DIV - Posted - 04/22/2015:  10:21:36

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED AND LOOKS LIKE IT WILL HAVE A HAPPY ENDING!

I need some help tracking down this banjo!  I know this is a long shot, but I believe in the power of the internet making the world closer than ever.

It's "my" old Maple Ome Juggernaut from 1975.  It's serial number #996 and it has abalone inlays.  Photos are posted here:

I would love to buy it back from the current owner.  It was sold off by fellow member here, Mr. Shuji Ishikawa to someone last year.

Anyone with info about this banjo, please let me know.  I'm VERY interested in buying it back.

Thank you for any help!

 

Edited by - DIV on 05/10/2015 07:16:42

bjewell - Posted - 04/22/2015:  19:36:36

I would contact Dickie Kitano, owner of "On the Boarder."

facebook.com/dicky.kitano?fref=ts

He is really connected to the Bluegrass scene.  Good luck.

DIV - Posted - 04/22/2015:  20:58:59

Hey awesome tip, thanks

banjott - Posted - 04/23/2015:  04:54:49

Hi.

I guess this is the one you are looking for.

kurosawagakki.com/items/detail/328073.html

The banjo was for sale at Kurosawa Gakki instruments, Ochanomizu Tokyo earlier this month but unfortunately for you the ad says it has been already sold ...

desert rose - Posted - 04/23/2015:  05:53:02

Hi Dan

I will spread the word thru my network and see what comes up. I think Dicky Kitano is a good person to ask as well, he owns a bluegrass music store and plays actively.

Be prepared, that Kurosawa add had the banjo listed for about $3500, if you were able to connect with it, shipping will be another $500

Scott

DIV - Posted - 04/23/2015:  07:31:54

Hi Scott

Thanks for the info.  I have sent Mr. Kitano a message through Facebook.

Yes, I see that the price certainly went up since I sold it.  But I might be willing to make a trade with the current owner.

Yes, please spread the word....we're getting close!

thanks again!

DIV - Posted - 04/25/2015:  10:59:38

If anyone runs into this banjo, please give the current owner please send them my way...

DIV - Posted - 05/08/2015:  14:31:13

Call off the posse!

I found a twin of this banjo in Canada and nabbed it today!  

A big thanks to Mark at Folkway Music in Ontario Canada for being so helpful and considerate.

these guys are extremely knowledgeable and I would highly recommend them!

Folkwaymusic.com

I've requested a little finish work and so it'll arrive in about 1 month's time...stay tuned!

Edited by - DIV on 05/08/2015 14:34:50

DIV - Posted - 05/10/2015:  07:19:38

banjohangout.org/my/DIV

DIV - Posted - 06/19/2015:  11:46:02

My Maple Juggernaut arrived a few days ago and I couldn't be happier!!!

OK, it's not exactly the same banjo that came back to me, but if you compare these side by side photos, I think you'll agree that it's close enough!

There are some subtle differences, but none are noticeable from these photos.

Here's a couple photos showing the pair:

rupickin5 - Posted - 06/20/2015:  06:16:52

Great story Dan! Looks like you've got a nice pair there.

Maybe someday you'll come back from "the dark side" & return to Banjothon...we've missed you!

Brian

DIV - Posted - 06/20/2015:  07:36:59

Hi Brian...Thanks....that's funny....I feel like I've LEFT the dark side!

Banjo Lefty - Posted - 06/20/2015:  11:22:10

Ok. So the only difference between your two banjos is that one is maple and the other mahogany? Could you please please please post some sound files (ideally the same song played in the same room at the same tempo) so that we can hear the difference?

DIV - Posted - 06/20/2015:  18:00:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banjo Lefty

 

Ok. So the only difference between your two banjos is that one is maple and the other mahogany? Could you please please please post some sound files (ideally the same song played in the same room at the same tempo) so that we can hear the difference?

---

No, I never mentioned Mahogany.  I found the same model, same vintage (actually, one year older) and same specs (inlays etc) as the banjo I tried to re-acquire that now resides in Toyko somewhere...

I probably should have posted the new Maple one with my old Rosewood version in a separate thread to prevent confusion....too late to edit my post

Edited by - DIV on 06/20/2015 18:02:29

banjott - Posted - 06/22/2015:  05:59:40

Congrats on your new banjo, Dan. I'm sure it sounds as good as it looks.

lazlototh - Posted - 06/22/2015:  06:07:48

Shuji has purchased a couple banjos from me. He is a great guy.
Glad this worked out.
BAS remorse is a bad thing. (That is Banjo Acquisition Selling!)
It can only lead to depression and liquid assets your significant other can attach.

tom in maine

Charles in SC - Posted - 06/22/2015:  19:36:06

One thing that seems to have changed is that the bamboo plant has grown.

DIV - Posted - 06/23/2015:  16:47:16

Thanks guys!

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with my replacement banjo.  I'll probably post some updates on the Ome Juggernaut owner's page.  This is one year earlier (1974 was the second year of production of the Juggernaut model) and there's at least one interesting change in the hardware used....

Yeah, Mr. Shuji Ishikawa was super kind and a good friend.  I only wish he would have given me the chance to buy back the Maple Juggernaut before he sold it.  As much as I love this one, I might still be interested in buying back #996 if it should ever come knocking on my door so to speak....

 

bbanjoboy - Posted - 07/13/2015:  16:42:33

Maybe you could track down the owner and swap him.. maybe give him some boot to trade or something...