Hi I just bought a Dobson. I think it is H.C. It has a serial number of 22674. Are there any discussions here that cover serial numbers?
Also, what about heel shape? I have one that has a common heel shape - flat with a pointed end. That makes me think "later" build rather than earlier.
12 Comments |
 | Newl Post says:
3/23/2017 3:06:59 PM
After surfing through the posts here I learned a bit. I now assume I have a Silver Bell.
The fretboard at the base of the neck has been reworked. There should have been a metal plate there. That area has been filled in and fretted with frets that do not match the rest of the neck.
And the serial number I have is higher than any of the serial numbers I remember from any of the posts. So, again, it seems a later build. How are the dates of H.C. Dobson banjos determined?
Thanks,
Lincoln
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 | W L D says:
3/23/2017 6:37:02 PM
Hello Lincoln, I have never seen a list of serial numbers for any of the Dobson Bros. banjos.
Usually they are dated by the pat. number, style of the banjo, and which brother made the banjo (or had it made and sold it). In fact I was going to attempt to make a list and then just gave up because the numbers were so out of wack and most that I seen didn't have any numbers at all.
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 | Bill Anderson says:
3/24/2017 7:17:08 AM
I think at this point we do not understand the serial numbers. Also, many do not have serial numbers, any have marking such as 18.Some serial numbers repeat.
I think you have to approximate a date based on the elements of the instrument (as you mentioned). Congratulations Lincoln, these are wonderful sounding banjos. Bill
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| Newl Post says:
3/24/2017 12:56:46 PM
Thanks WLD and Bill.
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| Newl Post says:
3/25/2017 3:09:46 PM
Attempting to upload photos. Not quite working right at the moment.
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| Newl Post says:
3/25/2017 3:33:36 PM
banjohangout.org/photo/223673
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 | jonredmond says:
3/25/2017 5:25:04 PM
Does it have the Dobson tone ring with an HC Dobson patent stamp on it? Is there a patent stamp on the dowel stick?
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| Newl Post says:
3/25/2017 7:03:10 PM
There is a partial stamp on the tone ring. It reads the month and day but the rest of the stamp is too lightly stamped to read. The only clearly readable parts of the stamp are, PA and NOV. 8.
The dowel has no patent stamp. But it does have the number 22647 stamped up close to the neck.
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| Newl Post says:
3/25/2017 7:05:17 PM
There is a partial stamp on the tone ring. It reads the month and day but the rest of the stamp is too lightly stamped to read. The only clearly readable parts of the stamp are, PA and NOV. 8.
The dowel has no patent stamp. But it does have the number 22647 stamped up close to the neck.
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| jonredmond says:
3/27/2017 6:03:39 AM
Like you say, the tone ring Is definitely Dobson. His patent for the tone ring is Nov 8 1881. As for the neck it would be hard to say. Most HC Dobsons have several patent stamps on the dowel and the insides of the pots usually do as well. Many also have the metal neck cover with a patent stamp. H.C.'s banjos are loosely dated by the features and this one may be missing a lot of them. Your serial number may not be related to it's original manufacturer.
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| Newl Post says:
3/27/2017 7:59:56 PM
Thanks Jon. This banjo seems pretty likely to have been scavenged for parts. Lots of home made repairs, too.
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| Newl Post says:
4/9/2017 8:24:56 AM
Just uploaded several photos of repairs and other work done. Waiting for them to show up in the photo album. Will add them to comments when they appear.
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