Geo P Matthew 5 string, saved from the tipshop

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

George P. Matthew research group

Join This Group

Photographs, serial numbers and production information for George P. Matthew, banjo maker c.1880-1920

34 Members, Created 9/30/2023 -

Administrators: Pomeroy (owner)

< Back to Home

From Islowey on 11/1/2026 1:26:49 PM

Photos link

Hi All

I picked a Geo P Matthew 5 string banjo from my local tip shop this weekend . I have done a bit of research on it and I'm being told it's at least 100 years old ??. I know nothing about banjos, I like to fix up old guitars but have never come across anything this old. It looks like it's all original, I know enough to not touch it untill I have some advise on it. I feel like it's picked me to help find it's forever home as I don't play banjo but for me the end game would be to get this to someone who will appreciate it and care for it as the elder instrument that it is. I'd like to know the age of it but don't want to remove the skin as there's a small split maybe 15mm and my modern hex heads will prob damage the vintage studs, do I need a brass key to do this? Also I know theres no truss rod in it should I detune it to ease the pressure while it lives with me. Photos should be linked at the top

3 Comments
	Stephen John Prior says: 11/2/2026 1:28:09 AM Looks a nice old Zither banjo. I think the head tension screws may have been replaced at some point. Most have slot/hex head machine screws. Zither banjos are strung with a mixture of wire/nylon/wound strings. This gives them a distinct sound. Wound 4th Nylon 3rd the rest steel. Clifford Essex sells sets. I believe the tailpiece is a later addition. Is the neck straight a twist free ? The banjo probably dates around 1900. Zither banjos don't command very high prices so hopefully you didn't pay much for it.
Islowey says: 11/2/2026 1:35:01 AM Hi Thanks for answering. Yes the neck is very straight, a tiny bit of upbow / relief looks like the v profile has done its job. If it's not worth much or of much importance then I may look to cleaning and restringing it and maybe learn on it. It dosent owe me much at all ?? less than a pint! Is there a way to repair the tiny split in the skin or will it need a new one?
	Stephen John Prior says: 11/2/2026 3:54:45 AM Nice, sounds like a bargain. You could try gluing a patch over the vellum that can work ok.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

	Matthew fretless banjo dowel Linked by Steven Watson 4 months ago
	Matthew fretless banjo heel Linked by Steven Watson 4 months ago
	Matthew fretless banjo Linked by Steven Watson 4 months ago
	G. Swain Buckley's Celebrated Minor Jig \| Steven Watson Linked by Steven Watson 4 months ago
	(untitled) Linked by Tuedelband 5 months ago
	(untitled) Linked by Tuedelband 5 months ago
	(untitled) Linked by Tuedelband 5 months ago
	(untitled) Linked by Tuedelband 5 months ago
	(untitled) Linked by Tuedelband 5 months ago
	Matthew banjo (inside) Linked by Steven Watson 6 months ago