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jimmyprince - Posted - 06/27/2013: 05:41:39
I just picked a nice morris Banjo that looks exactly like a fender artist. In fact if you covered the name you couldnt tell the difference. My question is what size and height is the head? Iam thinking of replacing it. the one thats on it now is the old vintage weather king thats got some bald spots from playing. Thanks
SReynolds - Posted - 06/27/2013: 05:43:35
I would believe the bald spots are worth more than a new head. And they look really cool too.
banjo5string - Posted - 06/27/2013: 06:06:32
An 11" medium crown head should fit that banjo.
Grey Dog - Posted - 06/27/2013: 06:29:17
Flattops generally warrant a high crown, Archtops generally a low crown.
Mediums are supposed to work on either, but I've found that to be questionable.
Best thing to do is take off the old one and measure the side height of what's on there.
ravedog - Posted - 06/27/2013: 06:36:02
yep it's a fender too..!
morris is the "house" hame of the maker, and the custom models with minor variations
were made made for fender and many other brands. they are pretty nice banjos and a real bargin.
pre 1970's were made in japan, later models in korea.
5stringpicker2 - Posted - 06/27/2013: 06:43:36
I use Medium Crown on my Banjos and have had no problems 
. If you take the head off to replace it measure from one side to the other using inside Diameter measurements in several spots to verify it is truly an 11" head and that will give you the size head you need.
( I )====='----<: :}
Grey Dog - Posted - 06/27/2013: 06:48:54
For reference:
Low crown = 3/8”
Medium crown = 7/16”
High crown = 1/2”
Edited by - Grey Dog on 06/27/2013 06:49:30
jimmyprince - Posted - 06/27/2013: 06:54:47
No markings on it that says made in japan. How can you tell? the person I got it from says it was his grandfathers. It looks just like a fender artist though.
beegee - Posted - 06/27/2013: 07:08:06
Let's see some pictures
desert rose - Posted - 06/27/2013: 07:13:50
Little bit of mis information here.
Morris is the house name brand of the Moridaira Musical Instrument company, they are located here in my town Matsumoto Japan. I worked for them for about two years. They are also a HUGE HUGE importer and distributor of all things music here in Japan
They made the great Fender Leo line of Fender banjos from the late seventys well into the eightys, as well as the great Fender acoustic guitars of the seventys and eightys. They also made the Morris brand of banjos and mandolins but they were not involved in the mass production of instruments with anybodys name on them like Kasuga etc. They are very much into the promotion and take pride in THEIR name and select other customers carefully.
They stopped making banjos in house when the Leos stopped. They like many companies have a factory in China now BUT they continue to make totally in house crafted high end acoustic guitars here in Matsumoto. I still have a number of friends there including the factory manager and Mr. Moridaira.
I would suggest trying a high crown head, no doubt it will work, a med MAY work
Scott
beegee - Posted - 06/27/2013: 09:20:31
I'm thinking it looks more like a Fender Leo. I have never seen a Morris with the Fender-type flange or a walnut neck and resonator. Pictures, please!
jimmyprince - Posted - 06/27/2013: 17:11:55
I looked every place to find a leo with this pattern and couldnt find one. But I found a ton of Fender artists with it.
jimmyprince - Posted - 06/27/2013: 20:12:12
Heres one of the back
jimmyprince - Posted - 06/28/2013: 05:57:41
I went with a High crown and it fit like a glove. Nice and tight and a very snappy sound Bright and loud.
jimmyprince - Posted - 07/01/2013: 19:57:58
What do you think Beegee? Leo or artist?
banjo5string - Posted - 07/01/2013: 20:04:28
The pot looks like a Leo, while the peghead and inlay closely resemble an Artist model. What is it made of, mahogany or walnut? From what I can see, I'll guess mahogany.
mikehalloran - Posted - 07/02/2013: 09:39:21
Nice looking Masterclone.
A USA Fender Artist would have an arch top unless someone had changed the tone ring (it does happen).
beegee - Posted - 07/02/2013: 14:45:08
Mike, the only Artists I have seen with arch-top rings are tenors and plectrums. 5-strings were flatheads unless someone special-ordered an AT. This banjo is basically a Leo. The California Fenders always had a proprietary Fender flange with large sound holes and small slots. They never made one with a Gibson-style 2-piece flange. granted it does have the Artist inlay pattern, but it is a Japanese-made neck. California Concert Tones and artists had laminated natural walnut necks. The Allegro had a laminated maple neck with sunburst finish. The Leo was mahogany, stained dark brown. here's a Leo with an Artist peghead inlay and dot inlays
jimmyprince - Posted - 07/03/2013: 17:21:12
Thats a picture of a leo. But its not close to the way mine looks. Iam not sure what the wood is. But the guy I got it from bought it new in the 70,s or 80,s. It plays better then most banjos i have heard. I would match it up with any newer banjo out there even a Gibson.. I did put a 1/2 bridge from a 5/8. I like the lower action. but for some reason it made the banjo louder with the 1/2 bridge. go figure.
jimmyprince - Posted - 07/03/2013: 17:25:49
And by The way the peg head on mine is a real nice MOP inlays. look at any artist and it looks excact. to the finest point on the neck.
Old Hickory - Posted - 07/03/2013: 17:49:12
Right. You have a made-in-Japan Morris banjo with a neck inlay and peghead shape and inlay that closely copy a Fender Artist but is otherwise more similar to a Leo. Which is what Banjo5string said. And as Beegee says, it's the wrong wood and flange for a Fender Artist. So, yes, if you covered the name, anyone who knows an Artist is walnut and had a unique flange would know the difference.
Which isn't to say it's not a nice banjo.
