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AlandEm - Posted - 03/07/2012: 15:33:26
I saw that there yesterday while buying strings and wondered about it. The resonator looks really wierd next to a "normal" resonator banjo. Weird. Didnt play it tho.
coelhoe - Posted - 03/07/2012: 15:56:53
I think it is parts of two or more instruments. Look at how badly the rim fits the flange on the inside.
unclekurty - Posted - 03/07/2012: 16:00:56
Plectrum 5 string? Eddie Peabody played 4 string.
pastorharry - Posted - 03/07/2012: 16:23:38
Intresting banjo, , obviously the neck, rim, and resonator are original, not sure about the flange though. This is a Vega pro type neck but without the usual tu-ba-phone ring. I'm linking this to the Vega group for more feedback. All in all I'd say it's about worth the price, if not for rarity,(I question if that truss rod cover is originally from that banjo, sure like to have a closeup of the yellow sticker), at least for parts.
pastorharry - Posted - 03/07/2012: 16:25:58
Question: Did Eddie Peabody actually venture to the dark side of 5 strings?
pastorharry - Posted - 03/07/2012: 16:29:56
After closer examination I would say that this IS a Vega flange, if not original to the instrument, at least a decent marriage.
NYCJazz - Posted - 03/07/2012: 17:16:28
As far as I know, Eddie Peabody never played either 5-string or tenor banjo.
He did play guitar, violin, and lap steel.
pastorharry - Posted - 03/07/2012: 17:17:48
He developed, with the Vega Banjo Company of Boston, a new type of "deep resonator" for the four-stringed banjo called the Vegavox, based on the zither banjo. The Vegavox has been produced mainly in four-stringed plectrum (22 frets) and tenor (19 frets) models; however, some five-stringed models were created and sold as special orders.
Well, there you have it folks, straight from the horse's mouth on wikipedia.....so here we have the famed "Eddie Peabody 5 string " model in all it's glory!!
BanjoLink - Posted - 03/07/2012: 17:58:41
quote:
Originally posted by NYCJazz
As far as I know, Eddie Peabody never played either 5-string or tenor banjo.
He did play guitar, violin, and lap steel.
What difference does that make? I have a Gibson Earl Scruggs tenor and Earl was a 5-string player - and yes, Nathan, I have put a 5-string neck on it!
grh2010 - Posted - 03/07/2012: 18:13:01
Looks it was sold by Heratage Auctions in the 8-11-2011 sale for $286.80.It was lot number 84098.
grh2010 - Posted - 03/07/2012: 19:26:33
and......Sold!. Hopefully we will hear more about it.
rexhunt - Posted - 03/08/2012: 03:08:09
The flange is the same as on my Pro II and the pot looks like a typical Vega pot of the 50's/60's. The resonator looks like a Vox slapped on a regular pot. It looks all Vega to me whether from the factory or not.
Rex
DHutchens - Posted - 03/08/2012: 04:30:54
I purchased one of these three years ago on Ebay, I too thought it was going to be something put together until I received it, but the label says Peabody Model. It has the same pot configuration with the "bell flange" Boston models of the early 60's and until just about the time that Martin purchased the company. The Scruggs Models, Professional, Pro II and the Osborne Model both featured the "bell flange". I bought a bunch of those bell flanges from Dick Boak at Martin in the late 70's and early 80's when he was liquidating the Boston parts, but they have a tendency to break at the neck notch. Wish I had saved some of them as I have a Pro II that needs one.
The banjo features a "Ranger" type tone ring(similar to RB 100), a slightly more shallow (outside between the flange plates and the tension hoop) rim assembly (but not as thin as the Vox) and a slighly thicker resonator(but not as thick as a Vox). Guess that model never made it to any of the Vega Flyers which is strange, since Vega usually put a new Brochure (or at least one of a different color) out at least once per year.
Never thought of dating it much before but this one appears to be Serial # is 125914 any Vega number people out there. I'll look to see what mine is.
