lilylalake - Posted - 06/13/2013:  06:52:36

I have two banjos. The older one (I think)  my dad said is left handed and then there is also one by Maybell that is pretty old too. The one that my dad said is left handed he said could be from 1888.  He said it could be very rare.  Any help with value estimation would be appreciated.     

Edited by - lilylalake on 06/13/2013 08:14:08

BDCA - Posted - 06/13/2013:  08:04:00

I can't comment on the 5 string but the Maybell tenor in it's current condition +- $150-$200.

Cya!

Bob

SFI - Posted - 06/13/2013:  08:37:25

The 5 string is a Luscomb. Unfortunately the amateur repairs have made it useful for only the parts

Bob Smakula

lilylalake - Posted - 06/13/2013:  08:55:16

why only for parts? it is still very playable & left handed would make if very rare, right?

Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 06/13/2013:  12:09:22

The rim on the lefty is a Luscomb rim, but it's not the original Luscomb neck- someone rather crudely married what looks like a lefty J. B. Schall neck to the Luscomb rim.

Early left handed five strings are rare.  Unfortunately, the modifications on this one are so extensive, and so poorly done, that they have negated any collectible value.  The very crude nature of the modifications also cuts into the banjo's value as a playing instrument. 

Andy

Edited by - Andy FitzGibbon on 06/13/2013 12:11:33

SFI - Posted - 06/13/2013:  12:10:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilylalake

 

why only for parts? it is still very playable & left handed would make if very rare, right?

---

Most folks that are looking for vintage banjos want an original instrument, not one that has been heavily and amateurishly modified. It may be a playable banjo, but without having it in my shop for examination, I would bet against the instrument being solid and ready to play. 

That is my opinion based on your photographs and my 40 years of banjo repair experience.

Bob Smakula

BDCA - Posted - 06/13/2013:  12:19:03

Someone quoted George Gruhen, a noted instrument appraiser. in a recent thread: "The plague is rare but no one wants it" or something to that effect.

Cya!

Bob

brdf11 - Posted - 06/20/2013:  05:06:28

They are both on eBay now. For $5000.00 and $3000.00. 

The Maybell:

bit.ly/180b1Hs

banjobilly32 - Posted - 06/20/2013:  05:28:41

There's a similar Maybell on Craig's list in Naugatuck Ct. asking $200 with no takers so far.  I sent the lister an offer of $50 and a note. Sure hope he doesn't take me up on it!

ktbown - Posted - 06/20/2013:  09:24:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by brdf11

 

They are both on eBay now. For $5000.00 and $3000.00. 

 

The Maybell:

 

bit.ly/180b1Hs

 

---

These will never sale at those prices you might as well try to sale Big Macs for $100 .....  the slingerland might bring $175 on a good day ... the other one in the shape it's in maybe $150 but that's pushing it ... no one will take those listings seriously as they are unrealistic price wise ..

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/20/2013:  11:05:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by ktbown

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by brdf11

 

They are both on eBay now. For $5000.00 and $3000.00. 

 

The Maybell:

 

bit.ly/180b1Hs

 

---

These will never sale at those prices you might as well try to sale Big Macs for $100 .....  the slingerland might bring $175 on a good day ... the other one in the shape it's in maybe $150 but that's pushing it ... no one will take those listings seriously as they are unrealistic price wise ..

---

It sorta makes you wonder why someone would bother coming to the best possible place to get free online appraisals of old banjos...........and then completely ignore what they've learned because it wasn't what they wanted to hear.

Reminds me of the guy who -when asked if he sold stuff through Ebay- told me "Heck no!  Everybody on Ebay is looking for bargains!": as if everybody everywhere wasn't looking for a bargain...

~Pete

Edited by - Deaf Lester Crawdad on 06/20/2013 11:08:39

lazyarcher - Posted - 06/20/2013:  12:32:34

The most valuable piece is the Presto tailpiece on the Maybell.. $100-$150. The rest unfortunately won't command much.

