Hi folks.
I’m lucky enough to have a paramount F and a ball-bearing trap door tb-5 (ok, a funky van eps short scale, a 1925 cello banjo 3, and too many littler banjos (ukes, mbs) to mention) - but you know how it goes! What’s the next most-different collectible tenor to add to my quiver? A vegavox? A silver bell?
Thanks for your opinions!
Michael
Kalamazoo. Keep it as a TB, save it from being dismantled, cut up, and converted to a 5-string.
Stromberg Cuppophone
I’ve had 3, currently down to 1.
Among the best there has ever been or ever will be.
Epiphone, Weymann, Leedy, Vega
The obvious answer is a Groton made B&D Ne Plus Ultra No6, No7, No8, or No9.
They’re the finest banjos ever made. The top of the line of the ‘Epitome’ of the banjo.
Check these out. You should get some good ideas here:
http://www.banjoworld.de/brands.htm
quote:
Originally posted by NePlusUltraNo6The obvious answer is a Groton made B&D Ne Plus Ultra No6, No7, No8, or No9.
They’re the finest banjos ever made. The top of the line of the ‘Epitome’ of the banjo.
Thanks - I've got my eye out for one, but I may need to work up to it ! I'm assuming the lesser silver bells would sound similar, without the bling - is that correct? And different enough from the paramount to be interesting?
quote:
Originally posted by hbick2Check these out. You should get some good ideas here:
http://www.banjoworld.de/brands.htm
Amazing resource - I'll take one of each! 
My question was directed to all you hangout members steeped with experience in higher end jazz- age tenors who might help me focus my lense on a few makers. With finite resources I'd like to have my next addition be satisfying AND different from the two I already have. That's why I thought l: silver bell, vegavox, and now maybe Stromberg with a cuppaphone tone ring. Perhaps the right iucci?
quote:
Originally posted by mjbeequote:
Originally posted by NePlusUltraNo6The obvious answer is a Groton made B&D Ne Plus Ultra No6, No7, No8, or No9.
They’re the finest banjos ever made. The top of the line of the ‘Epitome’ of the banjo.Thanks - I've got my eye out for one, but I may need to work up to it ! I'm assuming the lesser silver bells would sound similar, without the bling - is that correct? And different enough from the paramount to be interesting?
They actually don't sound similar, at all. The ebony neck and body on the NPU's put them in a totally different class than all other banjos, besides the Epiphone Deluxes that have ebony necks.
quote:
Originally posted by NePlusUltraNo6quote:
Originally posted by mjbeequote:
Originally posted by NePlusUltraNo6The obvious answer is a Groton made B&D Ne Plus Ultra No6, No7, No8, or No9.
They’re the finest banjos ever made. The top of the line of the ‘Epitome’ of the banjo.Thanks - I've got my eye out for one, but I may need to work up to it ! I'm assuming the lesser silver bells would sound similar, without the bling - is that correct? And different enough from the paramount to be interesting?
They actually don't sound similar, at all. The ebony neck and body on the NPU's put them in a totally different class than all other banjos, besides the Epiphone Deluxes that have ebony necks.
That's good information- maybe it's worth holding out for the NPU. Thanks
For "extremely rare", go with a Squared Eel.
No two exactly alike, each one hand made.
And if you INSIST on high end, I have no qualms about charging you several thousand, instead of the usual $75 plus shipping. 
get what interests you, theres no right answers and banjos really arent a good investment long term, so if youre wondering what is good to collect for future value I wouldn't recommend investing in banjos. a high end bnd is probably what you should look for if you're into tenors though. best ever made.
Edited by - kyleb on 06/09/2023 05:23:36
Stelling?
Vegavox or B & D?
Why not both, if you're a serious collector?
That's a very difficult question! I repair and restore tenor banjos and I buy many of them every year. Nice job on the 2 you have, maybe add a few pictures so we can see them.
There were so many tenor banjos built in the 1920's it's hard to determine which one to add next. It's easy to look at the top models from the large builders of the time, but most of those already have a following and command top dollar. There are some lesser-known models that rival the others in workmanship and beauty that you can get for a good price. Only you can determine why you buy the banjo you do. Is it because of its value, the sound, the design, the rarity, and I could go on. There is a limited market for collectible tenor banjos, buy what you want for you and enjoy it.