Edited by - DHutchens on 03/08/2012 04:47:48
NYCJazz - Posted - 03/08/2012: 08:48:26
quote:
Originally posted by BanjoLink
What difference does that make? I have a Gibson Earl Scruggs tenor and Earl was a 5-string player - and yes, Nathan, I have put a 5-string neck on it!
John.
I meant to include the quote "Question: Did Eddie Peabody actually venture to the dark side of 5 strings?" from pastorharry above.
I'm sorry if that caused you any confusion.
PS I think you did the right thing by renecking the ES tenor. You gotta admit it's a was a pretty cool novelty as a tenor!
BanjoLink - Posted - 03/08/2012: 15:10:32
Yeah Nathan - you're softening up a bit! I did keep the tenor neck - guess I will burn it with all my other pre-war tenor necks!
NYCJazz - Posted - 03/08/2012: 17:42:56
John
You're burning an original Gibson Earl Scruggs banjo neck?
Okaaaay. You bought it.
banjotom2 - Posted - 03/08/2012: 18:42:49
Here's Eddie Peabody playing the banjo...
youtube.com/watch?v=xDMRPtRq44...e=related
From Wikipedia;
Early career
Born in Reading, Massachusetts, Peabody taught himself to play the violin, mandolin, guitar and banjo, at a very young age. He entered the U.S. Navyin March 1916 aged fourteen after lying about his age. He served in World War I on an S-14 submarine. It was during this period that he earned the nickname "Happiness Boy." After his discharge from the Navy in 1921 he began a long career in show business, beginning with Vaudeville. He visitedEngland in the 1930s and made several recordings for the Columbia Company. While there he helped to promote the banjo by visiting BMG clubs (Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar clubs) which were very active in the years up to World War II. When the U.S.A entered the war Eddie became a moraleofficer for the U.S. Navy. He already held the rank of commander and he was subsequently engaged to play shows for servicemen. When the war finished, he attempted to restart his concert career. By then, most of the Vaudeville halls had closed down and musical tastes had changed. However, in 1948, I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover, a hit from the 1920s, was resurrected by the Art Mooney Orchestra and created interest in both nostalgicmusic and the banjo. He capitalized on this by signing to Dot Records and made several albums for them. He took his act around supper clubs that were popular at the time, and TV made him a household name, once again. He also produced records and appeared in films. He was regarded as the most popular banjo player of the period.
Edited by - banjotom2 on 03/08/2012 18:44:41
banjotom2 - Posted - 03/08/2012: 18:48:41
More from Wikipedia: Concern 5-strings banjo associated with Eddie Peabody...
Early career
Born in Reading, Massachusetts, Peabody taught himself to play the violin, mandolin, guitar and banjo, at a very young age. He entered the U.S. Navyin March 1916 aged fourteen after lying about his age. He served in World War I on an S-14 submarine. It was during this period that he earned the nickname "Happiness Boy." After his discharge from the Navy in 1921 he began a long career in show business, beginning with Vaudeville. He visitedEngland in the 1930s and made several recordings for the Columbia Company. While there he helped to promote the banjo by visiting BMG clubs (Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar clubs) which were very active in the years up to World War II. When the U.S.A entered the war Eddie became a moraleofficer for the U.S. Navy. He already held the rank of commander and he was subsequently engaged to play shows for servicemen. When the war finished, he attempted to restart his concert career. By then, most of the Vaudeville halls had closed down and musical tastes had changed. However, in 1948, I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover, a hit from the 1920s, was resurrected by the Art Mooney Orchestra and created interest in both nostalgicmusic and the banjo. He capitalized on this by signing to Dot Records and made several albums for them. He took his act around supper clubs that were popular at the time, and TV made him a household name, once again. He also produced records and appeared in films. He was regarded as the most popular banjo player of the period.
[edit]Later accomplishments
He developed, with the Vega Banjo Company of Boston, a new type of "deep resonator" for the four-stringed banjo called the Vegavox, based on the zither banjo. The Vegavox has been produced mainly in four-stringed plectrum (22 frets) and tenor (19 frets) models; however, some five-stringed models were created and sold as special orders.
