timmo_1949 - Posted - 04/16/2012:  16:51:09

This past winter, I restored (really, just repaired) a very original Henry C. Dobson 5-string banjo.  It is very close to Dobson's 1867 patent drawings and quite unlike his 1873 patent drawing, so I am confident that it dates to ca. 1870 +/-3.The inner rim flange was broken but I repaired that and left most everything else as it was except for cleaning and installing new ebony tuning pegs, bone nut, and gut strings.  It is fretted to the 12th fret.  I have not been able to tell if it was factory fretting or done by a competent luthier later - you could buy them either way.  These are pretty rare; I've found 2 in museum collections and one each owned by noted collectors Phil Gura, and Bill Destler of Bill's Banjos.  Only one other is for sale at Musurgia ($2500 as-is).

The owner has now decided to sell it and will be putting it in the classifieds here.  I get no financial gain from the sale. I am here just to vouch for the authenticity and good condition of the instrument.  I am presently working on a web article about it which should be up later this week.

Tim Smith

savethebanjos.com

Edited by - timmo_1949 on 04/23/2012 10:39:16

J-Walk - Posted - 04/16/2012:  17:20:44

C'mon, man. Just post a photo or two!

trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/16/2012:  20:05:39

Awesome, Tim. Those early Dobsons are very interesting and I look forward to your article. I'd love to own one...but feel sure it will be out of my price range.

dculgan - Posted - 04/17/2012:  04:45:18

Here's half of one, flush frets. Dave Culgan

1867 pat. H.C. Dobson neck on home-made rim

timmo_1949 - Posted - 04/17/2012:  08:43:30

OK, I'm slow.  Here are 5 photos of the aforementioned instrument:

banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...umid=6797 

trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/17/2012:  08:49:06

Amazing shot of the nearly destroyed inner rim. Lots of material there...thick. I'm looking forward to your article and seeing how you repaired this.

timmo_1949 - Posted - 04/17/2012:  17:32:10

It does seem thick but it is 2 plys of very light wood. I'm pretty sure its poplar.  The big breaks were at seams so it wasn't so hard to repair as it may look at first.  Believe me, I felt some trepidation but I think its come out satisfactorily.

Timmo

RG - Posted - 04/17/2012:  18:03:19

What a cool banjo Tim, I'm sure you performed your usual magic...

timmo_1949 - Posted - 04/23/2012:  10:32:57

OK, the article is now up at savethebanjos.com"> savethebanjos.com

Pack a lunch, it is a long one.

Timmo

timmo_1949 - Posted - 04/25/2012:  15:45:09

Well crap, I thought more people might want to see this.  I spent a whole week writing it. 

jbalch - Posted - 04/25/2012:  16:35:44

I just found the thread.  VERY COOL! Great work....

I'm linkin this to the H C Dobson banjos group:  banjohangout.org/group/hcdobsonbanjos

Edited by - jbalch on 04/25/2012 16:36:44