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Banjo Jaws - Posted - 10/28/2025: 19:55:24
Hi.
Complete banjo greenhorn here.
I have acquired a banjo and would like help with identification.
There does not appear to be any maker marks on it.
There are a series of indents on the head that might be from an old metal label that fell off.
I found a serial number hidden on the dowel rod.
Pictures attached.
I was planning on getting a friend to do a repair tune up on it, but google tells me it may be fairly old, so maybe I should wait to see if it has value in its current state.
Help please.
Thanks
Jerry
Bill Rogers - Posted - 10/28/2025: 22:07:14
My read: inexpensive tenor banjo, ca. 1900-1930. No market value to speak of. Unless you know you want to learn to play it, it’s a wall-hanger.
Banjo Jaws - Posted - 10/29/2025: 05:43:31
Thanks Bill.
I like that it's a hundred years old. Gives it a bit of a story.
As for no real market value, in a way that's good. Because now I can do a repair tune up on it and play around on it. Perhaps myself or one of my kids will take a interest in learning the banjo.
Culloden - Posted - 10/29/2025: 08:10:26
Made by the Harmony Company of Chicago. Bill is right about the age and value. My guess is that it was made close to 1930. Harmony, like most Chicago makers, used 20 brackets. During the Depression some of the makers reduced the number of brackets to save money, as was done with this one.
Value, maybe $100 in the condition it's in. Even restored, it wouldn't bring a great price. Does it look like it may have had a resonator attached at some point? Open back tenor banjos with nineteen frets are a bit unusual.
Banjo Jaws - Posted - 10/29/2025: 12:27:13
Thanks. Great info.
I only paid $25 for it.
It may have had a resonator. There is a brass threaded nut inset into the center of the dowel bar.
Would I need to add a resonator?
I'm just interested in playing as a raw beginner for now.
Culloden - Posted - 10/29/2025: 12:52:24
quote:
Originally posted by Banjo Jaws
Thanks. Great info.
I only paid $25 for it.
It may have had a resonator. There is a brass threaded nut inset into the center of the dowel bar.
Would I need to add a resonator?
I'm just interested in playing as a raw beginner for now.
You don't need a resonator. It will play just fine as an open back. It might need a new head. If it does, measure across the head inside the tension hoop from several different places. Sometimes old rims get out of round. I think Harmony used 11 inch heads but I could be wrong.
For $25 you didn't get hurt. New strings, new bridge and, maybe, a new head and you will be in business for about the same amount you already have invested.