Peabody also developed a special type of electric banjo, first with Vega, later with the Fender Company and Rickenbacker, called the Banjoline. This instrument is tuned as a plectrum banjo but with the 3 and 4 string doubled in octaves, similar to the way a 12 string guitar is strung.[1] The Banjoline is now a very rare and highly-priced collector's item, although very seldom used today in liveperformances.
At some point in the 1920s, a music critic nicknamed Peabody "The King of the Banjo" because of his frenetic playing style which involved fast triplets and cross-picking, made some listeners think he was playing two banjos at once. The nickname "King of the banjo" stuck for the rest of his life.
Peabody served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a Lt. Commander in charge of the music/band department at the Great Lakes Training Station near Chicago, Illinois.
He performed for national leaders around the world.[citation needed] In 1968, Dwight D. Eisenhower awarded him a distinguished "People to People" Award for Meritorious Service in both the military and show business.[citation needed]
Edited by - banjotom2 on 03/08/2012 18:51:10
mikehalloran - Posted - 03/08/2012: 20:09:35
Eddie Peabody was a Vega dealer as well as an endorser.
Just as Roy Smeck probably never played all the Harmony models named after him and Burl Ives never played all of those Gretsches (made by Harmony, BTW), Vega used Eddie Peabody's name on their advertisements. No doubt someone in Marketing thought his name on a bottom line of folk banjos might sell a few - nevermind that he didn't play the 5 string.
I have seen these before and remember the ads in Sing Out!. This is real and, like my PS-5, has the Rotomatics upside down.
These are not to be confused with 5 string Vox plectrums and regular 5 string Voxes - both of which are known to exist and were available special order.
Edited by - mikehalloran on 03/08/2012 20:15:39
banjocollector - Posted - 03/08/2012: 23:40:51
quote:
Originally posted by NYCJazz
As far as I know, Eddie Peabody never played either 5-string or tenor banjo.
He did play guitar, violin, and lap steel.
Hi Nathan,
A few years ago I posted as to whether Eddie Peabody ever played or recorded on tenor banjo.
The answers I received were scathing, as if I were not aware of who the 'great man' was!!
The reason I asked the question was that I had been sent photos of a '29 Paramount F tenor with its original case with Peabody's initials stenciled on it, and it was being offered for sale.
I obviously replied for full details and price but never got a reply and have to presume that I was not the only person that got the offer to purchase.
Sometimes living in the UK, different time zones, shipping etc. can put sellers off.
I often wonder what happened to it ?
Regards, Derek
banjocollector.com
NYCJazz - Posted - 03/09/2012: 06:49:07
Mike
You are right, Roy didn't play ALL the Harmony instruments, but he did play a big blonde Harmony archtop w pickups when I knew him. He had his two Silver Bell banjos (#4 and #9) and a Martin style 3 uke.
I'm certain Peabody COULD play tenor. Harry Reser played and performed with both tenor and plectrum, but he's known for tenor. Reser was also a guitarist.
Derek
I remember that! I've never seen any photos of Peabody with anything but a Vega, but I'll bet he played Paramounts before 1930. Seems like everybody did! The earliest photos of Roy (with Paul Specht's band) show him with a Paramount.
DHutchens - Posted - 03/09/2012: 09:26:49
Harry also had a style 6 Gibson...probably others.
But his 6 had super nice intricate engraving on it, not your typical simple wriggle stroke with a bright cut every now and then, but done by a master engraver. The pattern is Florentine on the tone ring....but very ornate Florentine.....I'm assuming the banjo probably began life with a pot metal t hoop but this one is brass and has bold cross hatching almost as from a metal file cut. The armrest is a style 6 but again an verrrry nice style 6.
mikehalloran - Posted - 03/09/2012: 13:33:49
quote:
Originally posted by NYCJazz
Mike
You are right, Roy didn't play ALL the Harmony instruments, but he did play a big blonde Harmony archtop w pickups when I knew him.
Derek,
That is my point. I am certain that Roy could - and did - play everything. Just because Harmony built a marketing campaign around him doesn't mean he was playing all of those Roy Smeck plastic ukes, Res-O-Tone banjos (don't recall a plectrum but we've all seen 5 strings and tenors), inexpensive guitars etc. that had his name on them.
