jbalch - Posted - 04/04/2017:  13:01:22

I was working in Dayton Ohio and noticed a nice looking music store in a shopping center.  hauermusic.com/">http://hauermusic.com/

Having a few minutes to spare, I went in for a look.  The majority of the store was filled with the usual fare (lots of new run-of-the-mill Fender products). But near the back was a small glass case with some VERY cool ... and unexpected surprises. 

They had a 1910 Vega Whyte Laydie #7 5-string in it's original alligator-hide case.  The case is almost as cool as the banjo.

Also a B&D #6 Ne Plus Ultra Tenor. 

I'm not in the market for additional banjos ... so I was not interested as a buyer.  But very surprised to find those awesome and rare  instruments in a shopping-center music store.

Edited by - jbalch on 04/04/2017 15:24:19

rudykizuty - Posted - 04/04/2017:  13:16:38

Any recollection of what they were asking for the B&D? 

jbalch - Posted - 04/04/2017:  13:39:14

I don't remember exactly.  But it seemed high to me. 

It was unrestored...with plenty of honest player wear.  I didn't take it out of the case.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 04/04/2017:  14:12:22

The #6 NPU is a 1927 tenor - SN 22926 - priced at 10-11K, I think.

Polle

Dan Gellert - Posted - 04/04/2017:  14:41:30

I saw the WL a while back when the store was still down town.  As I recall, it was pretty beat up, and they wanted a lot for it.

I agree about the case, though-- only one like that I've seen!

Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/04/2017:  17:21:05

They have been trying to sell the Whyte Laydie for quite a while, but lets face it, we rarely go into a music shop and see banjos as cool as these. Reminds me that it really is worth going in to pawn and music shops regularly just in case something really fun pops up.

Bob Smakula

smakula.com 

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 04/04/2017:  18:03:36

The only banjos I've ever seen in pawn shops in my area have been bottlecaps, and then only every blue moon. Now if I wanted a semi-automatic or a grenade launcher...

banjotrader - Posted - 04/05/2017:  10:28:21

This NPU banjo has a rather interesting history.  The previous owner's grand-daughter acquired the instrument from her then deceased father & mother's estate.  It had belonged to Herschel "Jack" Shetterly (the grand-father). He mysteriously never played this banjo and always kept it hidden (as the granddaughter recalled) - two generations were not allowed to take it out from under the bed/cough.   Although he played regularly on a Gibson TB.  But as we can see this NPU was once very well played... Had he been keeping it for someone; only that was never spoken of either...



Thankfully the private sale of this banjo to me fell through, and I managed to acquire a much more rare specimen in its place.   Jim is reportedly only interested "displaying" this banjo for the stores main glass-showcase.

Edited by - banjotrader on 04/05/2017 10:33:54

dutchtenor - Posted - 04/23/2017:  00:15:13

i will post hquote:

---

Originally posted by jbalch

 

I was working in Dayton Ohio and noticed a nice looking music store in a shopping center.  hauermusic.com/">http://hauermusic.com/

They had a 1910 Vega Whyte Laydie #7 5-string in it's original alligator-hide case.  The case is almost as cool as the banjo.

Also a B&D #6 Ne Plus Ultra Tenor. 

I'm not in the market for additional banjos ... so I was not interested as a buyer.  But very surprised to find those awesome and rare  instruments in a shopping-center music store.

---

Thanx to you posting, my attention was attracted to this beautiful Ne Plus Ultra. Whether that was the intention or not, -irrelevant to me- it is on its way to my home! This is a dream come true. My whole life I am a B&D player and it was always way out of my budget to play a #6 (untill now :-). So, really thankful for your posting!

However, there is now a large gap in my wallet, which I will have to repair a bit.. In the coming months I will probably sell two beautifull B&D's a Roy Smeck Stage Model 4 (without the glittery looks!) and another upgraded Sultana 1-2.

I will post some pics in a the near future, of all the Bacons above.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 04/23/2017:  01:08:46

Congratulations Wouter !!!

You did mention your dream about a #6 in a mail to me five years or so ago - finally it came true!  I´ll at once put you in as the reference for this beauty in my databases.

I did last spring and also later have a lot of writings with Jim Hauer - he could for example due to his technical insights give me some valuable infos about the multiple original surface treatments for this un-restored banjo - somewhat/very different from that of lower grade B&D´s.

Do let me/us know more - once you get it and are having it ready for action.

Polle

banjotrader - Posted - 04/23/2017:  02:37:36

Congrats Wouter!!

For a smooth transfer ensure that the proper CITES permits are acquired. Since 2016, there is a complete ban on Ivory trade worldwide. Jim will require an export permit, and you an import permit; otherwise you risk having the banjo being seized (without recourse).

fws.gov/international/travel-a...wers.html

Edited by - banjotrader on 04/23/2017 02:47:33

dutchtenor - Posted - 04/23/2017:  13:45:19

Thanx gents! I did not know about the ban on ivory. Totally understandable but not for pre-war musical instruments. But then again, I do not make the law. It has already been shipped, so, although I am not religious, a little prair will possibly help. You make me a bit nervous..
I' ll keep you all informed about the process..

And, as you are probably aware, the NPU #6 copy on the classifies is my posting... That is really a stunning looking beauty, but without my beloved Bacon sound!

I think I will withdraw it, because of the ivory story (thanks for that!). And Polle, I will probably try to contact you in the next months. My youngest son is awaiting news if he can continue his study in Copenhagen. If so, I will be in your neighbourhood more often and I would very much like to pay you a visit. But, thats for later, first ... the #6..

dutchtenor - Posted - 04/26/2017:  04:13:09

The NPU #6 has arrived!! Thanks to great packing, shipping and Customs handling. I will have a test this evening and take her to a gig in Germany Friday. I will post some pics. First impression; an all original never replated time-warped beauty. Only some rhinestones missing. If it plays well, I will sell one or two of my other B&D's. I am a very happy man!!