Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/380085
flatfootjohnny - Posted - 12/26/2021: 14:59:16
Christmas came early for me as this arrived on Christmas eve. I bought it at auction in the summer but was unable to collect due to covid. Ooh its a beauty. 1860/70s 7 string Tunbridgeware in fantastic condition. Just needs a new head and a set of strings (and pr6 a tailpiece)
Alvin Conder - Posted - 12/26/2021: 15:09:41
Wow!!! Nice toaster...I mean, beautiful banjo.
Actually, really nice score. I love these old British banjos. Tunbridgeware especially. Yours is exceptionally nice.
Play it in good health and enjoy.
Jbo1 - Posted - 12/27/2021: 08:33:27
What would the tuning be on a 7 string?
esmic - Posted - 12/27/2021: 12:22:18
According to by then long-time banjo teacher and composer Thomas Armstrong, in his June, 1918 Crescendo article, a seven string banjo with 6 long, one short is tuned F G C G B D g.
For 7 long, the tunings he gives are G C F Bb G B D or F G C D G B D.
Edited by - esmic on 12/27/2021 12:27:27
m06 - Posted - 12/27/2021: 12:29:50
Fine example in wonderful, playable condition. And great that 150+ years after it was made it’s going to continue being played and cared for.
m06 - Posted - 12/27/2021: 12:56:28
quote:
Originally posted by Jbo1
What would the tuning be on a 7 string?
Herbert Ellis's late 19th century tutor 'Ellis' Thorough School For The Six Or Seven Stringed Banjo' indicates gGCDGBD.
This tuning closely corresponds with the typical tuning gGDGBD or gGCGBD for the English 6-string banjo and also with documented evidence from as far back as 1852 that the early English 5-strings were tuned gCGBD.
The additional bass string is tuned an octave below the 3rd string G on both 6 and 7-string English banjos.
Edited by - m06 on 12/27/2021 13:01:12
Helix - Posted - 12/28/2021: 03:47:24
Fantastic.. Where is the modern builder who does Marquetry. It looks like everything is there. And now the sound is next.
Well done.
flatfootjohnny - Posted - 12/28/2021: 07:01:41
quote:
Originally posted by esmic
According to by then long-time banjo teacher and composer Thomas Armstrong, in his June, 1918 Crescendo article, a seven string banjo with 6 long, one short is tuned F G C G B D g.
For 7 long, the tunings he gives are G C F Bb G B D or F G C D G B D.
Thanks thats good to know. I bought a set of 7 strings from Clifford Essex
flatfootjohnny - Posted - 12/28/2021: 07:03:32
quote:
Originally posted by m06
quote:
Originally posted by Jbo1
What would the tuning be on a 7 string?
Herbert Ellis's late 19th century tutor 'Ellis' Thorough School For The Six Or Seven Stringed Banjo' indicates gGCDGBD.
This tuning closely corresponds with the typical tuning gGDGBD or gGCGBD for the English 6-string banjo and also with documented evidence from as far back as 1852 that the early English 5-strings were tuned gCGBD.
The additional bass string is tuned an octave below the 3rd string G on both 6 and 7-string English banjos.
Yes this is the same as the Clifford Essex strings i just bought.
flatfootjohnny - Posted - 12/28/2021: 07:15:56
quote:
Originally posted by Helix
Fantastic.. Where is the modern builder who does Marquetry. It looks like everything is there. And now the sound is next.
Well done.
I do. Heres one im working on now and one i made a while ago
m06 - Posted - 12/28/2021: 09:48:39
quote:
Originally posted by flatfootjohnny
quote:
Originally posted by Helix
Fantastic.. Where is the modern builder who does Marquetry. It looks like everything is there. And now the sound is next.
Well done.
I do. Heres one im working on now and one i made a while ago
Simply beautiful. And with a solid connection to English banjo history. I'm no fortune teller but I can't help seeing a full order book and a long waiting list for you in future. 
m06 - Posted - 12/28/2021: 10:37:27
I have an early spun over rim English 7-string dating from c.1870, could be a few years earlier or later. Interesting comparison of my plain workaday design with your fine marquetry Tunbridge banjo from a similar period. The only repair work I needed to get done was a replacement tuning gear wheel as one of the originals had a bent tooth (see photo). I found a clockmaker in Abbotsbury, Dorset who was delighted to make a exact copy of that gear wheel for me. He even 'aged' the replica wheel. In place on the banjo his work is indistinguishable from the five original gear wheels. And I made the tailpiece and bridge. The bridge is a copy of one that I found in the case of another early 7-string I have.
Also I've done quite a bit of trial and error with strings including the Clifford Essex set. What feels and sounds nicest to my ear on my 7-string are Savarez 520R. I have to combine two sets for the seven strings. The gauges that work for me are:
1. .028
2. .032
3. .040
4. .030
5. .034
6. .042
7. .028
These are the strings fitted in the photos below. The tone is lovely and surprisingly loud. Maybe this will be helpful if at sometime you fancy experimenting with strings/gauges? Another tuning (with absolutely no documentary precedent - it's just my bit of fun!) is dDF#GDF#A which I based on extending Briggs' 1855 stroke style tuning dGDF#A in the same way as the English tuning gCGBD extends out to 7-string. Again the additional bass string (D) is an octave below the third string.
Edited by - m06 on 12/28/2021 10:45:39
flatfootjohnny - Posted - 12/29/2021: 02:37:42
quote:
Originally posted by m06
quote:
Originally posted by flatfootjohnny
quote:
Originally posted by Helix
Fantastic.. Where is the modern builder who does Marquetry. It looks like everything is there. And now the sound is next.
Well done.
I do. Heres one im working on now and one i made a while ago
Simply beautiful. And with a solid connection to English banjo history. I'm no fortune teller but I can't help seeing a full order book and a long waiting list for you in future.
Thanks Mike. I wish but unfortunately the majority of banjo players dont seem to share my enthusiasm for these crazy old style banjos.
flatfootjohnny - Posted - 12/29/2021: 02:39:49
quote:
Originally posted by m06
I have an early spun over rim English 7-string dating from c.1870, could be a few years earlier or later. Interesting comparison of my plain workaday design with your fine marquetry Tunbridge banjo from a similar period. The only repair work I needed to get done was a replacement tuning gear wheel as one of the originals had a bent tooth (see photo). I found a clockmaker in Abbotsbury, Dorset who was delighted to make a exact copy of that gear wheel for me. He even 'aged' the replica wheel. In place on the banjo his work is indistinguishable from the five original gear wheels. And I made the tailpiece and bridge. The bridge is a copy of one that I found in the case of another early 7-string I have.
Also I've done quite a bit of trial and error with strings including the Clifford Essex set. What feels and sounds nicest to my ear on my 7-string are Savarez 520R. I have to combine two sets for the seven strings. The gauges that work for me are:
1. .028
2. .032
3. .040
4. .030
5. .034
6. .042
7. .028
These are the strings fitted in the photos below. The tone is lovely and surprisingly loud. Maybe this will be helpful if at sometime you fancy experimenting with strings/gauges? Another tuning (with absolutely no documentary precedent - it's just my bit of fun!) is dDF#GDF#A which I based on extending Briggs' 1855 stroke style tuning dGDF#A in the same way as the English tuning gCGBD extends out to 7-string. Again the additional bass string (D) is an octave below the third string.
Thats a great job! Thanks for the info. Ill be experimenting in the new year