Eddie Peabody was the most famous banjo player in the 1960s and he played Vega. Of course, they would use his name to sell other banjos besides the Vox.
Before someone challenges me on that statement, you have to realize that Peabody, like Smeck, appeared in the movies and on all of those tv variety shows that featured old vaudvilians in the day - and there were many. They were household names to parents' generation.
The folk/country audience that actually paid attention to contemporary trends was much smaller through most of the decade. It took the Smothers Brothers, Glen Campbell, He Haw and other shows of the late '60s to introduce Earl, Sonny, John Hartford etc. to the mainstream audiences of the day. The "folk scare" that could have done it in the early '60s was crushed by the British Invasion in 1964.
Edited by - mikehalloran on 03/09/2012 13:36:25
BanjoLink - Posted - 03/09/2012: 14:10:33
quote:
Originally posted by NYCJazz
Mike
You are right, Roy didn't play ALL the Harmony instruments, but he did play a big blonde Harmony archtop w pickups when I knew him. He had his two Silver Bell banjos (#4 and #9) and a Martin style 3 uke.
I'm certain Peabody COULD play tenor. Harry Reser played and performed with both tenor and plectrum, but he's known for tenor. Reser was also a guitarist.
Derek
I remember that! I've never seen any photos of Peabody with anything but a Vega, but I'll bet he played Paramounts before 1930. Seems like everybody did! The earliest photos of Roy (with Paul Specht's band) show him with a Paramount.
And apparently he (Reser) played the mandolin too, as I bought one from his estate (Gibson A-4) about twenty years ago. At the time about 20 of his instruments were auctioned off by a New York auction house. I think there were also some banjos, but I think all of of higher grade items had either been previously sold or taken by family members. I wonder if anyone else remembers the auction or even perhaps bought an item or two.
banjocollector - Posted - 03/09/2012: 14:22:26
quote:
Originally posted by mikehalloran
quote:
Originally posted by NYCJazz
Mike
You are right, Roy didn't play ALL the Harmony instruments, but he did play a big blonde Harmony archtop w pickups when I knew him.
Derek,
That is my point. I am certain that Roy could - and did - play everything. Just because Harmony built a marketing campaign around him doesn't mean he was playing all of those Roy Smeck plastic ukes, Res-O-Tone banjos (don't recall a plectrum but we've all seen 5 strings and tenors), inexpensive guitars etc. that had his name on them.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi Mike,
Somehow Roy Smeck has been brought into this thread -
But not by me.
My only input was to mention that a few years ago I was offered a Paramount 'F' TENOR banjo in its original case with Eddie Peabody's initials on it !!
Regards, Derek
Cottonmouth - Posted - 06/23/2012: 17:13:59
Although this lacks anything about Eddie Peabody, I would like to direct you to a very interesting web site, banjoonmyknee.com. The owner owns two Vega 5-string plectrum banjos in his collection. Pictured on the site are his 1911 and 1924 Vega Tu-ba-phone DeLuxe 5-string plectrum banjos. The entire collection is quite impressive.
Edited by - Cottonmouth on 06/23/2012 17:17:15
dmdunderhead - Posted - 06/25/2012: 17:19:35
Yes, Eddie Peabody could play tenor banjo. I checked with a banjo great who has a first name of "Buddy" and his last name
starts with "W"----- He knew Eddie and said "yes"------ Eddie absolutely could play tenor banjo. Many thanks !! :)
stanger - Posted - 06/27/2012: 12:27:39
Eddie made a lot of money buying and selling banjos of many brands while he was on tour. I know of 4 (now, with the report on this thread) banjos that were 'Eddie Peabody's personal banjo'.
Peabody would go around and hit the music stores and pawn shops in the cities he played, and would buy Gibsons, Vegas, and Bacons, then put them on a stand onstage as a second instrument. If he broke a string on the one he actually used, he would play the second for a bit.
All the ones I know about have all been upper level instruments, and I sure don't fault Eddie in any way for the practice. It was a means of extra income for him, and they were all indeed his personal instruments; they just weren't the ones he played very much.
regards,
stanger
