Just wondering what a realistic price is for one of these. There is one in classifieds for over 300 USD. That seems an awful lot for something so small?
Don't seem to be many around I guess .....
Any body bought one recently? Would you mind sharing what you paid? Message privately if you prefer!
Thanks in advance.....
Andy
I’ve seen them sell for $350-$550 depending on condition. The punched or unpunched 4 string versions go for $125-$200.
I had the original presto tailpiece of my prewar Gibson tb3, since the banjo was going to be converted to five string before I bought it the tailpiece had been modified to 5 string with an extra hole, I didn’t mind about it but once a bluegrass player saw my banjo and offered me a lot of money for the tailpiece, really I didn’t expect it could be so expensive! I don’t remember exactly it was many years ago… so I sold the tailpiece to this guy and both a period original kershner tailpiece that I paid the half of the money I got for the presto: my banjo is still completely original since Gibson used also kershner and the one I bought is exactly of the same years….
Andy one went on UK ebay a month or so ago for £120 at auction. That listing was also open to international bidders.
The seller actually had it as part of a slingerland banjo they put up for auction unaware it had an original 5 string presto. I maybe foolishly made them aware of this and the parted out the listing.
There is also a Maybell banjo at Hobgoblin who probably are also unaware it has a 5 string presto.
quote:
Originally posted by banjo1930I’ve seen them sell for $350-$550 depending on condition. The punched or unpunched 4 string versions go for $125-$200.
Ok, that's useful info. Hard to believe, but if it's going to complete a banjo you just spent 15,000 USD on, I guess it makes sense.
Thanks for the reply!
quote:
Originally posted by BawheidAndy one went on UK ebay a month or so ago for £120 at auction. That listing was also open to international bidders.
I wonder if they're cheaper here cos fewer people recognise them?
They seem to have been standard on Maybell five string banjos I think. I've seen that one at Hobgoblin, it seemed a bit of an optimistic price for the banjo, maybe they have factored in the tailpiece value?
Thanks for the answer,
Andy
quote:
Originally posted by banjopaoloI had the original presto tailpiece of my prewar Gibson tb3, since the banjo was going to be converted to five string before I bought it the tailpiece had been modified to 5 string with an extra hole, I didn’t mind about it but once a bluegrass player saw my banjo and offered me a lot of money for the tailpiece, really I didn’t expect it could be so expensive! I don’t remember exactly it was many years ago… so I sold the tailpiece to this guy and both a period original kershner tailpiece that I paid the half of the money I got for the presto: my banjo is still completely original since Gibson used also kershner and the one I bought is exactly of the same years….
Anything with a Gibson association has appeal I guess, a pre-war Gibson association has a bit of magic it seems.
Thanks Paolo!
Yes, that is a very fair price.
And yes, once in a blue moon, you will also find them on cheap tenor banjos from the 1920-1930’s. Along with sometimes, really good tuning pegs, or even more rare, a nice tortoise shell pick guard… 20-30 years ago, used to be a somewhat fairly common occurrence, now times, pretty rare, but as you witnessed, it does happen.
quote:
Originally posted by Alvin ConderYes, that is a very fair price.
And yes, once in a blue moon, you will also find them on cheap tenor banjos from the 1920-1930’s. Along with sometimes, really good tuning pegs, or even more rare, a nice tortoise shell pick guard… 20-30 years ago, used to be a somewhat fairly common occurrence, now times, pretty rare, but as you witnessed, it does happen.
Ok, thanks all.
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