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Posted By: kylevanmeter (+3) | Rate Member
This banjo, Serial Number 20 is a faithful reproduction of the HC Dobson 1881 Silver Bell Patent banjo design with a slotted headstock and 5th string pegbox.
The rim, cladding, and tone ring is fabricated using traditional hand cranked tin smithing machines and metal spinning forms to mirror the historic 1880’s New York job shop banjo manufacturing process. The tone ring is hand spun with a thin 24 gauge brass material, heat treated, and work hardened during spinning to mirror the resonant properties and weight of the original tone rings. The rim is 2.5” deep plus the tone ring arch height. A 5/16” diameter brass hoop on the top/bottom edges are encased by a 22 gauge brass sheet metal which wraps a thin maple core rim. The maple core is hand brushed with black paint.
The neck profile and shape are modeled after a blend of my two favorite HC Dobson slotted headstock banjos I have had the chance to study. The length from the nut to the rim is 18.5” with a comfortable 1 5/16” width at the nut. The banjo is set up with a set of Ome Light Gauge steel strings with a nickel wound 4th.. The banjo has a 2.5 degree neck angle and plays comfortably with a 5/8” bridge in standard tuning. The shorter 24-7/8” scale length places the bridge just below the centerline of the pot, making for a warm, rich tone.
The unique 5th string tuning peg nut is located at the 7th fret to position to match the majority of Henry Dobson’s original slotted headstock banjo design. This affords a considerable amount of additional maneuvering room and comfort when playing below the 5th position. The pegbox is built out from the neck to allow unimpeded access when playing up the neck past the 7th position. The tuning machines are Rubner Vintage series with a 15:1 gear reduction. This significant gear reduction allows strings to be tuned with considerable accuracy compared to the 4:1 ratio on Goto or Peghed brand tuning machines.
The banjo neck features a high gloss French polished shellac finish with a light microcrystalline wax coating. While slightly less durable than modern lacquer and urethane finishes, the shellac finish creates a very thin coating that allows for a less restricted tone and allows for much easier repairs than modern finishes. Every few years, a light coating of wax and minor buffing is all the maintenance necessary to keep the finish looking great for the next century.
The general banjo specifications are as follows:
11? Nickel Silver Spunover ¼” Rim
Hand Spun 24 gauge Brass Tone Ring
Figured Maple Neck
French Polished Shellac Finish
Slotted Headstock Shape
1-5/16? Black Oxe Nut
24-7/8? Scale Length
Narrow/Low Fretwire
Oiled Rosewood Fingerboard
Rosewood Peghead Overlay
5th string tuner at 7th fret position
Antiqued Brass Fingerboard Extension and Hardware
Mother of Pearl Inlay Dots
Menzies Medium Thickness Goat Skin Head
Antiqued Brass Hardware
Rubner Classic Series 15:1 Tuning Machines
Antiqued Brass Custom Dobson Tailpiece
22 Hook 1/8" Grooved Tension Hoop
Seeders Violin Bridge
Video sound samples below:
youtu.be/8uQ9pBcpW5o
youtu.be/n9U5Ii1Lv_w
Location:
United States, Liberty Twp, OH, 45011
Shipping:
Shipping approx. $75 USPS
Payment Methods:
Check/Money Order, Cash (in person), Paypal
Return Policy:
Returns accepted. Buyer must contact seller within 2 days to arrange return. Refund will be given as Money Back. Buyer pays return shipping.
Condition of Item(s):
New
Category:
Make:
K. VanMeter
Ad Status:
Active
Listing No:
107962
Page Views:
955
This ad will automatically expire 4/1/2025 1:28:08 PM unless updated before that date. To keep the system current, ads expire if not updated for more than 60 days.