A little newbie help?

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Fender Banjo Owners

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for the owners of the classic Fender Artist, Allegro and Concertone Banjos.

80 Members, Created 8/8/2012 -

Administrators: momo (owner)

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From bookernoe on 6/23/2019 2:41:08 PM

Hi folks,

Jim Mills suggested that this was the place to go for some help. I have had a very nice Fender banjo donated to our kids music camps here in North Florida. I haven't been able to identify it in any way via labeling, other than the serial number (KD04100019) and that it was made in Korea. I need to establish a value for it so we can sell it to benefit the camp. Here is the clincher - It is signed by J.D. Crowe. I personally asked J. D. to sign it, and bought him breakfast one day back in 2017 when I was in Kentucky. A friend here had told me he thought it was a $7-800 banjo, but the man himself wrinkled his nose and said it was a $3500 banjo BEFORE he signed it. Realizing it is Korean has me doubting that valuation, but I am clueless on how to get it figured out. Can anyone help? This link is for a series of photos on my Google Photos with details. Thanks! It's a great cause, and I want to maximize their return. Photos of Fender banjo signed by J.D. Crowe

4 Comments
	beegee says: 6/23/2019 3:24:24 PM This is a $700-900 banjo. It never was nor never will be a $3500 banjo. Model FB-59. It has no "collector" value other than the fact that they no longer make this model. The J.D. signature doesn't materially increase the banjo's value. You could likely sell the head to a J.D. Crowe fan. In a charity auction/raffle the banjo may may bring slightly more. They are decent banjos, sharing hardware components with other Korean brands. The walnut is unique to this model, but it doesn't compare to the California-made Fender Artists and Concert Tones from the 1960-70's. There have been some offered for $1100-1200 but they have not sold. If I could buy one "cheap," I would drop a quality tone ring in it, and re-work the peghead shape and inlays to make a nice custom player.
bookernoe says: 6/23/2019 3:40:54 PM I appreciate the quick response. I'm thinking put it on Ebay for a round, and if it doesn't work out, a raffle at $5 a pop. It does play very well in the hands of a real picker, and is beautifully decorated. I'm surprised to hear that a Crowe signature (and a photo of it taking place) doesn't add anything. He's quite the icon where I come from.
	rbfour5 says: 6/23/2019 3:44:54 PM BeeGee is correct on the price of the FB-59. And if you decide to sell the head- let me know! Thanks Dean
bookernoe says: 6/23/2019 3:55:58 PM LOL, maybe that's what I should do. Pull the head, put a new one on and polish it up.
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