I'm not "in the loop" ..... tears of joy??

This 'specialist' seller has the date of manufacture out by at least a decade. The banjo was made c.1882-1895. Not exactly a great advert for their business when that information is so easily available.

Are we to assume the OP’s upset is the price? If it is, I hope for his own wellbeing he doesn’t start looking at vintage banjos on eBay. Some of the crazy asking prices there might cause him a complete breakdown ;-)

If he’s looking for a fine vintage English fretless the good news that should dry his tears is that they can be acquired for less, particularly if he's prepared to learn how to do any necessary renovation. Basics would be replacing a damaged or missing skin head, and making a copy of a period bridge. A little more involved is repairing the splits that are often found in fingerboards that have dried out and replacing missing inlay. It's very satisfying to contribute to bringing these lovely banjos back to playable condition.

As well as the price, I think it may be the removal of the frets to create a 'scoop'. If that is an original design feature, it's not one I've ever seen before. Thoughts?

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Originally posted by ALCO

As well as the price, I think it may be the removal of the frets to create a 'scoop'. If that is an original design feature, it's not one I've ever seen before. Thoughts?

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I only gave the link a very quick look and missed the scoop. You're right. A butchered vintage fingerboard on a banjo never intended for clawhammer (implying there is further butchery). What a shame.

quote:

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Originally posted by EEB

quote:

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Originally posted by ALCO

As well as the price, I think it may be the removal of the frets to create a 'scoop'. If that is an original design feature, it's not one I've ever seen before. Thoughts?

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I only gave the link a very quick look and missed the scoop. You're right. A butchered vintage fingerboard on a banjo never intended for clawhammer (implying there is further butchery). What a shame.

 

 

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That's exactly what I mean.

They're antiques, and they should be preserved just as they are.

If you're going to make changes, do it right—

for example, build a new neck and preserve the old one, as has been done with many tenors.

Well, I don't want to criticize the dealer, but rather the craftsman.

After seeing that yesterday, I actually had to vent a little, which is why I posted this—thank you for your understanding.

This, from the sale dealer, is a beautifully crafted ruination of a very fine 7 string banjo.

reverb.com/uk/item/100787758-1...ing-banjo

Bravo!!

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Originally posted by ALCO

This, from the sale dealer, is a beautifully crafted ruination of a very fine 7 string banjo.

reverb.com/uk/item/100787758-1...ing-banjo

Bravo!!

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It gets worse. That is horrific. Every high quality beautifully made vintage English banjo through his hands is being ruined by this vandal.

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Originally posted by Tuedelband

quote:

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Originally posted by EEB

quote:

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Originally posted by ALCO

As well as the price, I think it may be the removal of the frets to create a 'scoop'. If that is an original design feature, it's not one I've ever seen before. Thoughts?

---

I only gave the link a very quick look and missed the scoop. You're right. A butchered vintage fingerboard on a banjo never intended for clawhammer (implying there is further butchery). What a shame.

 

 

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That's exactly what I mean.

They're antiques, and they should be preserved just as they are.

If you're going to make changes, do it right—

for example, build a new neck and preserve the old one, as has been done with many tenors.

Well, I don't want to criticize the dealer, but rather the craftsman.

 

After seeing that yesterday, I actually had to vent a little, which is why I posted this—thank you for your understanding.

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I had an email conversation with the seller yesterday. Firstly he was kind enough to reply to my email written in English. We had a civil exchange and it turns out he is a dealer and says he has no part in any alterations to the vintage instruments he advertises. Fair enough.

But some luthier gouged that fingerboard and butchered the neck angle. It doesn't look like DIY handiwork. The seller has a point that he isn't directly responsible; but indirectly his presentation of these messed-about vintage banjos does function to encourage the idea that this vandalism is saleable.

quote:

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Originally posted by EEB

I had an email conversation with the seller yesterday. Firstly he was kind enough to reply to my email written in English. We had a civil exchange and it turns out he is a dealer and says he has no part in any alterations to the vintage instruments he advertises. Fair enough.

But some luthier gouged that fingerboard and butchered the neck angle. It doesn't look like DIY handiwork. The seller has a point that he isn't directly responsible; but indirectly his presentation of these messed-about vintage banjos does function to encourage the idea that this vandalism is saleable.

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I'm not quite sure what to make of this dealer.

After all, he advertises it with the claim: “The original English presentation banjo, made around 1900, was restored, enhanced, and modified by the gifted German craftsman Peter Brandstätter from Nuremberg.” So at least he’s honest, even if he’s touting what I consider to be terrible modifications as something good. I’d rather not say what I think of this “gifted” craftsman.

Still, the dealer isn’t to blame—

even if he had placed the order, I, as a craftsman, wouldn’t have accepted it.

They look good to me..
N I do not mind..inovation..

Probably someone will have a lot of fun playing that banjo.

what would an untouched model like this go for ?

.... fwiw, in regards to things v-e-r-y lightly used I've been known to use the expression, "untouched by human hands."