fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/16/2026:  01:27:03

This is a highly ornate pearloid banjo I'm trying to identify. Seems quite unique system here . Anyone familiar with this way of attaching rim ?

Unidentified banjo

 

1961brd - Posted - 04/16/2026:  03:20:57

WOW!
I always thought "RIMS" were wooden...3-ply, block, etc. and were underneath the 1). Tone Ring, 2). Head, 3). Tension Hoop, and 4). J-Hooks. Thanks for clarifying.

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/16/2026:  03:40:34

The tension hoop is attached to the rim or the rim is attached to the tension hoop . But that's pretty irrelevant to the question isn't it ?

Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/16/2026:  03:48:12

A single photo of hardware is not enough info to ID your banjo. Post clear, in focus pictures of the full front, full back, peghead close up, side of heel, and inside the banjo with the resonator removed.



Bob Smakula

Edited by - Bob Smakula on 04/16/2026 03:50:00

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/16/2026:  03:58:54

banjohangout.org/forum/attachm...ID=319020banjohangout.org/forum/attachm...ID=319019

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/16/2026:  04:00:08

Im not sure how to. I've uploaded 2 new pictures now I've purchased in the banjo in  my attachments banjohangout.org/forum/attachm...ID=319020 

banjohangout.org/forum/attachm...ID=319019

Edited by - fiddlerwill on 04/16/2026 04:03:01

 

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/16/2026:  04:22:33

banjohangout.org/forum/attachm...ID=319019

 

RioStat - Posted - 04/16/2026:  06:25:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by fiddlerwill

The tension hoop is attached to the rim or the rim is attached to the tension hoop . But that's pretty irrelevant to the question isn't it ?

---

I believe that's the issue people are having.....your question is......well, questionable, the way it is worded

tdennis - Posted - 04/16/2026:  07:23:39

Your first pic of the neck attachment is too unfocused to clearly see the engineering. (The zero fret & overall design may be an indication that this instrument originated in Europe).

Edited by - tdennis on 04/16/2026 07:24:26

The Old Timer - Posted - 04/16/2026:  07:23:51

I really have no specific info on such a banjo, but the construction and especially the zero fret and clunky hardware on the pot made me think "German".

Someone other than me will chime in more knowledge.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/16/2026:  08:11:48

fiddlerwill

Again I will recommend "pictures of the full front, full back, peghead close up, side of heel, and inside the banjo with the resonator removed."

The peghead closeup you added looks good, but I'll add a recommendation of a back of peghead closeup. Seeing the tuners can help with country of origin.

With the pics provided I am, so far, in agreement with others that the banjo is of European origin. Opinion subject to change with any new information.

Bob Smakula

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/16/2026:  08:20:17

Ok thanks for your help. When i can take better pictures i will.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/16/2026:  08:25:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by fiddlerwill

Ok thanks for your help. When i can take better pictures i will.

---

Will,

On a hunch I went to your home page and saw that you have sone great pictures there. Adding back of peghead and inside of banjo (resonator removed) are really all I would add, but I recommend you Post the pictures directly to this forum. Though they are on your media page, making them easily accessible on this page will get you more replies.



When you (and only you) view this page, you can scroll down to an attachments box that has your media photos. click on each one and they will appear in "your attachments" box. Then click post reply. 



Very simple and much more convenient for us that have sucky internet connections.



Bob Smakula

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/16/2026:  09:05:13

Thanks again . First time on this forum so a bit unsure how it all goes!!

Dan Gellert - Posted - 04/16/2026:  09:47:41

Looks to me like the neck is mounted to the resonator, with the rest of the banjo a separate assembly. Same idea as a zither banjo, but made to look superficially more like a standard banjo design.

Tuedelband - Posted - 04/17/2026:  03:29:08

I can't help,

but it might be hiding here.

banjoworld.de/index._5html

Maybe you could send him an email and ask.

Google Lens finds this:

es.wallapop.com/item/extraordi...219010465

But that doesn't really help either; it just means it's not a one-of-a-kind item.

I also think the price is too low? 

You have a nice banjo there.

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/17/2026:  05:38:42

That's the banjo i bought. I made an offer lower than the asking price. No tailpiece or head . Beautiful banjo indeed but .... a bit of a leap in the dark!! Another banjo to get up and running!!
I started looking because the head on my old weyman Ive had for 40 yrs broke and its in pretty bad condition too, so a new head would be about 60 and i could get an up and running modern banjo for 200 so i did that .....
but i kept coming back to this fancy yoke its very beautiful and looks well made so in the end i made an offer !

GrahamHawker - Posted - 04/17/2026:  09:49:43

Looks like something made by Framus (the pot at least). Perhaps made by them for another company.

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/17/2026:  10:11:08

The response from Guenter Hello....that banjo was made by the "Chevin" company in Paris in the
1930/40th.

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/21/2026:  01:11:29

Thanks everyone for your contributions

fiddlerwill - Posted - 04/30/2026:  08:09:43

Glad to say i was able to get a head on this banjo . So its up and running . On sssuming these machine heads are replacements?banjohangout.org/forum/attachm...ID=319293

 

Mudrock - Posted - 05/01/2026:  22:03:56

IT's quite FLASHY. looks to me to have a form of 1950's Dinette/ toilet seat formica (seen on many period lapsteels).
Can't coment on the overall craftsmanship, but the NUT seems crude. IF it can be set up well it may play fine.
4 sttings seem a little more forgiving since used more with chords for accompanyment. I enjoyed seeing it, & probably would have given it a home myself & enoyed tinkering with it.
Best wishes, C.