I recently picked this up off Facebook marketplace, the seller said it was her father in laws, didn’t know much about it other than it was built by a luthier in the 60s. I thought it looked interesting and initially wanted it because I thought it was a longneck, as it has the three extra frets above the fifth string, but after taking it home realized it was only the standard 22 frets.
I was also keen on the tone ring (and the pot in general). I couldn’t find any information on it until after I bought it, and now know it’s a Stromberg with a cup-o-phone ring.
I’m wondering a few things:
Does this have any distinct traits of any certain luthiers? It seems like this was a very specific banjo someone wanted built (rare pot, unusual neck). Would be very neat to know any potential history. The father in laws name doesn’t match with the S inscribed on it.
What should my open tuning be? I’m guessing G? Will the shorter fifth string mean I tune it up a third?
What should I do for care? I was going to replace the head with a clear head to show off the tone ring and put nyglut strings on it.
Anyway if anyone has any thoughts I’d love to hear them!
Edited by - danjo393 on 04/10/2025 17:28:03
If you didn’t know, Stromberg made no original 5-strings, per Vinnie Mondello, the Stromberg king. Check out https://www.4stringbanjos.com/about-us
AND: it IS a longneck (!): the three extra frets are at the front end, not the rear. (The fifth string tuner is at the 8th fret not the 5th, which is where they typically land on standard 5-strings.)
Bill beat me to it; I was going to suggest contacting Vinnie Mondello. He knows more about Stromberg banjos than anyone else I know and is a very nice person to talk to.
I’ve reached out to Vinnie, will hopefully here back soon!
How many are seeing 25 frets on this? Not I — counting only 22.
Lots of unanswered questions here.
quote:
Originally posted by mikehalloranHow many are seeing 25 frets on this? Not I — counting only 22.
Lots of unanswered questions here.
Yeah that's one of mysteries. The specs of the build make me wonder who commissioned it. Considering it was put together during the folk revival, may have been someone in the scene. I wonder if the S was carved in as a tribute to Stromberg or Seeger.
Close up of the S mark, only mark on it.
Looks to me like a dollar sign.
quote:
Originally posted by danjo393I thought it was a longneck, as it has the three extra frets above the fifth string, but after taking it home realized it was only the standard 22 frets.
What's the scale length? That's what defines long vs. standard, not the number of frets.
Unless that neck is VERY skinny, it sure looks long to me.
Dan has a point. If the scale length is about 26" to 27", then it's a regular length neck, not a long neck. The neck has 22 frets, not 25 like a long neck would have.
If you want to make it into a nice player, I suggest having a better neck made for it. Stromberg was a top-level instrument. It seems a shame to have such a mediocre neck on it.
Newest Posts
'Good Monday Morning' 17 min
'Identifying a used banjo' 49 min
'The Old Spinning Wheel' 2 hrs
'The Old Spinning Wheel' 2 hrs
'Sloop John B' 2 hrs
