Hello everyone.
I've asked Mr. Google in several ways about Mr.Keith's banjo, but I get everything but the answer I'm looking for. So I'll ask the BHO instead
What was the banjo I see in the pics; the top tension with the cloud inlays?? Presumably someone must have written about it somewhere?? Just curious. And is it lost in a museum somewhere, or is it being played?
That banjo was Bill’s Rich and Taylor signature model. I believe his family still has it.
It was a Great Lakes banjo— here's some info. I'm sure you'll get more.
Bill Keith had at least three different top tension banjos. He had a Gibson top tension,
then a Great Lakes and then a Rich and Taylor. I think the one with the cloud inlay was
the Rich and Taylor, like Gabe Hirshfeld says above.
The cloud banjo was the R&T. He had it at a workshop I went to at Elderly.
He related that after he changed the head , it didn't sound the same as before like he wanted, so he put a Huber tone ring in it.
Complete mastery of the instrument. Absolutely an amazing evening!
The R&T banjo with the cloud inlay was something I designed after talking with him.
Hi all, Does anyone know how many Great Lakes Top Tension Banjos were made?
quote:
Originally posted by Stringbean45Hi all, Does anyone know how many Great Lakes Top Tension Banjos were made?
According to the Great Lakes group on here. 12 TT's were made. Maybe only 11 or so left now. This is from a discussion from 8 years ago or so.
It looks like it was in the discussion you started about yours.
Edited by - mud400 on 10/02/2023 04:41:56
Funny, all this time I have thought Keith had a Great Lakes with the clouds.
There's a picture I saw somewhere in the last year of Bill's original Great Lakes (my personal most coveted of his banjos). It genuinely looked like he had soaked the whole pot in sea water....
I believe he sold the Great Lakes to a pal in Woodstock, but next time I'm pestering his son Martin, I'll ask.
I do think the family still has his Rich & Taylor(s)
What a player and lover of banjo.
Is it the Great Lakes on the cover of Something Borrowed,Something Bluegrass?
I have that album somewhere,here.
quote:
Originally posted by steve davisIs it the Great Lakes on the cover of Something Borrowed,Something Bluegrass?
I have that album somewhere,here.
Yes.
I found my copy of the album and checked.
Tangential to the Original Post, but there's another bluegrass banjo (not a TT) with cloud inlays. The Asian Epiphone MB 500, gold plated with nice cloud inlays. I reviewed it here many a year ago when I thought it pretty dang good banjo for $900 new.
Edited by - The Old Timer on 10/04/2023 13:43:57
Also a picture on the cover of "Bill Keith Banjo," by Tony Trischka and Bill Keith, the Oak Publications book put out in 1978.
Well I was trading messages with Bill's son Martin who is a very talented luthier and took over Beacon Banjo Co.
Martin builds and services the famed Keith banjo tuners and also happens to be a fantastic musician (mainly bassist) in his own right.
Anyhoo, Martin said the family still has the Huber pot Rich and Taylor Top Tension 'Bill Keith Elite' model as well as the famed Great Lakes top tension featured on the cover of Something Auld. Martin mentioned that some great players have been unable to make the Great Lakes sound good - apparently that banjo only responds to some!
Edited by - Pigeontown Banjo Co on 10/05/2023 19:10:32
quote:
Originally posted by grichThe R&T banjo with the cloud inlay was something I designed after talking with him.
I just saw this inlay (and banjo) for the first time in the classifieds this week. It's the most beautiful banjo design I've ever seen.
Rather than appearing baroque it invokes a baroque emotional response (in me at least)
I'm gob smacked
