Banjo Jim - Posted - 03/09/2008:  17:13:29

I recently met someone who had a collection of old banjos with "Mother of toilet-seat" fetboards and also just some of the necks. I know that some high end banjos came with this but also some inexpensive ones. Are there any old inexpensive banjos or necks like this still available and at what price range? I would like to get some to decorate my walls. They don't have to be good playable instruments.

Edited by - Banjo Jim on 03/09/2008 18:16:59

banjonz - Posted - 03/09/2008:  21:50:14

I think the best place to start looking is Ebay. There are also sites like Elderly Instruments; Bernuzio's Vintage instruments and the like but they tend to be expensive. Brands like Kel Kroydon ( the originals) were a budget line when they were introduced. They are worth a lot now. There are other brands I have heard of but cannot remember their names. Ebay would be the best place though.

Wayne
New Zealand

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stanger - Posted - 03/10/2008:  07:33:42

Hi, Jim...
The use of pearloid was very extensive in all brands, big and small, but the 30's.
while you might be able to find necks on eBay, I would also search out the dealers and luthiers who make 5-string replacement necks. Most of these guys end up with a wall full of tenor necks, and would be happy to get rid of a few. The Gibson necks are going to be expensive, but other brands- Ludwig, tons of the Regal-made banjos, Kays, Leedys, and lots of others are often highly ornamented and would cost much less.

Some of the real pearloid champs- the Bacon & Day banjos, and the Epiphone Recordings, are going to be much more expensive than the Gibsons, and much more likely to remain on the original pots. Both these brands offered some of the flashiest pearloid ever made.
regards,
Stanger

The pen is mightier than the pigs.

mralston - Posted - 03/10/2008:  17:07:41

Ditto what the other folks said, especially about eBay being a good source. FYI, there's a MOTS fingerboard & peghead Concertone on eBay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...WA:IT&ih=020

I'd probably bid on this one myself, but I've got two similar tenors downstairs right now waiting to be turned into fretless 5-strings.

Mark Ralston

A man comes to this world naked and bare; He goes through life with troubles and care; He departs this life and goes we don’t know where; But he’ll be all right there if he lives all right here ............................................... Uncle Dave Macon