Hodgymoto - Posted - 04/19/2026:  14:44:34

Can anyone tell me which imperial banjo this is? Seems like I bought this banjo probably 12 years ago. I just don't know much about it other than who made it.

Edited by - Hodgymoto on 04/19/2026 14:45:53

The Old Timer - Posted - 04/19/2026:  14:49:17

Photos please.

Hodgymoto - Posted - 04/19/2026:  14:53:00

Trying to figure this out.. how to add photos.

Imperial

Imperial

BRbanjer - Posted - 04/19/2026:  19:33:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hodgymoto

Can anyone tell me which imperial banjo this is? Seems like I bought this banjo probably 12 years ago. I just don't know much about it other than who made it.

---

A search on the forum for "Imperial banjos" will give you some answers. Here's an example:

banjohangout.org/archive/393583

Hodgymoto - Posted - 04/19/2026:  19:37:09

I don't see any pictures on that archived forum of banjos? I'm looking for a way to find out which banjo I have, it doesn't say on the banjo

A Drum On A Stick - Posted - 04/20/2026:  07:05:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hodgymoto

I don't see any pictures on that archived forum of banjos? I'm looking for a way to find out which banjo I have, it doesn't say on the banjo

---

The broken images work if you click them.  Tedious, but always worth checking on this site.

Not sure if that helps your case, just something I noticed.

O.D. - Posted - 04/20/2026:  08:05:36

I may be wrong but it's possible Ty Piper may not have model designations for all of his builds.
At one point around 1980 ish he had the model names of The Shiloh,Shenandoah, Chaparral, that I recall
Before that I seem to recall Roman numeral # 1,2,3.
I owned what I believe was a Shiloh,walnut banjo.
I have never seen a Chapparell model.It was an ornate model with fancy binding,gold plating if I remember correctly.
I had a brochure of the models listed above,,don't know where it is now.
Sorry no info on your banjo
Looks nice Imperials are great banjos
Good luck
E

Hodgymoto - Posted - 04/20/2026:  08:05:37

I find it odd that there is no serial number or model name anywhere on this banjo.. I bought it from Byron at the double stop in Guthrie.
I had told him about 15 years ago to find me a banjo that was a great value and a good collector's instrument. After about a year and a half he called me and said he had exactly what I was looking for. I wished I would have asked him what the model number was.

dpalmer - Posted - 04/20/2026:  18:39:32

Hello Chris,
Ty Piper very often would advertise Imperial in Banjo Newsletter.
Here is an ad from the back cover of BNL from April 1977.
The ad shows the same model Style 1 as your pictures.
Notice the peghead shape and inlay is identical, as is the fingerboard inlay.
Price in 1977: $860 with HSC.
Best regards<
DanP.

Imperial Style 1-April 1977

 

Hodgymoto - Posted - 04/20/2026:  18:43:00

Thank you so much! That sure looks like my banjo, so I guess it's called a style 1.. I sure hope it's worth more than they sold for a 1977..

Jbo1 - Posted - 04/21/2026:  08:57:29

Imperials were great banjos. I have one and have played a couple of others. Very pretty wood, great craftsmanship, very good tone. They seem to sell around the $1,500-2,000 range. I wouldn't sell mine, but it doesn't get played much once I bought a Gibson ESS Golden Deluxe.