elderly.com/collections/recent...anjo-1967
Did anyone see this? It has sold now. I almost pulled the trigger last night while it was still available.
Someone is happy today...
Edited by - HERMES on 03/06/2021 14:24:01
That must have got put on and gone real quick. I was on Elderlys website early Friday and did not notice it.
If I did, I would be having another one of “those” conversations with my Wife just about now....
...still kicking myself in the A— decades later for not buying one out of Kyles hands for $300.00 back when...
Can someone enlighten me to the appeal of these banjos? Is it mainly because it was made by Kyle creed? They look very much like a million other open back, except the thicker rim, in construction and very plain in design. Do they sound that much better to warrant the price or is it driven by rarity and maker?
The Corian and Naugahyde breather models sounds best according to Kyle. He is kind of hard to communicate with but the legend persists. An early Mike Ramsey is about the same banjo without the essense of the legend. I've owned both. They sounded and played very similarly.
Edited by - R Buck on 03/06/2021 15:19:25
I’m going to get shot for saying this, but most of the value is in the maker and the rarity. I have played a number of Kyles banjos that, well...maybe not be the best instruments. Some others...unbelievable in sound and playability. I guess just like any other instrument.
There are builders out there right now who make excellent copies of Kyles instruments and I have to say, many of these builders make instruments where the fit and finish is far superior. Kind of akin to folk like Huber and others who make copies of pre-WWII Gibsons that far surpass the originals.
That being said, if the right one came along, I’d jump on it in a second. Then deal,with my Marriage...
I can comment on this one in a bit more detail since 1) I bought it from the family of the original owner (though I was not the consigner to Elderly) and 2) I have owned another of Kyle's banjos and a few of Kevin Fore and others replicas of the same.
I think folks are generally correct that Kyle's banjos generate these sums because of historical/collector interest. For a Round Peak player, there isn't a much more desirable name than Kyle - particularly since he made Fred Cockerham's main banjo and others owned by folks like Bruce Molsky.
My experience with Kyle's banjos only includes the two I owned, which I only sold because they were worth so much on the open market. I owned a 1977 12" wooden turned wooden rim which was one of the most responsive and best playing banjos I've ever owned. It exceeded the sound of some incredibly desirable and very expensive contemporary makers whose fit and finish might be 'better' but whose banjos don't sound nearly as good.
On the subject of this 11", it has notable characteristics that are so Kyle: it has a fuming bronze co-rod (aka a repurposed piece of plumbing? hardware). I'm pretty sure the ring is a Faulkner. I personally love the peghead shape. This particular banjo was a bit more complicated from a playing standpoint because the neck was superskinny at the nut which I did not like. That said, the sound has haunted my dreams and I'm currently building a few replicas (including one with formica shell). I think thick rim with flathead ring makes a particularly interesting banjo for Round Peak playing with a nice round pop.
I think I made some videos when I still owned it and I'll try and dig them up if folks are interested.
Drop a few videos if you would.
Knowing the details of this instrument in regards to the construction, I would put it at an icon of his work, and given that, worth the funds.
