So YOU won it! Congrads. I've got an extra 5th tuner ;)

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Originally posted by musekatcher

So YOU won it! Congrads. I've got an extra 5th tuner ;)

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 If I add a 5th string to a Plectrum does that mean our banjos cancel each other out? 

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Originally posted by trapdoor2

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Originally posted by musekatcher

So YOU won it! Congrads. I've got an extra 5th tuner ;)

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 If I add a 5th string to a Plectrum does that mean our banjos cancel each other out? 

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Only one way to find out. 

My Style C  was absolutely piercing.  And I have a Mastertone sitting near by.   I put those Nylguts on, and it was complimentary, but I couldn't keep the 1st string in tune. I think the 27" scale might be a problem for Nylguts tuned to concert pitch?   So, I checked the head tension, and it was tuned to a B (Yikes!).  I tuned the head down to F, replaced the No-Knot with a pre-war 4 string Waverly, and put nickel strings back on.  Much better, but huge loss in volume.  Which is a good thing ;)

I have no trouble with Nylguts and 27" (or 28" or 29") scale lengths. No problem with them keeping pitch. I just put a "Minstrel" set on my Essex and although they're too heavy, they tuned right up. After stretching they've settled in over just a few days. Like playing with telephone poles though...I gotta order some more std. Nylguts from Elderly.

Nylgut takes quite a bit of time to settle in and they really beg to be stretched in when first mounted. If you don't stretch 'em in, they'll take a month to settle down.

I expect the new puppy to be quite loud as well. My tenor is very loud and I almost cannot play it around other humans without some sort of stuffing in the resonator.

Beautiful banjo

The Style A plectrum has arrived! Here's the first pix, I think my tenor likes its new roomie!:

The Plectrum was made prior to 1926...the inside of the resonator is inscribed with a band name and date. "Ebby Mathers Variety Orchestra 1926-1927"

The Tenor is a very late model perhaps mid-1930's.

Tenor on the left, with the "patent pending" mute and late model tailpiece.

Tenor has a pierced skirt that flares out just a bit wider than the Plectrum's. Note different binding pattern between the two.

Tenor with usual yellowing/peeling lacquer. Other than that, the Tenor is quite pristine. Plays great too.

Plectrum headstock. Very clean...too clean. I suspect this puppy's been refinished at some point. They did a very nice job though.

She plays nicely, has just a touch more relief in the neck than I would prefer (IOW, the neck is bowed slightly). She needs a new bridge and a bit of head tightening...but that's about it. No major faults, no missing bits, Paige tuners in great shape...hard to beat!!

Nice 'jo!!! Love the pattern!!! Good goin'!

Nice looking banjos & in real good shape, you must be delighted.....just for a moment I thought you had the seats of your dining room chairs covered in material to match the Paramount head stocks!!...now that would be taking things a little too far. 

Kind of like this?

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Originally posted by trapdoor2

Kind of like this?

They are awesome...Just one more thing I want but can't afford...Thanks Trapdoor. 

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Originally posted by Dr Ralph

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Originally posted by trapdoor2

Kind of like this?

Pic removed for space...

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They are awesome...Just one more thing I want but can't afford...Thanks Trapdoor. 

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 Yah, I know. I wish those chairs were mine!

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Originally posted by trapdoor2

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Originally posted by Dr Ralph

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Originally posted by trapdoor2

Kind of like this?

Pic removed for space...

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They are awesome...Just one more thing I want but can't afford...Thanks Trapdoor. 

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 Yah, I know. I wish those chairs were mine!

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You mean their not yours & that's not your porch...another image of mine spoiled, I was going to ask if, the next time I'm in the good o'l USA, would it be ok for me to call in for a jam...just so as I could sit in the fiddle peghead chair. 

Those chairs would be so cool at a jamming session...

I think that I will build some like that for the new, not yet built deck.  Then you all can come and jam when ever there is no snow on the ground.  

I went back and looked for who built/owns those chairs...

They were built and are owned by luthier Paul Hostteter, a BHO memeber (albeit inactive). http://www.lutherie.net/

I went back and looked for who built/owns those chairs...

They were built and are owned by luthier Paul Hostteter, a BHO memeber (albeit inactive). http://www.lutherie.net/

Hi Trapdoor that was my auction. I should have just sold it here. As far as the refinish I doubt it. I am pretty sure the banjo has spent most of it's life in it's case. I am pretty familiar with it's providence.BTW my wife keeps asking if I got paid for it.

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Originally posted by Dave1climber

I think that I will build some like that for the new, not yet built deck.  Then you all can come and jam when ever there is no snow on the ground.  

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Thanks Dave...I may just take you up on that 

Heres a couple more chairs for the collection

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Originally posted by BanjarBilly

Hi Trapdoor that was my auction. I should have just sold it here. As far as the refinish I doubt it. I am pretty sure the banjo has spent most of it's life in it's case. I am pretty familiar with it's providence.BTW my wife keeps asking if I got paid for it.

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 Hi Billy,

Thanks for the banjo! I have been playing it almost daily...headed downtown this morning to snag a new bridge for it. As you can see, I'm quite happy with it. It was very common to have the headstock refinished on these puppies...it is an easy and quick thing to do and almost all I've ever run across were in either of two states: peeling (like my tenor) or refinished/bare (I had one that had just had the headstock stripped and left bare). The reality is: I really don't care...the banjo plays, sounds & looks great and I'm happy. 'Nuff said!

I'm still working on the Ebby Mathers end. I'll be out on Ancestry.com this afternoon looking for him. It would be neat to find a newspaper ad or announcement for the band.

The is fabulous and well worth a good spanking - my advice is a) buy as many banjos as possible (most wives don't recognise any difference when the number is greater than 10) b) get her something nice if you suspect she's wondering. Strangely the biggest success I've had that way was with those CZ rings! - they flash like real diamonds and are big enough to inspire real envy!!! For $30 it's an investment.

Congrats on the new banjo Marc! Looks to be in great shape.