bluegras5 - Posted - 06/22/2008:  18:02:01

---

Just purchased a Brazos raised head banjo and can not find any info about these on the web or otherwise. The banjo is dark maple sunburst with gold hardware, 20 hole arch top tone ring, nicley built and finished and plays awesome, best of all; it sounds as good as my pre-war TB conversion. Does any one have info on these banjos. I heard they were imported by Saga 10+ years ago but cannot confirm this. Thanks to all...

banjer5 - Posted - 06/22/2008:  18:42:47

---

I know of a guy in my neck of the woods that has one similar to the one you describe. The story I heard was similar to what you said and there were very few ever imported. The one I speak of sounds very good too.


Fast Freddy the engineer says: Throttle in RUN 8 and highball, then don''t look back, something might be gainin'' on ya. 73,s de K5BGZ

banjonz - Posted - 06/22/2008:  20:18:06

---

'Brazos' are listed on Paul Hawthorn's site as entry level Asian. I guess it was made in the 70's in Japan and like a number of low end instruments, there were some made for the upper market as well. Can you post some photos of it. Would love to see how similar/dissimilar it is from the others that were made at that time. The easiest way to post photos is on your homepage here on the BHO. Instructions are on the RHS of your homepage.

Wayne
New Zealand

"I call my girl my meloncholy baby! She has the head like a mellon and the face like a collie"!

grm405 - Posted - 06/22/2008:  21:04:56

---

Don't let it scare you, but I believe "Brazos" was imported by the same company that imported "Hondo". Some Hondos were pretty good banjos. The importer just spec'ed them from various manufacturers. I did a web search a while back looking for info about a now departed "Hondo ll" and found this info in "Vintage Guitar" magazine. Japan hasn't made banjos for about 20 years, so I expect the date is closer to 1975-1985.

Gerry

BanjoSKP

bluegras5 - Posted - 07/02/2008:  20:16:23

---

This Brazos is no entry level banjo but is rather a well built professional model comparible to any name brands. Did find out that they were built in Japan from 1977 -1981 and that very few of the high end models were sent to the USA. The company was sued by Martin and Gibson for patent infringement and was forced out of business in 1982. Word has it that they regrouped later and became Saga but I can not confirm this. These high end Brazos are very sought after and I can understand why. This banjo is a monster and has that percussive archtop tone thats not even second to the Stanleytones I have played. Send me e-mail addresses for pictures of this jem.
kiphemingway@gmail.com

banjonz - Posted - 07/03/2008:  00:08:17

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluegras5

This Brazos is no entry level banjo but is rather a well built professional model comparible to any name brands.

---

You are correct! While the list on Paul's website is certainly not exaustive, we do find instruments coming out of the woodwork that certainly are not entry level. There were very few records kept during the period and brochures of that time showed a range of models for a particular make. Not all of them were imported into a particular country. I believe that a large portion of them were brought into the US as that was percieved to be the largest market. They certainly gave Gibson a good run for it's money. Who in the 70's could afford a Gibson? I was fortunate to pick up a new RB-250 for a good price but that was rare.

Wayne
New Zealand

"I call my girl my meloncholy baby! She has the head like a mellon and the face like a collie"!

---

Edited by - banjonz on 07/03/2008 00:14:48