this banjo was made.
As the pictures show, the banjo was well used--the original owner played in bands in San Diego in the 50s and 60s. He drew a chord chart on the head, and his set lists are still on the back of the head. Anyway, here are the pictures:
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...asp?id=13612
I'd be grateful for any information about this make of banjo!
Sincerely,
Corey
Jim D - Posted - 01/23/2010: 09:49:10
Supertone was a Sears&Roebuck brand. They were sold through the catalog. Your "Supertone" was probably made for Sears by Slingerland of Chicago, who was a prolific maker. The Supertone models were numbered with numbers nearer 400 being the low end of the line. Your "Dixie Wonder" is a 414, and thereby a higher end product, which is evidenced by its professional use.
Being a widely available product, the Supertones don't always enjoy the same market value as more scarce banjos of equal quality, but with all the family history so neatly displayed on the head, I wouldn't think your relative would want to sell it anyway. Most I've seen are very playable banjos.
Here's a listing for a similar banjo http://www.musurgia.com/products.as...704121232010
Edited by - Jim D on 01/23/2010 09:49:25
Jim D - Posted - 01/23/2010: 12:40:23
Back in Nov. 2009 Pearcemusic posted a scan of a 1927 S&R catalog page. I believe the $9.95 model is a 414.
Here's a link to that topic www.banjohangout.org/topic/163952
coreyowen - Posted - 01/23/2010: 12:48:47
Thanks Jim!! Is there any way to tell approximately what year this banjo was made? Is it likely from the '20s?
Jim D - Posted - 01/23/2010: 13:32:08
The '20s or '30s would be my guess, Corey... but the operative word there is "guess".
R Buck - Posted - 01/23/2010: 13:56:15
I knew someone who inherited a banjo just like that one. Her grandfather had been a two finger banjo player and she was the only banjo player in her family in the 1970's. It was a sweet banjo. I have never found another but would like to. They were sold by Sears and Roebuck via their catalog in the 1920' and thirties. His was a thirties model.
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