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Bklyngeezer - Posted - 10/22/2023: 08:37:21
Hey All,
Just drove 350 miles round-trip to pick up this little gem. Needs many parts but the bones are there and I think it will clean up well. The horseshoe inlay was what caught my eye and made me reach out to the seller.
This will be my first banjo repair project. Some quick research here on the forum and at Mugwumps makes me think this was made by Buckbee for J.F. Stratton circa 1890 as a smaller student/parlor style. The name Bijou does kind of imply this.
Lots of cleaning and sourcing to do but I'm excited to hear its voice. Was a wall hanger for the last 40-50 years, it'll be nice to get it back to a player.
Edited by - Bklyngeezer on 10/22/2023 08:38:04
A Drum On A Stick - Posted - 10/22/2023: 10:12:23
For what it's worth, the peghead shape does look a lot like my Stratton-sold probable-Buckbee
Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 10/22/2023: 12:15:17
The few I've seen all looked to be Buckbee-built.
Bklyngeezer - Posted - 10/22/2023: 17:33:38
quote:
Originally posted by A Drum On A Stick
For what it's worth, the peghead shape does look a lot like my Stratton-sold probable-Buckbee
Are you using nylon strings?
kyleb - Posted - 10/23/2023: 06:55:37
I certainly see the buckbee similarities, but some of the hardware is not what ive seen on the buckee. those hooks are interesting, cant tell from the pictures but could be cobras like w.a. cole used.
Edited by - kyleb on 10/23/2023 07:10:31
A Drum On A Stick - Posted - 10/23/2023: 15:02:49
quote:
Originally posted by Bklyngeezer
quote:
Originally posted by A Drum On A Stick
For what it's worth, the peghead shape does look a lot like my Stratton-sold probable-Buckbee
Are you using nylon strings?
Yes. The previous owner had metal strings on it, but I switched back to nylon.
The neck seems pretty stout, so i wouldn't be surprised if it could take the extra strain, but I was looking for something more era-appropriate.
Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 10/24/2023: 09:38:47
quote:
Originally posted by kyleb
I certainly see the buckbee similarities, but some of the hardware is not what ive seen on the buckee. those hooks are interesting, cant tell from the pictures but could be cobras like w.a. cole used.
Most likely swapped off of something else. The nuts are the pattern used by Bacon, and the hooks do appear to be Fairbanks, Cole, ect "Cobra" hooks.
Bklyngeezer - Posted - 12/07/2023: 18:25:33
Started some cleanup and parts fabrication / sourcing.
-ordered a bone blank for top nut and a bone pip for 5th string nut
-repop no-knot tailpiece ordered
-have a fifth string tuner that was given to me and really fits the look of the banjo (free is best!)
-ordered a bridge and a set of Aquilla red strings
Going to have to stretch a skin for the head. It's a very odd size somewhere between 9- 9 7/8"
I can post progress pics if anyone's interested.
