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Production numbers
From EEB on 2/26/2026 11:54:31 AM
G. P. Matthew was an early volume manufacturer of banjos. Established as an independent maker in Birmingham in1882. By mid-1885 his advertising refers, in addition to his own banjos at three price points, to instruments manufactured under contract for other names. One of these was the 'E. M. Hall Banjo' sold by Francis Brothers & Day, Oxford Street, London.
Without details of the number of employees at any given stage in the business it is difficult to estimate the number of banjos that Matthew produced each year.
i have an all original 12" G. P. Matthew 7-string with a wooden tailpiece and early-style ball rim hardware, engraved metal clad headstock and machine heads. The serial number is low 1000 and stylistically this banjo looks to be made no later than c.1883/4, possibly earlier.
I'm curious to hear opinions on Matthew likely annual output at this early stage of his career.
8 Comments |
 | Stephen John Prior says:
2/28/2026 9:12:16 AM
Did you buy the 7 string Matthew at Ewbanks Mike ? I was looking at the style of neck brace on that banjo as it is quite a unique pattern. I am currently restoring a banjo with the same style brace which although unmarked I believe to also be by Matthew.
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 | EEB says:
3/1/2026 9:27:13 AM
Steve, yes this is the recent Matthew at Ewbanks. It was the pointers to being an early Matthew that made my mind up. I have a Matthew 7-string probably no later than c.1892/3, that has a serial 22353. Depending on how he structured his numbering, with the 1882 start date, that puts his output at around 2000 banjos. I imagine that output increased as his workshop space expanded. On that basis a low 1000,s serial could possibly be as early as 1883?
I’ll get photos of this banjo uploaded this week.,,,
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| EEB says:
3/1/2026 9:30:34 AM
Steve, yes this is the recent Matthew at Ewbanks. It was the pointers to being an early Matthew that made my mind up. I have a Matthew 7-string probably no later than c.1892/3, that has a serial 22353. Depending on how he structured his numbering, with the 1882 start date, that puts his annual output at around 2000 banjos. I imagine that output increased as his workshop space expanded. On that basis a low 1000,s serial could possibly be as early as 1883?
I’ll get photos of this banjo uploaded this week.
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| Stephen John Prior says:
3/1/2026 10:37:21 AM
Ok thanks I was interested as I the one I am restoring has the same pattern dowel brace. I will check but I don't think it has a serial number. Certainly no Matthew stamp but obviously by him. I think his Star Brand had serial numbers but no name stamp. I'll be really interested to see your photos. I would have expected the hoop to have been engraved on that one but it appeared to be plain.
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| EEB says:
3/5/2026 1:29:32 PM
The 19 ‘frets’ on this early Matthew are puzzling. They appear original spec or contemporary fitted. However, they are more like metal flush frets, almost but not quite flush with the fingerboard. I’ve played many same period flush fret banjos and have not seen anything like this before. I did even wonder if an early owner had filed them down. It appears not as the frets are even, have no file marks and there is no damage whatsoever to the fingerboard. If this finish is intentional and original I will obviously preserve as is. I’m interested in your input on this oddity Steve.
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| EEB says:
3/5/2026 1:34:28 PM
banjohangout.org/photo/318255
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| EEB says:
3/6/2026 8:11:27 AM
The neck wood is very dry and that may be why the metal flush frets have raised slightly. I’m humidifying the neck wood. Hopefully that may gradually resolve the issue.
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| EEB says:
3/9/2026 5:20:03 PM
Isolating and humidifying the neck for just 4 days has had a noticeable effect. Reversing the wood shrinkage so that the metal frets are now virtually all flush with the fingerboard again. I’ve also made a bridge and put strings on this afternoon. I’ll post photos in the morning.
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