I scooped up this 'Troubadour' banjo this week. I'm quite certain it's a parts banjo, but I'm curious if anyone has any idea who built it. I was quite taken by the aesthetics, but it also seems very well-built and has some really nice parts. Gotoh Tuners, Fults 1934 tailpiece (dual-tone), 20 hole tone ring (unsure of manufacturer), burled resonator, and obviously great inlay work. I'm also unsure about the bridge, but it has height, weight, and angle markings under the feet, so it seems to be thoughtfully crafted.
Any chance someone knows anything more about it?
Edited by - Frazier4996 on 03/19/2026 21:32:14
Hi Alex
That's an interesting banjo, and very different in appearance from the usual 'Masterclone'. I can't help with naming the builder, but the bridge looks very much like one of Virgil Lawson's 'Bullfrog' bridges.
Can’t help you with who built it, I can say, it’s a nice looking instrument. Enjoy!
Troubadour inlays were used on higher end, mostly tenor banjos made by Slingerland
Yours looks like an exceptionally well made recent banjo that borrowed that design.
Whoever built it knew what they were doing. I agree with Harry about the bridge. It looks like one of Virgil Lawson's Bullfrog bridges.
Many years ago I believe I sold a "Ludwig Kingston" banjo that had that peghead inlay of a troubadour. Sold it here on BHO Classifieds. It was a lightweight variety of a top tension. It was in tough shape; useful mainly for parts.
Thanks for the info everyone! Funny enough, in researching the Bullfrog bridge, I stumbled across a BHO member with the headstock of this very banjo as their profile photo. Dug down and found a bunch of photos. Not sure if he's the builder or a previous owner, but definitely a good next step.
quote:
Originally posted by Frazier4996Thanks for the info everyone! Funny enough, in researching the Bullfrog bridge, I stumbled across a BHO member with the headstock of this very banjo as their profile photo. Dug down and found a bunch of photos. Not sure if he's the builder or a previous owner, but definitely a good next step.
Do let us know what you find. As others have noted, that is obviously a banjo that was put together by someone who knew what he or she was doing. Would be very pleased to know more about his provenance.
Is that an unusually thick rim?
quote:
Originally posted by Ira GitlinIs that an unusually thick rim?
Does rather look like it, no?
I think it's just the angle of my photo. I measured and it's a standard 3/4".
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