mjwalton - Posted - 05/28/2023:  08:32:34

I have inherited a banjo & a fiddle. Now I have no idea how much these are worth if they are worth anything? I am needing some advice on how to find out about how much they are worth & if it’s worth trying to sell them. I’ve asked a few appraisers but they want 200-300$ to appraise & I don’t even think they’re worth that much. Please anyone with any advice, I would greatly appreciate!

steve davis - Posted - 05/28/2023:  08:43:59

We need pictures and descriptions to make a fair,(albeit long-distance) evaluation.

mjwalton - Posted - 05/28/2023:  08:56:24

I can’t respond or post pictures for some reason?

mjwalton - Posted - 05/28/2023:  08:57:03

Ok it’s working now. I will post pictures. Would you mind if I posted pictures of the fiddle as well?

csacwp - Posted - 05/28/2023:  09:31:06

Your banjo is worth $50-$100.

thisoldman - Posted - 05/28/2023:  09:38:54

Pictures on home page. Here is one for $100 plus shipping on Reverb.  Keep it, restring it, and learn to play banjo!  

Go to the Fiddle Hangout for your question about the fiddle. 

Edited by - thisoldman on 05/28/2023 09:40:37

Culloden - Posted - 05/28/2023:  10:37:58

Banjo was made by the Harmony Co. from the sixties to the early seventies. It has a composite rim. Some people like them for camping or travel banjos because they are pretty durable and not expensive enough to worry about getting damaged.
While they have a small following they're only worth about what several members have already stated.

bob gregory - Posted - 05/28/2023:  15:09:52

Don’t worry about the money , restring it then enjoy it
Have fun with your inheritance

mike gregory - Posted - 05/28/2023:  15:36:15

Truth be told, basic BANJO is a lot easier than basic GUITAR.

Guitar has those two really FAT strings which are hard to reach, hard to hold down.

Banjo has four strings, maximum one per finger, and a drone 5th.



People on TV play it the HARD way, specifically to impress the audience.



But when you're sitting around with family and friends, they don't give a flying rat that you can't play like Roy Clark, Earl Scruggs, Steve Martin.



If you know 3 chords, you know 10,000 songs.



Like my unrelated  Australian cousin Bob says, restring it, then enjoy it.



If it was HARD work, I wouldn't DO it.



Look closely at my picture.

I am strumming with a farm-fresh cob of corn.

Literally, playing by ear.



How close are you to SUN CITY, AZ??

HangOut member LARRY HILL is there, and is very helpful about encouraging beginners.

(Edited to correct a spelling error)

Edited by - mike gregory on 05/28/2023 15:38:14

mjwalton - Posted - 05/28/2023:  15:45:04

Does anyone know about fiddles? I have one of those as well.

mjwalton - Posted - 05/28/2023:  15:47:06

Ok well that's 50-100$ more than I had. Where would I sell such a thing? quote:

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Originally posted by mjwalton

Ok it’s working now. I will post pictures. Would you mind if I posted pictures of the fiddle as well?

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rcc56 - Posted - 05/28/2023:  16:24:25

quote:

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Originally posted by mjwalton

Does anyone know about fiddles? I have one of those as well.

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I know a bit, but there is a lot to know.

The clearest pictures that you can muster would be needed-- front, back, sides; and front, back and sides of the scroll.  If there is a readable label, that would be helpful also, but large numbers of violins have labels that are not accurate.  If you can't provide a pic of the label, provide the text, even if some words seem strange or mis-spelled.

mjwalton - Posted - 05/28/2023:  16:38:41

It will only let me upload 3. I don’t think it’s worth anything but you never know? Someone may want it? I will try to post more. Just let me know what else you need. It has 3 new strings he bought & the little wooden piece & an orange rock thingy?

mjwalton - Posted - 05/28/2023:  16:40:25

quote:

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Originally posted by rcc56

quote:

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Originally posted by mjwalton

Does anyone know about fiddles? I have one of those as well.

---

I know a bit, but there is a lot to know.

The clearest pictures that you can muster would be needed-- front, back, sides; and front, back and sides of the scroll.  If there is a readable label, that would be helpful also, but large numbers of violins have labels that are not accurate.  If you can't provide a pic of the label, provide the text, even if some words seem strange or mis-spelled.

