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JwallENC - Posted - 10/06/2020: 03:03:20
hello. Just picked up this old banjo. No markings. 38 brackets, 11" pot, about 23" neck, talon tailpiece. Came from the mountains of Virginia. the head looks kind of like a buckbee, but I have seen some other info about George Washburns using the talon tailpiece. Any thoughts appreciated.
how should I clean it up to keep it as original as possible, but playable?
Clifton Hicks - Posted - 10/06/2020: 03:55:02
The ubiquitous catalog Buckbee--probably the most commonly played banjo 1880-1920. The tailpiece, tuners, etc. were probably added later. I sell these periodically for $300-$500 depending on condition: youtu.be/8MIVzc74Ypg
JwallENC - Posted - 10/06/2020: 04:01:37
Thanks Clifton. Ironically I sent you the same question on patreon last night ! I have seen a bunch of Lyon and healy's with a similar look also.
Would a joel hooks bridge work nice here?
What should I use to clean wood and metal?
Bob Smakula - Posted - 10/06/2020: 04:23:06
The banjo is a low end Lyon & Healy. The telltale detail is the shoes. Their manufacturing technique was patented. They were made by producing a long bar with the shoes profile, then slicing off lengths for individual shoes, and other machining to get them to fit the banjo.
Though It is possible that Lyon and Healy could have sold the hardware to Buckbee, my call is the banjo was Chicago made, not New Your City.
Bob Smakula
Emiel - Posted - 10/06/2020: 04:30:55
The strings should be attached more like this:
JwallENC - Posted - 10/06/2020: 05:39:09
Thanks emiel. I know I need to replace those steel. What brand is recommended? I have no experience with nylgut. Or changing strings for that matter. This will be my first time
Emiel - Posted - 10/06/2020: 06:24:40
quote:
Originally posted by JwallENC
Thanks emiel. I know I need to replace those steel. What brand is recommended? I have no experience with nylgut. Or changing strings for that matter. This will be my first time
Nylguts are way too heavy compared to the period gut strings that were used (unless you're after the Nylgut sound). Better use La Bella No. 17 nylon banjo strings: 19 - 22 - 28 - 25w - 19.
spoonfed - Posted - 10/06/2020: 06:33:12
Another shout out for Labella 17s, I have them on an old Fairbanks Vega, perfect !
mike gregory - Posted - 10/06/2020: 06:38:29
Wow! I'm 3/4 of a century old, and that's the FIRST time I've ever seen a talon tailpiece.
JwallENC - Posted - 10/06/2020: 06:42:41
What I paid I figured was worth it just for the tailpiece
Joel Hooks - Posted - 10/06/2020: 06:47:12
quote:
Originally posted by JwallENC
Thanks emiel. I know I need to replace those steel. What brand is recommended? I have no experience with nylgut. Or changing strings for that matter. This will be my first time
La Bella 17s
JwallENC - Posted - 10/06/2020: 06:49:07
Joel, will reach out to you for a bridge. Heard about you via Clifton Hicks
Emiel - Posted - 10/06/2020: 10:30:28
quote:
Originally posted by JwallENC
Joel, will reach out to you for a bridge. Heard about you via Clifton Hicks
I've got Joel's "Morley" bridge. Excellent…
Clifton Hicks - Posted - 10/06/2020: 14:26:12
quote:
Originally posted by JwallENC
What should I use to clean wood and metal?
I wouldn't do anything other than brush off the dust and wipe a thin coat of oil over the wood. If I really wanted to cover up the wear spots in the fingerboard, I'd just carefully brush on a little bit of black India ink before letting that dry and the rubbing in a little oil.
Brett - Posted - 10/06/2020: 14:39:09
I have a bridge Joel made in a banjo I bought from him. It’s a fantastic bridge. And a well set up banjo to boot.
