skip sail - Posted - 03/30/2012:  02:24:46

Heres some shots(hopefully)of a beautiful Washburn presentation model i acquired today. the inlays are stunning,especially when viewed close up.

I would love to find some original pegs for this,I think they were the carved ivory or bone square ones.If anyone has a set they are prepared to sell PLEASE let me know!

cheers,skip

dculgan - Posted - 03/30/2012:  07:24:10

Wow. Congratulations. Wow!
Just curious - would that block of pearl near the rim have been for engraving a name or something to do with the presentation? Dave Culgan (lesser old Washburn owner)

eugene1978 - Posted - 03/30/2012:  07:36:09

Gorgeous. This is one of the nicest I've seen. Any chance at a side view of that beautiful metal engraving on the rim?

I'm guessing the inlays are mixed-media (wire, metal, and pearl)...Has the fingerboard shrunk and raised them at all?

I don't have a line on tuners but best of luck - you got yourself a beauty!

Edited by - eugene1978 on 03/30/2012 07:37:29

Diablito - Posted - 03/30/2012:  13:31:11

that is definitely a beauty! no doubt you'll find the right pegs for it.

skip sail - Posted - 03/30/2012:  14:36:33

heres a side shot, inlays are a mixed selection of gold copper and silver wire with pearl.The large pearl block is part of the inlay,suggestion a pool of water(?)
I put some strings on this last night,using the non-original tuners,and it is absolutely amazing-like no other banjo i have heard.
It sustains forever,particularily on the trebles,which actually DO ring like tiny silver bells(lots of banjos say this in their ads,but this is the first time ive heard it for real)
Like a good weissenborn guitar,the notes get louder and clearer as you go up the neck,with clarity,volume and oh,that sustain.You old timey guys would hate this banjo,and run to get a rolled up ,sweaty, coal miners sock to stuff in the back of it to achieve that thuddy plunka-alunk,but its the best "classical"banjo i have ever heard,bar non.
I have owned several high end SS Stewarts,a Luscombe,and an early Fairbanks electric,but this is the best of the lot IMHO. I havnt been as excited about a musical instrument in a long time,thanks to the all knowing banjo bestowers on high!

Now,I need to find an original tailpiece,original tuners,and a high quality 12" skin head,and i can retire to the parlour and begin my study of Classical banjo,no doubt wearing some kind of high collar suit,and sporting a serious moustache.

pgroff - Posted - 03/30/2012:  14:57:35

way to go skip sail!

I was grinning as I read your post.  I've had that feeling of playing an instrument that was finally giving me the sounds I always dreamed of hearing. . . and it's a highpoint in life for a musician.  I hope it sticks with you, that banjo must have been meant for you!

PG

Stephen John Prior - Posted - 03/31/2012:  01:18:10

Hey Skip. Nice Banjo. I know just where your coming from. I've got a Schall double spun thats doing it for me right now. Just cant put it down. I do like those early Washburns. Have you tried Bob Smakula for tuners ? He has beaded edge tuners for sale.

nickl - Posted - 03/31/2012:  04:01:49

These are the tuners from a Washburn with the same neck inlays that was up for auction in the uk two weeks ago (went for £820).

SWCooper - Posted - 03/31/2012:  04:41:32

Oh, that's a beauty. Any time you want to post more pictures, feel free  :)

Stephen John Prior - Posted - 03/31/2012:  11:49:11

Hi Skip. You might be on a bit of a grail journey trying to source a tailpiece. I've seen the Durkee ones come up from time to time but the Eleanor D. Son type seem pretty rare. As for a complete set of carved walrus ivory pegs !!! That could be a really tough and expensive quest. But it's a stunning banjo with some of the most attractive design hooks nuts and brackets.

Nick. I'm with Sarah any more shots of the UK one. It looks pretty original. Amazing whats still surfacing.

Edited by - Stephen John Prior on 03/31/2012 11:50:39

banjonz - Posted - 03/31/2012:  12:46:55

Skip, great find. Did you get it in Oz? If so fanastic! I know that there are instruments of this quality lurking around. Even in NZ they surface from time to time.

esmic - Posted - 03/31/2012:  16:21:46

Those are custom ivory pegs on the UK example and really choice. 

Here are pics of the one I have, along with it's banjeaurine counterpart.

SWCooper - Posted - 03/31/2012:  16:58:26

Ohhhhhhh...banjo porn!

nickl - Posted - 04/01/2012:  00:07:43

The UK one is probably a ladies model 421 (Bills Banjos has one shown with the same tuners). Auction pics are still up on Fieldings Auctioneers, Stourbridge 10th March sale results under collectables.

skip sail - Posted - 04/01/2012:  02:36:59

Esmic!!! now i have to find the matching banjeaurine!

esmic - Posted - 04/01/2012:  07:09:24

nickl  : Thanks for the info to find the Fieldings listing. 

With it's gold plating, custom pegs, carved heel and 30 brackets, that appears to be the Style 432, which was a custom order. The one's skip sail and I have would be Style 421 or 422 (depending on rim size). See 1890's catalogue cuts below.

S. Mc.

skip sail - Posted - 04/01/2012:  14:09:05

mines a 422 12" rim

witty banjo related username - Posted - 04/02/2012:  20:14:41

If your interested in a trade, Skip, I've got a nice Kasuga...

slightly more realistically, I want to play that banjo sometime before I leave. 

skip sail - Posted - 04/03/2012:  01:25:27

Come up anytime ,young skywalker(using my best Darth Vader voice)

The Mighty Ant - Posted - 04/03/2012:  17:38:11

I cant see the photos. All I am getting is red X's

Beetle_bombshell - Posted - 04/04/2012:  05:17:08

I'm getting red Xs too. Very frustrating!     B.B.

skip sail - Posted - 04/04/2012:  14:33:32

They were there,now theyre gone! What gives...????