Hi friends-- Brand new here and looking for help trying to ID an unusual banjo.
My dad found this for me 15 years ago at an instrument sale in Vermont back when played casually. I haven't really touched it in years, and frankly don't know that much about banjos. Would love any insight on maker, vintage, value, etc.!
Here's what I think I can tell you about this one. It's a long-neck Seeger style banjo with a closed back resonator that's sort of zither-esque. The resonator has a lovely domed shape on the back. There's an inlaid pearl star on the headstock. It's in great used condition and plays nicely.
I believe the instrument is handmade from a maker in Vermont (maybe made from parts of other banjos?) It comes with a beautiful handmade stand, as well.
Thanks!
Looks like someone took an antique English zither banjo pot assembly and fixed a new neck to it.
I think the body is a German Democratic Republic Musima make.
quote:
Originally posted by Joel HooksI think the body is a German Democratic Republic Musima make.
To my eye, it looks more British made.
Looks like somebody did a pretty good job of mating a Seeger neck with an old British zither pot.
Edited by - AndrewD on 06/19/2026 03:50:13
Yeah, it look like the GDR banjos had less lugs/brackets. So, some kind of zither banjo body.
I largely agree with Joel although it has more brackets that the Musima zither banjo pictures I've seen. The tailpiece looks very Musima like. Perhaps Weltton although I guess Musima might have made stuff for them.
Looks like Bert Jansch from the British folk-rock band (The) Pentangle used a long-neck zither-banjo:
quote:
Originally posted by EmielLooks like Bert Jansch from the British folk-rock band (The) Pentangle used a long-neck zither-banjo:
I'm pretty sure that is a standard zither banjo with 22 frets, tube at the 5th.
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooksquote:
Originally posted by EmielLooks like Bert Jansch from the British folk-rock band (The) Pentangle used a long-neck zither-banjo:
I'm pretty sure that is a standard zither banjo with 22 frets, tube at the 5th.
Alright, I thought the neck looked very long…
I can't see the photo that Emiel and Joel are talking about. I agree that the OP's banjo clearly looks like a zither pot with a well hand-crafted neck attached - ?maybe by the same person that made that lovely (but maybe not too stable) stand.
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