"My Little 'Waldo' "

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Minstrel Banjo

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For those interested in Minstrel Banjo.

132 Members, Created 11/14/2011 -

Administrators: banjosnapper (owner)

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From frettedstrings on 11/24/2011 11:35:02 AM

I recently bought what I believe to be a late 19th Century Gut String Open Back Banjo. The name 'Waldo' is stamped on the dowel stick, along with the number 1604. It has a 10 Inch pot metal pot (might be nickel) and a wooden neck (maybe Cherry). Its plays really nice and seems to be in very good condition. I'd like to know more about this little banjo. I notice that most Minstrel banjos are fretless, is this true?

3 Comments
	C Nyal de Kaye says: 11/24/2011 9:42:26 PM Welcome to the Forum FS. I can't really answer your questions but I would certainly like that banjo.
	C Nyal de Kaye says: 11/24/2011 9:46:10 PM Here's something I found about Waldo banjos. It came from billsbanjos.com/geneology.htm J.B. Schall (1878-1907)was a Chicago banjo maker who made many Schall-marked banjos and banjos marked with the names of noted performers and teachers, such as Denzel. Schall also made many unmarked banjos and sold parts to other makers. Some banjos marked Waldo, a performer whose banjos have been reported to have been made by the Burroughs Company located in Saginaw, MI, appear to have been made by Schall, or at least using Schall parts. I have seen other Waldo banjos that looked to be made by Buckbee. So it looks like it has to be at least 100 years old based on that info.
	frettedstrings says: 11/25/2011 6:08:03 AM C Nyl, Thanks for the info. I have to read up more about WALDO (the performer). Someone told me that the cammed-no-knot-tailpiece is very old but that it is not a Schull. Maybe its a Buckbee.
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