Lou Bourbon - Posted - 06/20/2013:  12:58:36

Why ask a group of seasoned banjo players and buyers to give you valuation advice if you've already decided that you'll only take it if it agrees with your own?

Your postings on Ebay are criminally ridiculous!

Lou

Joe Connor - Posted - 06/20/2013:  14:26:11

I agree that these types of posts are annoying because the poster is just trying to use the BHO and the expertise (and kindness) of its members to make a quick buck. In retrospect, the initial post usually gives away the poster's agenda.

The initial post stated, "Any help with value estimation would be appreciated."  There were no questions about playing condition, manufacturer, what would be needed to put either banjo into playing condition, what kind of sound either banjo could be expected to produce, or what kind of music either was appropriate for. When the post asks only about value, we should have a pretty good idea of what the poster's agenda is. 

I just hope these quick-buck artists don't make us cynical so that we're less willing to help any newbie who really wants to know about grandpa's old banjo that was gathering dust in the attic,. The collective knowledge of this group is a powerful and amazing thing. 

Edited by - Joe Connor on 06/20/2013 14:27:28

BanjoLink - Posted - 06/20/2013:  14:48:42

One very similar to hers sold for $1200 at another auction in 2012. The major difference being that the one that sold had belonged to Les Paul - still over priced in my opinion for a celebrity owned instrument. So how does that make hers worth $3000?  I'm still thinking $150 if you really want it!

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/20/2013:  16:48:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lou Bourbon

 

Why ask a group of seasoned banjo players and buyers to give you valuation advice if you've already decided that you'll only take it if it agrees with your own?



Your postings on Ebay are criminally ridiculous!

---

No; not really.   Just terminally silly and obnoxiously optimistic.

The market will teach her what she wasn't willing to learn the easy way.

~Pete

Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 06/20/2013:  17:34:28

My favorite is this line, from the Schall/Luscomb auction:

"I realize the price is high."

brdf11 - Posted - 06/22/2013:  15:04:04

I agree with Lou. You came here, and some very knowledgeable people have you an honest and realistic appraisal. 

Just because you want them to sell at that price, it doesn't mean they will. 

mikehalloran - Posted - 06/24/2013:  17:36:34

>need help estimating price/value <

Apparently, not from us.

Inflexible35 - Posted - 07/01/2013:  04:36:09

Prices now $3000 and $1500. The market is speaking.

Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 07/01/2013:  05:45:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by Inflexible35

 

The market is speaking.

---

Not loud enough, apparently.

Inflexible35 - Posted - 07/02/2013:  06:57:53

Some people have a hard time hearing.

Nels - Posted - 07/02/2013:  08:25:24

well we can tell her agenda...join 6/13..ask for a value...ignore fair advice....post on ebay at inflated prices....we should ignore all future posts!!

BDCA - Posted - 07/02/2013:  09:07:56

I doubt she'll be back. Maybe she could add an offers option...that would be fun!

Cya!

Bob

Joe Connor - Posted - 07/02/2013:  12:05:55

Here's the craziest thing about it. A year from now, someone else will be selling comparable banjos and asking astronomical prices. When told the prices are high, the seller will say, "But I saw banjos just like this on ebay going for $5,000 and $3,000 (or $3,000 and $1,500)." In other words, some seller somewhere will see this knucklehead's ridiculous asking prices as setting market value. 

Nels - Posted - 07/05/2013:  08:16:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by brdf11

 

They are both on eBay now. For $5000.00 and $3000.00. 

 

The Maybell:

 

bit.ly/180b1Hs

 

---

reduced to $2500. and $1200. ridy dick u louse 

mainejohn - Posted - 07/05/2013:  08:22:40

I rarely offer my opinions on these requests for free appraisals, because very often if you don't tell them what they want to hear, they get all huffy or pissed off or both. I suspect that she/he's thinking that we're low-balling them so we can "steal" their "museum pieces."

