Hello. New to the forums. Inherited this banjo from my grandmother many years ago when she passed. At the time it was unplayable and in very poor shape all around. I finally decided to have it restored for sentimental reasons and am now curious as to what it actually is. The only markings (to my eye) are the headstock logo and the inlays. Otherwise, I'm too novice to be able to identify specific features.
I know Bruno was a NYC reseller and it could have been made by any of a number of builders. The NY thing tracks as she was born in the Bronx around the turn of the century before moving to Virginia as a teen.
Not everything in the pics is original. Some of the brackets were missing/replaced and the dowel needed help. The original skin i kept. It has signatures from her high school friends at graduation. It was ripped and dry and unusable but will be treasured and displayed.
Anyway, anything I can do further help with the identification please let me know. I've taken as many photos as I can think relevant.
Cheers!
Wow!!
Can’t really give you any more info other than a Bruno tenor banjo from the 1920’s.
Wonderful you got it from your Grandmother. Nice to have Family instruments to pass on.
That original skin head is priceless! It’s like a time capsule into the lexicon of a teen/20-something from 100 years ago. Really neat-o!
The general consensus is that banjos resembling this one were private label products made by Rettberg and Lange or later just William Lange. This is never elaborated on using data or period documentation, merely just a 'hunch'.
Was R&L the maker of these? Could be.
Bruno did operate their own benches and workmen who made banjos. Kyle VanMeter has pointed out distinct tooling marks and fabrication methods on Bruno banjos that differ from known examples from the Buckbee factory (which was sold to R&L at a bankruptcy auction). It is possible that Bruno jobbed these in later years. A major example of this is the fabrication of rims. Buckbee used standard tinsmith beading tools to wire the edges and roll the metal to form the hoop where Bruno banjos show sighs of using a chasing hammer (neither were "spun" in any way). This applies to 1880s-1890s examples. This tenor is more likely 1920s or later.
The fact is that we only know that Bruno was a music jobber that either made/assembled banjos in house using shared part sources as other jobbers, or had private label banjos made for them. Anything beyond this is speculation.
Thanks both for the replies. It is an heirloom I treasure. She had an amazing life, full of adventure and experience and song and dance. The banjo has a bright, vibrant, resonant tone and it matches her personality well.
If you can think of any details or features that you feel might be worth noting and knowing, please do share.
Cheers!
quote:
Originally posted by Joel HooksThe general consensus is that banjos resembling this one were private label products made by Rettberg and Lange or later just William Lange. This is never elaborated on using data or period documentation, merely just a 'hunch'.
Was R&L the maker of these? Could be.
Bruno did operate their own benches and workmen who made banjos. Kyle VanMeter has pointed out distinct tooling marks and fabrication methods on Bruno banjos that differ from known examples from the Buckbee factory (which was sold to R&L at a bankruptcy auction). It is possible that Bruno jobbed these in later years. A major example of this is the fabrication of rims. Buckbee used standard tinsmith beading tools to wire the edges and roll the metal to form the hoop where Bruno banjos show sighs of using a chasing hammer (neither were "spun" in any way). This applies to 1880s-1890s examples. This tenor is more likely 1920s or later.
The fact is that we only know that Bruno was a music jobber that either made/assembled banjos in house using shared part sources as other jobbers, or had private label banjos made for them. Anything beyond this is speculation.
Bruno certainly sold r&l made products later, I have a orpheum madolin banjo with a c Bruno and sons badge in the rim.
I actually also inherited from her a C Bruno & Sons Mandolin "The Vernon" from 1920. It's got some beautiful engravings on the headstock and these interesting embedded tuners.
I have some Thomastik strings on her and the sound is amazing. It rings and almost chimes and has great dynamic range.
The mandolin was built by Stromberg-Voisinet.
The banjo doesn't look like a Lange product to me. I haven't made a study of old low grade tenors, so I can't say who did make it, but it has notable differences in construction from known Lange products.
Edited by - Andy FitzGibbon on 02/12/2025 05:02:18
quote:
Originally posted by Joel HooksThe general consensus is that banjos resembling this one were private label products made by Rettberg and Lange or later just William Lange. This is never elaborated on using data or period documentation, merely just a 'hunch'.
In my case, it's more than a hunch. It comes from 25 years of comparing the construction details of these unidentified instruments to known Lange/Buckbee products.
Andy FitzGibbon , actually, I need to correct myself regarding Bruno. I mixed up Benary-- got my jobbers twisted. Benary was using a hammer to make nickel rims.
You are correct, Bruno did have a long established relationship with Buckbee and later R&L.
quote:
Originally posted by OldFretsThe mandolin was built by Stromberg-Voisinet.
That matches my research and understanding, as well.
Both wonderful time capsules for me regardless of any actual value or worth.
