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Williamharrison5 - Posted - 02/23/2026: 07:46:23
Hello!
A friend of mine decided it is time to sell their custom made Albert Hash Banjo that has been passed down through their family.
It is a banjo from the 1970's made by legendary fiddler Albert Hash. It was once in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, VA.
It has been appraised at $25,000 in the early 2000's, and more recently at $15,000. Looking for a buyer/price to set, any info would be appreciated! Photo attached and I have plenty more if interested.
Edited by - Williamharrison5 on 02/23/2026 07:54:27
Emiel - Posted - 02/23/2026: 08:51:16
This is the photo:
BobbyE - Posted - 02/23/2026: 09:05:34
I would be interested in knowing what the aforementioned appraisers were going by to arrive at those prices.
Bobby
BanjoLink - Posted - 02/23/2026: 09:11:15
quote:
Originally posted by BobbyE
I would be interested in knowing what the aforementioned appraisers were going by to arrive at those prices.
Bobby
Me too Bobby. I think someone was a little delusional when they set those prices.
pastorharry - Posted - 02/23/2026: 10:59:19
I've seen that banjo at the museum. A great piece of history, but probably not the best banjo,(especially for that kind of money). It needs to stay in the museum for the public to enjoy,
Bill Rogers - Posted - 02/23/2026: 12:04:25
Demand, not rarity, sets value for instruments. I see no demand for this banjo. Pastor Harry had it right. If a museum will take it, that’s where it should go.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 02/23/2026: 12:31:20
It think you should list it for $1 Gajillion and take the first offer for one $1 Bazillion that you get.
BanjoLink - Posted - 02/24/2026: 06:36:52
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooks
It think you should list it for $1 Gajillion and take the first offer for one $1 Bazillion that you get.
.......... or trade it for two zillion dollar banjos!
kyleb - Posted - 02/24/2026: 07:09:09
can we see a copy of the appraisal? really interested in seeing who claimed it was worth that much.
First Albert Hash isnt exactly a household name, sure he was an important old time fiddler, but.. not exacltly famous.
Secondly.. the entire fame he has was for his fiddling, i could see a fiddle he made commanding high dollar, but a banjo? Not so much.
Third, if you are trying to sell an insturment , for even $1200, you need better pictures, if the value is rapped up in who made it or owned it, you need rock solid evidence and full provenance. As is I think the value is less than $1000 from the photos, if you can really prove the connection you might be able to get up to 2 grand if you can find a Albert Hash fan who is also into banjos, but thats going to be difficult. I could be wrong so id be really interested in seeing an appraisal.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 02/24/2026: 07:13:14
If it were me, I'd offer it to the "appraiser" for $10k. After all, they would make a quick $5k on it. If they actually believed their appraisal then they would take the offer. Otherwise they are full of it.
BobbyE - Posted - 02/24/2026: 08:31:07
And even over the time frame difference, a $10,000 difference between the two appraisals is a lot for the exact same instrument.
Bobby
Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 02/25/2026: 06:01:52
quote:
Originally posted by kyleb
can we see a copy of the appraisal? really interested in seeing who claimed it was worth that much.
First Albert Hash isnt exactly a household name, sure he was an important old time fiddler, but.. not exacltly famous.
Secondly.. the entire fame he has was for his fiddling, i could see a fiddle he made commanding high dollar, but a banjo? Not so much.
Third, if you are trying to sell an insturment , for even $1200, you need better pictures, if the value is rapped up in who made it or owned it, you need rock solid evidence and full provenance. As is I think the value is less than $1000 from the photos, if you can really prove the connection you might be able to get up to 2 grand if you can find a Albert Hash fan who is also into banjos, but thats going to be difficult. I could be wrong so id be really interested in seeing an appraisal.
Hash was as well known as a fiddle maker as he was a fiddler.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 02/25/2026: 06:10:46
Andy FitzGibbon , I trust your opinion on value. Would you appraise this banjo at $15k?
Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 02/25/2026: 06:35:26
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooks
Andy FitzGibbon , I trust your opinion on value. Would you appraise this banjo at $15k?
It's impossible to form a useful opinion about the banjo, or it's value, from one blurry photograph.
In general, banjos priced/valued over $10k are a limited market these days, unless they are of the prewar Gibson variety. So the chances of a one-off instrument by a folk artist maker being worth $15k or more are slim.
kyleb - Posted - 02/25/2026: 08:49:36
quote:
Originally posted by Andy FitzGibbon
quote:
Originally posted by kyleb
can we see a copy of the appraisal? really interested in seeing who claimed it was worth that much.
First Albert Hash isnt exactly a household name, sure he was an important old time fiddler, but.. not exacltly famous.
Secondly.. the entire fame he has was for his fiddling, i could see a fiddle he made commanding high dollar, but a banjo? Not so much.
Third, if you are trying to sell an insturment , for even $1200, you need better pictures, if the value is rapped up in who made it or owned it, you need rock solid evidence and full provenance. As is I think the value is less than $1000 from the photos, if you can really prove the connection you might be able to get up to 2 grand if you can find a Albert Hash fan who is also into banjos, but thats going to be difficult. I could be wrong so id be really interested in seeing an appraisal.
Hash was as well known as a fiddle maker as he was a fiddler.
yes, i am aware. but was he a well known banjo maker? Like I said, I understand his fiddles commanding a higher price based on his fame as a player and maker, but I dont think that applies to his banjos.
Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 02/25/2026: 09:04:35
quote:
Originally posted by kyleb
yes, i am aware. but was he a well known banjo maker? Like I said, I understand his fiddles commanding a higher price based on his fame as a player and maker, but I dont think that applies to his banjos.