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rcc56 - Posted - 05/28/2023:  17:01:29

You can start with pics of the front and back of the whole instrument, and the front of the scroll.

And post the wording on any label.

To sell it, you could try bringing it to a music store, but they might not want to give you more than a few dollars for it.  Instead, if you have any friends who are musicians, you might show it to them, in case one of them might like to have a banjo.  We do have a classified ad service here.  Selling over the internet takes a bit of time and work, but it's do-able.  But you would have to learn how to pack the instrument so it won't break, and shipping is expensive these days.  A local sale would be easier.



The "wooden piece" is probably the part that's called the bridge, which holds the strings up; and the orange cake is rosin, which is used on the hair of the bow to give it friction so it will vibrate the strings.

Edited by - rcc56 on 05/28/2023 17:13:04

mjwalton - Posted - 05/28/2023:  17:32:04

Ok I figured it wasn’t worth anything so I’m probably just going to donate it. Someone may enjoy it.

rcc56 - Posted - 05/28/2023:  17:38:53

That would be a nice thing to do. I'm sure that somewhere near you is a kid who would like to make music whose family can't afford to buy instrument.

Helix - Posted - 05/29/2023:  04:30:14

mjwalton : First we might welcome this new person to our midst, even if she doesn't stay long.

You are welcome to contact me privately from here on the hangout. I would then with permission put you in touch with someone who lives in Deer, Arkansas up with the eagle, elk and bear.



Donation is the proper thing to do here in my opinion because if you work with a local 501.c3.org then you as the owner will be the one to determine the value and you will receive such full value from the IRS if and when you file your taxes next year for '23.



I may or may not agree with opinions of market worth as posted by our esteemed colleagues above, all of whose posts I regularly enjoy.  Some might say instruments like this are worth millions of dollars and smiles. 



And yes, this new program in Buffalo Meadows, Ark is definitely on the outreach to younger musicians, singers, writers, volunteers with a need for community involvement and families with a need for such growth and continuity. A Banjo and a Fiddle, it's just the thing needed at this the right time. I have no personal involvement with the program other than to share program information from another 501.c3



(Thank you , Mike. As it is there is a new non-profit 501.C3 program opening in Buffalo Meadows, Arkansas. A new customer of mine by chance lives in Deer, Ark. and is involved as a board member. The  unplugged coffeehouse is intended as an outreach for rural youths in the area. It's on the grounds of the American Legion post in that area, but since the county is dry, so is the American Legion Hall!!! I have already shared the Fiddler's Dream Thursday night open stage rules with this program. Rules make it possible to keep people from running the room, the show and others from deriving their sense of self worth from their participation in a non-profit. It's all new to them. Any program like this for music always goes through evolution and permutations unforeseen, but clearly predictable. I will explain further on the BHO. Thank you so very much Warrior, this is perfect. L)  from a private email.



Now this only took 24 hrs. I am proud of you people, you constantly tell the truth, and it's a veteran's organization that is dry. What a wonder indeed.



So, Ms. Walton if you would so kindly contact me off forum, my phone is on my classified ads here on the hangout and I would with their permission put you in contact with someone who lives upstairs from you.  Please text me first, I'm always available, but not to spam, it's too greasy.  thanks for asking all of us. 



And with everyone's kind permission, I will now add a photo, well 2 maybe.

Edited by - Helix on 05/29/2023 04:42:56

Banner Blue - Posted - 05/31/2023:  09:12:42

Your Barclay banjo was made by the US Harmony Company in Chicago during the late 1950s or early 1960s based on it having a hide head rather than a synthetic head. The Harmony Company sold these with their own name and called them Reso-Tone banjos. They also made this same banjo for Sears and Roebuck and other companies with different names on the headstock. They are fine student instruments when set up correctly which means tighten the head and adjust the string action at the nut and bridge for low string action. The tuners often need to be removed, washed free of gunk/dirt with naptha and then oiled preferably with a drying oil like Tri-Flo. The necks have a steel reinforcement that tends to keep them straight. I worked through a collection of 21 of these a few years ago. After spending a couple of (skilled) hours on each one, I had no trouble selling them for $150 each. $200 was a stretch.