IMBanjoJim - Posted - 02/17/2021:  15:40:47

Just bought this from a collector back in Virginia. I first heard about Tilton banjos from a newsletter by The 12th Fret, a music store in Toronto, and have wanted one ever since. That one was sold a number of years ago, and this is the first one I’ve been aware of for sale since then; I certainly have never seen one on ebay. The banjo would be considered a bottom-tension banjo.
Not sure if the patent date actually reflects when the banjo was made—perhaps someone here knows how long Bruno made them.
At any rate, a beautiful old New York banjo.
Also have not decided if I will re-string with Nylgut and play it, or just look at it. Probably will play it.

 

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 02/17/2021:  15:41:51

And more...

joe28675 - Posted - 02/17/2021:  17:06:30

Bruno was a distributor, not a manufacture.. Most "Tilson's improvement" banjos had wood rims and I have even seen a couple with copper clad rims. Some had a paper label glued to the info stick where yours is stenciled. I believe the later ones had the paper. All that I have seen had a serial number stamped on the two wood rings on the inside of the rim.
Maybe you should research it and then you can tell us.
The serial number on the one that I have now is #5595 and the identifying info is stenciled on the stick.

Nice that you got the original tailpiece with yours, it is often missing.

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 02/17/2021:  17:23:07

quote:

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Originally posted by joe28675

Bruno was a distributor, not a manufacture.. Most "Tilson's improvement" banjos had wood rims and I have even seen a couple with copper clad rims. Some had a paper label glued to the info stick where yours is stenciled. I believe the later ones had the paper. All that I have seen had a serial number stamped on the two wood rings on the inside of the rim.

Maybe you should research it and then you can tell us.

The serial number on the one that I have now is #5595 and the identifying info is stenciled on the stick.



Nice that you got the original tailpiece with yours, it is often missing.

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Thanks for the tip about where to find the serial number! Mine is 3938. Now...does anyone know what year that would make it?

Edited by - IMBanjoJim on 02/17/2021 17:23:34

banjukebox - Posted - 02/17/2021:  17:36:41

That's an interesting mechanism for tightening the head!

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 02/17/2021:  17:44:21

quote:

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Originally posted by banjukebox

That's an interesting mechanism for tightening the head!

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Top, and in this case, bottom,  tension banjos fascinate me. No real reason they didn't become the  type that we play today...

Edited by - IMBanjoJim on 02/17/2021 17:44:44

joe28675 - Posted - 02/17/2021:  17:59:48

Well, there is a reason that design didn't survive. As you tighten the head, you are raising the action at the same time.

Alvin Conder - Posted - 02/17/2021:  19:50:19

Jim - Aaaanother good score.

Don’t let it be a wall hanger. Looks in good enough condition to easily get it playable, though you are going to need an unusual tool to tighten that head. A long shafted clock key may work. You just need to find one long enough and the exact size needed to fit the tension screws and clear the rim of the pot.

Enjoy it.

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 02/17/2021:  20:39:49

quote:

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Originally posted by Alvin Conder

Jim - Aaaanother good score.



Don’t let it be a wall hanger. Looks in good enough condition to easily get it playable, though you are going to need an unusual tool to tighten that head. A long shafted clock key may work. You just need to find one long enough and the exact size needed to fit the tension screws and clear the rim of the pot.



Enjoy it.

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Alvin--the reason I'm wondering about making it playable is the  skin is thin to the point of showing the wood rim at the edge. I'm not sure tightening that head would work. I want to think long and hard before doing anything.

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 02/17/2021:  20:41:43

Just poked my nose into America's Instrument, and learned that this banjo, with the brass pot, could be bought for $8 in 1874.

joe28675 - Posted - 02/17/2021:  21:02:15

quote:

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Originally posted by IMBanjoJim

Just poked my nose into America's Instrument, and learned that this banjo, with the brass pot, could be bought for $8 in 1874.

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I hope you didn't over pay!!!! 

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 02/17/2021:  21:29:22

quote:

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Originally posted by joe28675

quote:

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Originally posted by IMBanjoJim

Just poked my nose into America's Instrument, and learned that this banjo, with the brass pot, could be bought for $8 in 1874.

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I hope you didn't over pay!!!! 

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Lets just say it was more than $8, and leave it at that...

Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 02/18/2021:  02:26:01

quote:

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Originally posted by joe28675

Well, there is a reason that design didn't survive. As you tighten the head, you are raising the action at the same time.

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They're also a pain to replace the head on. 

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 03/02/2021:  12:18:03

Finally got around to making a short video of the Tilton. Here is how she sounds:

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 03/02/2021:  12:20:55

quote:

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Originally posted by IMBanjoJim

Finally got around to making a short video of the Tilton. Here is how she sounds:

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VIDEO: Swanee River
(click to view)

 

kyleb - Posted - 03/02/2021:  12:21:31

quote:

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Originally posted by IMBanjoJim

Just poked my nose into America's Instrument, and learned that this banjo, with the brass pot, could be bought for $8 in 1874.

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I'll give you a dollar for every year since for it Jim ;-)

Edited by - kyleb on 03/02/2021 12:24:08

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 03/02/2021:  12:45:08

quote:

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Originally posted by kyleb

quote:

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Originally posted by IMBanjoJim

Just poked my nose into America's Instrument, and learned that this banjo, with the brass pot, could be bought for $8 in 1874.

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I'll give you a dollar for every year since for it Jim ;-)

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Lesse...naught from naught is naught, Uncle Jed! And 2021 from 1874 would be 147...so I would get $147. Man, I WISH that was all I had paid! Looks like I will have to pass on your interesting offer. I know I will kick myself in the morning...

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 03/02/2021:  12:46:21

quote:

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Originally posted by IMBanjoJim

quote:

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Originally posted by kyleb

quote:

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Originally posted by IMBanjoJim

Just poked my nose into America's Instrument, and learned that this banjo, with the brass pot, could be bought for $8 in 1874.

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I'll give you a dollar for every year since for it Jim ;-)

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Lesse...naught from naught is naught, Uncle Jed! And 1874 from 2021 would be 147...so I would get $147. Man, I WISH that was all I had paid! Looks like I will have to pass on your interesting offer. I know I will kick myself in the morning...

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spoonfed - Posted - 03/03/2021:  08:07:35

tunable Irish bodhrans use a similar system to tighten the skin ! more banjo sounding than I expected though, Jim what is the bridge made from ? it looks fairly dark in hue.

IMBanjoJim - Posted - 03/03/2021:  08:10:52

The bridge is just a regular bridge that was also stained black. Perhaps by whoever stwined the head black.