You said "the entire fame he has was for his fiddling", and I wanted to clarify that he was equally famous as an instrument maker. I don't know how many banjos he made. The one blurry photo we're presented with doesn't even confirm that the banjo pictured was actually made by him.
kyleb - Posted - 02/25/2026: 09:50:36
quote:
Originally posted by Andy FitzGibbon
quote:
Originally posted by kyleb
yes, i am aware. but was he a well known banjo maker? Like I said, I understand his fiddles commanding a higher price based on his fame as a player and maker, but I dont think that applies to his banjos.
You said "the entire fame he has was for his fiddling", and I wanted to clarify that he was equally famous as an instrument maker. I don't know how many banjos he made. The one blurry photo we're presented with doesn't even confirm that the banjo pictured was actually made by him.
True! My ramblins and my intentions dont always add up! Heres another poor picture of one his banjos, this one looks a lot like the one claimed here to be on display in the birthplace of country music mueseum, this one was not display when i was there a little over a year ago but id guess thats the one the op is talking about. appalachianhistory.net/2015/12...ddle.html
Edited by - kyleb on 02/25/2026 09:53:13
Williamharrison5 - Posted - 02/25/2026: 12:54:56
More photos attached, it is the banjo in that link. my friend had removed it from the museum i believe two years ago.
Edited by - Williamharrison5 on 02/25/2026 13:01:16
Williamharrison5 - Posted - 02/25/2026: 13:09:24
I appreciate all the replies. I do not know the first thing about banjos, but figured this would be the place to get some information and positive feedback. I have about 30 photos, figuring out how to properly upload. Thanks.
Edited by - Williamharrison5 on 02/25/2026 13:16:15
Williamharrison5 - Posted - 02/25/2026: 13:18:54
more
Edited by - Williamharrison5 on 02/25/2026 13:22:16
Jbo1 - Posted - 02/26/2026: 06:28:35
A couple of questions.
How are the hooks attached to the hoop that goes around the plastic head?
Is the metal silver (which might account for some of the high price assessments)?
Are there openings around the sides of the resonator? Otherwise, how would sound escape from the pot?
It's definitely an interesting looking instrument.
kyleb - Posted - 02/26/2026: 07:38:46
that is one cool banjo!
kyleb - Posted - 02/26/2026: 08:01:07
quote:
Originally posted by Jbo1
A couple of questions.
How are the hooks attached to the hoop that goes around the plastic head?
Is the metal silver (which might account for some of the high price assessments)?
Are there openings around the sides of the resonator? Otherwise, how would sound escape from the pot?
It's definitely an interesting looking instrument.
It looks like the hooks are welded or soldiered on to th tension hoop, guessing they have nuts under the flange.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 02/26/2026: 08:34:49
quote:
Originally posted by Jbo1
Is the metal silver (which might account for some of the high price assessments)?
If this were true, would the price not be higher due to current silver costs?
kyleb - Posted - 02/26/2026: 11:56:49
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooks
quote:
Originally posted by Jbo1
Is the metal silver (which might account for some of the high price assessments)?
If this were true, would the price not be higher due to current silver costs?
silver right now is high for silver, but thats still only $88 an ounce. Silver would make a premium, but not enough to bump this banjo up into the 15k range. that would be about 12 pounds of silver needed to get up that price..
Edited by - kyleb on 02/26/2026 11:59:28
BanjoLink - Posted - 02/26/2026: 13:15:47
Those close-up certainly make a difference and I can understand why an appraisal may be higher than we may think ....... still, I don't think as high as was quoted here. It is a neat banjo, but frankly not one that would demand a lot of interest from the banjo pickers that I know.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 02/26/2026: 13:31:45
1970 is not an especially “collectible” year for banjos. I think Kyle Creed banjos do well, but that is specifically for Creed, known as a banjoist and his designs.
Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 02/26/2026: 15:14:00
quote:
Originally posted by kyleb
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooks
quote:
Originally posted by Jbo1
Is the metal silver (which might account for some of the high price assessments)?
If this were true, would the price not be higher due to current silver costs?
silver right now is high for silver, but thats still only $88 an ounce. Silver would make a premium, but not enough to bump this banjo up into the 15k range. that would be about 12 pounds of silver needed to get up that price..
Maybe it has a solid silver tone ring 
Edited by - Andy FitzGibbon on 02/26/2026 15:14:25
Malcolm - Posted - 03/12/2026: 08:10:08
Hey all:
I wrote the biography of Albert Hash and am familiar with that banjo, one of two that Albert built "just for fun." Albert was a great luthier, but not a serious banjo builder. Considering what the other one sold for and the history of the instrument, I would offer your friend 750.00 for the banjo and make sure it became part of a museum collection hete in the area where Albert lived and played. He would want that.
JonHRivers - Posted - 03/31/2026: 16:25:19
Re: Hash banjo. Send photo and info to Wayne Henderson, Facebook/website, etc., Rugby,Va.,Grayson County. He may not want to give you a number on it’s worth but it’s for sure you’ll get a straight up assessment.
eljimb0 - Posted - 04/06/2026: 01:25:32
Whatever it is "worth" to somebody .. means that it what it is worth. Finding that somebody might take two lifetimes, but that is besides the point. If you are considering buying this fine banjo as an investment the important things to be aware of are 1.Does it say "REMO" on the head, and 2. Has the rim been cut. Happy Easter everyone! :)
Edited by - eljimb0 on 04/06/2026 01:26:34