I just started a thread a pretty nice Vega Artist that I just saw on FB Marketplace. As I said before, it's not my banjo, I know nothing about it except what's in the ad.
banjohangout.org/topic/390957
Personally I think it's quite overpriced considering the tenor banjo market but I'm not an expert...
Edited by - jwold on 06/09/2023 22:48:50
quote:
Originally posted by DSmokeThat's a very difficult question! I repair and restore tenor banjos and I buy many of them every year. Nice job on the 2 you have, maybe add a few pictures so we can see them.
There were so many tenor banjos built in the 1920's it's hard to determine which one to add next. It's easy to look at the top models from the large builders of the time, but most of those already have a following and command top dollar. There are some lesser-known models that rival the others in workmanship and beauty that you can get for a good price. Only you can determine why you buy the banjo you do. Is it because of its value, the sound, the design, the rarity, and I could go on. There is a limited market for collectible tenor banjos, buy what you want for you and enjoy it.
Good advice. Always hard to know what you're buying if it's from a distance. Btw, rather than posting photos, here are my two tenors as photographed and described by Jake Wildwood who does all my setups.
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2022/06/1924-gibson-tb-5-trap-door-tenor-banjo.html
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2023/04/1920s-paramount-lange-style-f-resonator.html
A Gibson 5 and a Paramount F establish a fairly high bar.
A gold/engraved B&D makes sense. Also, one of the several gold/engraved Epiphones. If you could find a really nice Vega Artist or Vega Vox that's gold/engraved, you'd have a very nice set.
Here's a photo of a guy from decades ago in Berlin NH who bought and sold banjos. He had a postcard made of his "prizes". I visited his combination motorcycle/chain saw/banjo shop once and he gave me the postcard. Lou Cotello.
Edited by - The Old Timer on 06/11/2023 09:58:28
One of the greatest talents to ever play a banjo was Perry Bechtel. He played plectrum banjo.
There is a photo of him standing on stage, with the caption BD 6, I think. It’s a little bit difficult to make out, but it’s there.
I’ve seen it before, on YouTube, now I can’t find it, or I would post a link.
Do any of you know if he owned one?
quote:
Originally posted by mjbeequote:
Originally posted by DSmokeThat's a very difficult question! I repair and restore tenor banjos and I buy many of them every year. Nice job on the 2 you have, maybe add a few pictures so we can see them.
There were so many tenor banjos built in the 1920's it's hard to determine which one to add next. It's easy to look at the top models from the large builders of the time, but most of those already have a following and command top dollar. There are some lesser-known models that rival the others in workmanship and beauty that you can get for a good price. Only you can determine why you buy the banjo you do. Is it because of its value, the sound, the design, the rarity, and I could go on. There is a limited market for collectible tenor banjos, buy what you want for you and enjoy it.Good advice. Always hard to know what you're buying if it's from a distance. Btw, rather than posting photos, here are my two tenors as photographed and described by Jake Wildwood who does all my setups.
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2022/06/1924-gibson-tb-5-trap-door-tenor-banjo.html
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2023/04/1920s-paramount-lange-style-f-resonator.html
Michael, remember me? I think I sold you the D'Angelico.
quote:
Originally posted by Leslie ROne of the greatest talents to ever play a banjo was Perry Bechtel. He played plectrum banjo.
There is a photo of him standing on stage, with the caption BD 6, I think. It’s a little bit difficult to make out, but it’s there.
I’ve seen it before, on YouTube, now I can’t find it, or I would post a link.
Do any of you know if he owned one?
Perry was my mentor's mentor. I was fortunate enough to learn from books that were handwritten by Mr Bechtel, and I treasure them. Being brought up 'playing like Perry' is the magnus opus for plectrum banjoists.
To answer your question, Perry was well known for playing a No6 and a No8, both Ebony neck Ne Plus Ultras. His favorite was the No6. The only other banjo Perry played was a B&D No4, and he refereed to No4's as being 'The Machine'.
