Stephen45710 - Posted - 10/18/2016:  18:41:10

I've been casually searching for Kay or similar type of American made 5 string banjo. Can anyone identify maker and approximate age of this banjo? Seller says it was sold by Sears....

 

 

tdennis - Posted - 10/18/2016:  19:01:12

This looks like a beginner level instrument made by Harmony c.1920-30's. 

RioStat - Posted - 10/18/2016:  19:08:25

Made by Harmony (whomever they were in the '60's) sold by Sears and Roebucks.........

Not much else to add to that, I believe.

The "Atomic" headstock logo screams Sears.....

Edited by - RioStat on 10/18/2016 19:09:13

caedmon - Posted - 10/18/2016:  20:10:55

The atomic logo actually has an S and an R in it (Sears and Roebuck), if you look closely. This is the Harmony/Kay/Sears/Silvertone family for sure. They put it on all sorts of things from Cameras to Air Conditioners in the ? Early Seventies?

Bob Smakula - Posted - 10/19/2016:  04:14:34

Though you didn't post pictures of the full front and back, it is no doubt is is a 1960's Harmony Resotone and branded with the  Sears Robuck atomic logo. It even has the Sears part number stamped on the back of the peghead,

Bob Smakula

Stephen45710 - Posted - 10/19/2016:  09:00:26

Thanks for all the responses! I really do appreciate the kind of help the banjohangout provides!

I need another banjo like I need another hole in my head, but many of you know how that goes. I understand this is NOT a collector instrument, but for some reason I've been wanting one of these old USA made cheap banjos. Here are some more pics, you can see someone has painted the resonator. The fifth string is barely over the fretboard, hard to tell if that is simply bridge placement or something more problematic.

I'm thinking this banjo is worth about $100-$125 - is that correct?

 

 

rexhunt - Posted - 10/19/2016:  10:10:35

I think the resonator is original.  I've seen that pattern before on some Resotones.  Those necks are so narrow, it wouldn't take much to get the 5th string like that.  It has the full complement of hooks - some I've seen have half as many.  I got mine as NOS from a music store going out of business in the 70's for $25 - inflation would probably make your price right in the ballpark.  The resonator is long gone but the banjo sounds better without it.

Rex

mikehalloran - Posted - 10/19/2016:  18:30:00

Resonator is original. I've seen them in dark brown, red and yellow, also.

beegee - Posted - 10/20/2016:  03:21:41

quote:

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Originally posted by RioStat

 

Made by Harmony (whomever they were in the '60's) sold by Sears and Roebucks.........

Not much else to add to that, I believe.

The "Atomic" headstock logo screams Sears.....

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The "atomic" logo is actually a highly stylized symmetrical  S and R