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Photographs, serial numbers and production information for George P. Matthew, banjo maker c.1880-1920
33 Members, Created 9/30/2023 - ![]()
Administrators: Pomeroy (owner)
From primaveranz on 6/1/2026 6:07:02 PM
Hi, I have a banjo with the stamp Geo. P Matthew and what appears to be the number 23696 (the first digit is obscured) on the underside of the rod. It has 18 frets, 11inch head, a V profile neck and the machine heads all appear to have been replaced. The stamp appears quite crude and the bridge has to be set very far back on the skin in order to match the position of the 12th fret, so I'm wondering if it is an original banjo or a reproduction. I like the neck length and it is pleasantly weighty for its size but I find it very difficult to play clawhammer on, so I'm also wondering what style of playing it would have been designed for and are there any tweaks I can make to improve playability. Many thanks in advance. Cheers, John.
2 Comments | |
Stephen John Prior says: | |
primaveranz says: | |
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Matthew banjo (inside) |
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George P Matthew banjo |
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