Edited by - mainejohn on 07/05/2013 08:27:37

Joel Hooks - Posted - 07/05/2013:  08:49:59

I've proposed, and been criticized for, not giving price estimates on the hangout.  When you really get down to it there are only a hand full of the same people giving the actual numbers.

We could freely give all the historical information surrounding a banjo, who and when built, type of music played, desirability, trivia... but no numbers.

There are a few reputable dealers that offer appraisal services for a small fee (in most cases that small fee could be as much as a third of the value of a bad condition Buckbee!).  We should give those names and links to their websites.

Conversely, we can generally tell when someone is into banjos and are a somewhat active member who just got their first relic banjo.  

Vs. "Hi I have no name or where I live posted.  I joined just long enough ago to figure out how to post.  I am interested in enough information to increase the selling price of this banjo I paid nothing for at an estate sale thinking I could turn it and make a mint."

I don't hold someone trying to make a dollar against them, I've got bills and I like to eat too.  But ALL the info that they want has already been posted in the past and they can work to find it.

Because of that I think that we should artificially decrease the value  of antique banjos when new inquiries are posted by the so-called "pickers."

Or they could pay for an appraisal.

Or they could do what I do and put it on ebay @ $0.99 to start and see where it goes-- the real value being what one is willing to pay and the happiness of getting it into the hands of someone who will love it.

beezaboy - Posted - 07/05/2013:  09:38:14

I don't mind giving value estimates when I know what they are from experience and watching auctions and dealers' prices for banjos that I am interested in.  I only know about a handful.

We get a lot of decent folk with banjo inheritances, etc who really appreciate our input and say so with a thank you and praise for our helpful organization.

Usually it is best if a few banjohangout members chime in so there will  be a range of opinions and prices.  Usually, our opinions are pretty close.

Occasionally, we at BHO are disappointed in the responses we get from the inquirer but there are malcontents in any population so maybe we shouldn't be put off by the annoying few.

Finally, I think many of us have asked for advice from our colleagues here when considering a banjo purchase.  I know I have and I really appreciate the responses and have come to rely on them.

Lou Bourbon - Posted - 07/05/2013:  13:33:52

I also think there is a difference between asking for advice on what something is honestly worth, adding $50 or $100 bucks and look for an offer. Adding a few thousand to the "appraised" price of something and looking for a sucker is criminal.

I've most always appreciated the advice given here and most of the times, different people are in the same general ballpark. With this advice request I feel that the hangout members are playing in a field of known reality and the owner is playing in a field of (pipe) dreams.

It has become a fun and humorous thread though.

Lou

Nels - Posted - 07/21/2013:  05:05:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nels

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by brdf11

 

They are both on eBay now. For $5000.00 and $3000.00. 

 

The Maybell:

 

bit.ly/180b1Hs

 

---

reduced to $2500. and $1200. ridy dick u louse 

---

they are now $1500. and $800.  this is painfully funny!! 

barnesc - Posted - 07/27/2013:  05:13:26

Human nature is an interesting thing........ years ago when I was in high school, I worked in a hobby store.  I became quite knowledgeable about pre war and post war train sets and accessories.  Every week or so someone would come in with a basket full of old Lionel or Marx toy trains looking for a free appraisal or offer to buy.  Sometimes there would be a useable accessory  or  a piece of rolling stock in good condition, but most times the box was full of relatively worthless broken or modified  junk. Rare was the time when someone was really interested in the trains themselves,  they were really just trying to turn a buck and old trains seemed like a pretty good way to get rick quick.    

No one liked to hear the truth, and I would get accused of low balling the price just so the shop could buy the box-o-junk at a steal.  Without a fail the same box of trains would show up a few weeks later with a new owners to get "their"  new treasure appraised.   I wonder if those poor old lionel train pieces are still floating around?