cliffc - Posted - 09/02/2022:  10:54:56

Hello friends! I picked up an unmarked banjo from eBay and was hoping someone could help or at least have fun trying to ID it.



Preface: I am fairly new to the banjo world (4 months), however, I have quickly become immersed (obsessed maybe?) with not only playing, but also buying. I now have 5– oops. In addition to daily playing, I also spend time every day looking at old banjos and learning the wonderful rich history or the banjo in the US.





This banjo was simply labeled “antique banjo”. It indeed looks very old. Appears to be a plated (nickel?) spun rim and hardware..all original. The celluloid pegs, skin head also look originally. The bridge is obviously a replacement, as well as the cheap no-knot tailpiece. It seems

To be in fine shape. I cringe at the thought of it being strung with steel strings for possibly 100+ years, and even though they are currently light gauge, the neck has a slight upward angle. No noticeable twist. It plays fine (great, actually) up to 8-10th frets, but then the action gets fairly high.

When it arrived, I took a couple min to tune up and adjust the bridge and I have to say.. I am blown away by the sound. The skin head sound so plunky and sweet and the lack of sustain allows the subtle high notes to shine. I LOVE it, even though I will soon reluctantly replace the steel with nylgut to preserve the authenticity and prolong the life of the neck.



As far as ID. What struck me initially is the peghead. I had seen shapes similar to this on the very early Dobsons (1867-78), but nothing post 1880. I recently found a George C Dobson “Victor” (c. 1880) on reverb and it is very strikingly similar to this…other than the inlay embellishments and a few more brackets. Almost identical rim, dowel, peghead.



So my most optimistic guess would be that I have a cheaper, catalog, dialed-down version based on the victor… possibly made by buckbee in the late 1800s. As I mentioned, I’m no expert and assume it is possible that is a cheaper knock-off or kit.





Further clues:



The auction also had another banjo. I’ll call it “big brother”. This seemed to be of higher quality. It had the traditional buckbee heel, the rim was double spun, the brackets were fastened with bolts, not slotted screws. It also had an old Dobson tailpiece and what looks like a metal (aluminum?) two-footed bridge. (See pic) They looked to be made similarly otherwise. It was well loved and played because the neck was noticeably worn and it had a replacement powder coated head that was also very worn.



Any help or ideas would be appreciated!



Also, would I lose the sound I love when I put nylgut strings on? And is it possible to fix the neck angle? There are two screws to tighten the neck to the rim, but no actual adjuster





Thanks all!!!

Edited by - cliffc on 09/02/2022 11:14:42

Side/heel

Finger board

Pegs

Tailpiece

Rim/brackets

Heel/dowel

Rear

Peghead rear

Peghead front

Head

Front

 

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 09/02/2022:  11:22:20

From what I've read, Dobson banjos were actually built by Buckbee.



The only way to know what "Nylgut" will do to the tone, you'd have to try them, although I would instead use LaBella nylon strings. In any case, set-up will need to be changed,.

cliffc - Posted - 09/02/2022:  11:26:57

quote:

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Originally posted by G Edward Porgie

From what I've read, Dobson banjos were actually built by Buckbee.



The only way to know what "Nylgut" will do to the tone, you'd have to try them, although I would instead use LaBella nylon strings. In any case, set-up will need to be changed,.

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I've also read that about the dobsons. 

 

thanks for the recommendation! The Labellas sound interesting. 

TriMD180 - Posted - 09/02/2022:  17:17:07

Yes, I remember both banjos the guy that got the other banjo got it for 5 dollars over my highest bid. Grrrrrr…. Your banjo definitely is a buckbee no name that is a copy of the banjos they made for Celebrated Benary, the only difference between yours and a real one is that the metal plate on your is missing the name. Here is a picture of the peghead and heel plate on mine.

Benary HS with my replacement inlays

Benary heel plate

cliffc - Posted - 09/02/2022:  19:20:44

That's it! Thanks so much! That opens up so much to learn about this banjo. Do you know what year yours is? Yours is the first Benary  I've seen with the same peghead shape.  I remember another one, (on eBay) but the peghead was slightly different, without the extra bump outs in the bottom. It seems like the Buckbee peghead shape became minimalized over the years. 

 

The one you bid on seemed unique as well. I don't think I've seen the shoes attached with 

Nuts/bolts like that before. 

 I wonder if the one I bought was the original owner's second banjo, or maybe bought for a companion or family member who didn't play as much.  It sure looks and sounds sweet. 

 

quote:

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Originally posted by TriMD180

Yes, I remember both banjos the guy that got the other banjo got it for 5 dollars over my highest bid. Grrrrrr…. Your banjo definitely is a buckbee no name that is a copy of the banjos they made for Celebrated Benary, the only difference between yours and a real one is that the metal plate on your is missing the name. Here is a picture of the peghead and heel plate on mine.

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