I have a Great Lakes Banjo that I bought new in about 1977. It has a rose inlaid on the peghead. serial number chalked in resonator is 206. Just looking for some info on it. Thanks. Also does anyone know what type of tailpiece came on it originally?
13 Comments |
 | Tonecaster says:
3/27/2012 2:06:20 PM
Hi Dana,
I'll send a note to Mark Zimmerman and ask him.
Russ
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 | stringman711 says:
3/27/2012 2:17:29 PM
Thank you very much Russ! I appreciate what you can find.
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| Tonecaster says:
3/27/2012 2:47:58 PM
Years and years ago I use to go and see you play at those jams ... I think in Melvindale? Grew up in Allen Park. :)
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| stringman711 says:
3/27/2012 2:52:03 PM
Thank you very much Russ! I appreciate what you can find.
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| stringman711 says:
3/27/2012 2:55:53 PM
Sorry Russ. I don't know why that posted twice! If it was Melvindale, That would have been at the Kessey Ice Arena in the seventies!
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| Tonecaster says:
3/27/2012 3:19:00 PM
Yes, probably mid-late 70's. I do remember it was an Ice Arena too. I played guitar in a band called Bad Axe and we played Ahab's in Wyandotte and around. Guitar was what I played but love the sound of a good banjo!
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| Tonecaster says:
3/28/2012 8:33:45 AM
Here is the info from Mark:
Russ/Dana,
This is the #5 model which was a slightly upgraded Blue Ribbon. It should have a 3/4" maple rim capped w/ebony and flathead tonering. The tailpiece was Kershner Unique repro and tuners by Schaller w/pearloid buttons. Serial number 206 puts it approx. first half of 1975. Usually the serial number is also stamped in the rim to the right of the coordinator rods as you sight down the neck, but not always
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| stringman711 says:
3/30/2012 1:17:40 PM
Thanks, Russ, Mark! any idea on the value of this?
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| Tonecaster says:
3/30/2012 1:29:14 PM
Dana,
A few years ago the market was better. Here is one that sold a few years ago.
banjobuyer.com/banjo/9932
You don't see many for sale. Here is one that sold a few months ago on eBay.
ebay.com/itm/1970s-Great-Lake-...00wt_1202
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| stringman711 says:
4/9/2012 8:42:28 AM
Russ, do you know what type of tone ring was used in these banjos?
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| Tonecaster says:
4/9/2012 9:10:12 AM
I'll see Mark tonight and ask him but I believe some models used tone rings that were unique to Great Lakes.
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| Tonecaster says:
4/9/2012 6:15:39 PM
Dana,
Mark says he doesn't think the record will tell him what is on the banjo. It could be a 5 star or a Liberty as they got some from them or one that they had made for them. If you want to go to the trouble of taking it apart you might find out or ... ? :)
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 | Kurt Kemp says:
6/29/2012 10:18:32 AM
I recently bought a banjo pot with a Great Lakes ring in it. It sounded so much like a Liberty Quadrille I used to own so I hunted down Dennis Lakes (the guy that made them in Ann Arbor MI.), who now lives in Hawaii and builds Ukuleles.
Here is what Dennis said:
"Kurt, early on we used some Liberty tone rings then we had some custom cast for us and then finally we had large tubes centrifugally cast and then they were machined into tone rings and top tension flanges. So it depends on the ring- if it was unplated when you got it, probably one of the centrifugally cast. "
Hope this helps!
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