Austin Stovall - Posted - 04/28/2020:  14:21:12

I just won the bid on this cool old banjo. Looking forward to getting it and fixing it up! It looks pretty good except for the 5th string peg area. It appears it may have originally had a guitar style tuner for the 5th string similar to whats found on slot head banjos but it has a regular paddle headstock.

 

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 04/28/2020:  20:41:55

I saw that. Nice catch!

Brett - Posted - 04/29/2020:  07:57:02

Austin, from my limited experience with about 4 of these by now, I’ll warn you. You might want to mark tension hoop to rim before you disassemble. The hoops are so very thin, and weak, it’ll likely only fit back on as it was previously assembled. They’re not easy to get back together. The whole design is so light, they tend to warp and bow and all kinds of stuff. Good find. Nice tailpiece in particular.

Brett - Posted - 04/29/2020:  07:57:31

Buckbees sound great.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 04/29/2020:  08:29:16

The crudely carved out chuck around the 5th string hole is not original. Your banjo originally came with a violin peg that would match those in the peghead.

Austin Stovall - Posted - 04/29/2020:  09:17:54

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The crudely carved out chuck around the 5th string hole is not original. Your banjo originally came with a violin peg that would match those in the peghead.

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Thanks I thought that could have been added because all the other ones I have seen had regular violin peg type 5th string tuners. I just couldn't tell by the picture if it was something attached to the neck or a broken piece that was originally part of the neck. 

Austin Stovall - Posted - 04/29/2020:  09:20:39

quote:

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Originally posted by Brett

Austin, from my limited experience with about 4 of these by now, I’ll warn you. You might want to mark tension hoop to rim before you disassemble. The hoops are so very thin, and weak, it’ll likely only fit back on as it was previously assembled. They’re not easy to get back together. The whole design is so light, they tend to warp and bow and all kinds of stuff. Good find. Nice tailpiece in particular.

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Thats a good Idea.  I definitly expect the rim to be pretty warped. 

Austin Stovall - Posted - 04/29/2020:  09:23:12

About what period do y'all think it is? I said 1880s but I expect it is probably more 1890s. Any thoughts?

Austin Stovall - Posted - 05/03/2020:  06:56:54

I got the banjo upon getting it I do think it is 1880s. Here are more pictures. One thing I noticed is the cutout at the heel seems shorter than similiar Buckbee banjos I have seen pictures of online.