GuitarGregg - Posted - 04/30/2018:  11:30:12

Hey Folks ... I am a guitar player (been playing since 1960) ... I was given a 5 String Sigma Banjo and I am curious as to it's worth ... It is a really pretty instrument, bound mahogany resonator and neck, oblong/diamond inlays in the bound neck, tone ring is polished metal (not sure what it is), beautiful inlay around the top edge of the resonator body, pearloid tuning nobs; The instrument is in mint condition with virtually no fret wear ... I'm not a banjo player and it just sits in my studio gathering dust ... any ideas? Thanks and blessings on ya, Gregg <><

buckholler - Posted - 04/30/2018:  12:29:46

Gregg,

You may want to post some photos, to help those in the know assist you.

Old Hickory - Posted - 04/30/2018:  20:56:23

Is it a Sigma SB-25, like this one advertised for $500 shipped on Reverb? No idea if the seller is going to get that.

Or does it look like this model?

The SB-25 is what we call a "Masterclone" since it copies the Gibson Mastertone platform, in this case the type with two-piece flange.

The second one is a shoe-and-hook banjo.  I'd guess it would fetch less than the SB-25.

Sigma banjos were made in Asia, probably Korea, by/for Martin in the 80s.  The Sigma logo copied the CF Martin logo.  They were OK banjos.  Probably similar in quality to Fender Leo banjos of the same period.

GuitarGregg - Posted - 04/30/2018:  21:54:25

Hey Old Hickory ... thanks for the response. The banjo I have was made in Japan, looks similar to the second banjo you posted but it has slightly different (and larger) mother of pearl inlays on the neck, and a beautiful inlay around the top edge of the resonator. I will try to take some pictures and get them uploaded tomorrow. Blessings on ya, Gregg <><

John Gribble - Posted - 05/01/2018:  01:14:41

Sigma was a label used by CF Martin for their Asian import line. The line was good quality, but nothing exceptional.

Old Hickory - Posted - 05/01/2018:  15:03:47

quote:

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Originally posted by GuitarGregg

Hey Old Hickory ... thanks for the response. The banjo I have was made in Japan, looks similar to the second banjo you posted but it has slightly different (and larger) mother of pearl inlays on the neck, and a beautiful inlay around the top edge of the resonator. I will try to take some pictures and get them uploaded tomorrow. Blessings on ya, Gregg <><

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Learn something new every day!  I thought - or maybe assumed - the Martin Sigma banjos were made in Korea.  If it says Japan on it, that's good. But like John says these still weren't great.  Multi-ply rims, mystery metal tone rings.

Use the search tool here and you'll turn up several discussions about Martin Sigma banjos.

tmjudd1 - Posted - 05/01/2018:  15:33:42

Not sure about the banjo, but. I purchased a Sigma 12 string acoustic guitar back in the seventies. It was a dream! I now wish that I never sold it. I think it was one of those accidental, one in a million, 'over the top' lower shelf guitars that somehow performed like a top shelf instrument. 'Stairway to Heaven' has never sounded the same since I sold that guitar, however. I'm currently working on a scratch built double-neck SG that will hopefully take me back to those days in a better way than before. It'll be much better than a mass produced Gibson, however. I'll never be able to play like Jimmy Page. Only 'HE' can do 'that'!... LOL

Edited by - tmjudd1 on 05/01/2018 15:34:36