Joel Hooks - Posted - 07/04/2016:  08:57:46

In June of 1888 SSS publishes the full story about what happened.

So that is the story.  Sorry about the different size images, I was rushing to get all this done and did not spend much time playing around with them.  Better res versions are available in my photos section.

While SSS did not claim that the English were counterfeiting his banjos, he did find that this was done in the US and Australia.  I have no reason to doubt this.  I have seen examples of banjos that were clearly attempts to be SSS banjos while still being different (hardware, peghead shape slightly different, etc.).  Most of those I witnessed before I had a sophisticated enough phone to take photos.  There was at least one of these posted on the banjo Hangout a long time ago but I could not find the post in the archives.

So I would like to recant on my questioning of the authenticity of this banjo.  It seems to be a very rare SSS banjo.  

If it were mine I would sell it immediately-- wasting no time to start an auction at .99 and let the remaining collectors fight over it.  I would not consider a single offer no matter how good it seems and let the auction run all the way to the end.

I would then use that money to buy a regular five string of my choice.

Edited by - Joel Hooks on 07/04/2016 08:58:34

joe28675 - Posted - 07/04/2016:  17:55:52

quote:

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Originally posted by Stephen John Prior

 

Thanks Shawn fascinating stuff. I vaguely remember reading something about the Brewster/Dallas relationship not lasting long either.



Joe. On closer inspection the serial number reads 1494. Unfortunately the dowel end has been altered slightly and the original bolt hole plugged and re-drilled.

However it does have the square hole in the rim that the dowel end fits into. It would be really helpful to me if you have photos of an original.

 

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John, endpin photos attached. I only have one Stewart banjo with this endpin arrangement and know of one other. I thought perhaps the double drone Stewart banjo might have the same endpin type. Note that there is no hole for a tailpiece attachment  bolt. It is strictly for a tie-on type tailpiece. 

endpin 5	endpin 4	endpin 3	endpin 2
endpin 1

tdennis - Posted - 07/04/2016:  20:05:00

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread.  This has been one of the most interesting series of posts on S S Stewart banjos that I've seen.  Thanks to all the BHO resident experts for taking the time & effort to give us such  a detailed look into the banjo business. 

Stephen John Prior - Posted - 07/05/2016:  00:25:51

quote:

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Originally posted by tdennis

 

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread.  This has been one of the most interesting series of posts on S S Stewart banjos that I've seen.  Thanks to all the BHO resident experts for taking the time & effort to give us such  a detailed look into the banjo business. 

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I agree 100%.

Many thanks Joel.

Joe. The Brewster has exactly the same square cut out for the dowel end but the end pin has been altered. I will make a separate forum post when re assembled.

Hatteraskman - Posted - 07/05/2016:  10:50:21

FYI -Don't know if Eli Kaufman is still attending these Gatherings, but he helped me with an identification of my banjo, a ~1903 SS Stewart's Sons, at a symposium in Charlottesville several years ago [it was not marked as a 4S]. Incredibly knowledgable guy, knew Stewarts like no one I've met since. Here's the info for this fall.

minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/t...ember-3-5

1qwik70cuda - Posted - 07/06/2016:  04:09:17

Well here by request are some more pictures with some measurements it is a 13 inch pot on it and I've laid a tape measure along the fretboard and whatnot did the best I could