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Originally posted by wylh

I have just bought a John Alvey Turner with the fretboard falling off, and was wondering who the manufacturer was and when it was likely made? I have added some pictures below, and the original listing with more is here ebay.co.uk/itm/227573575097?ms...75dc962e6.

Thanks in advance!

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Could be W Temlett. Circa 1900. I've seen those odd tension nuts somewhere before. Tuners may be later additions. 

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Originally posted by Stephen John Prior

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Originally posted by wylh

I have just bought a John Alvey Turner with the fretboard falling off, and was wondering who the manufacturer was and when it was likely made? I have added some pictures below, and the original listing with more is here ebay.co.uk/itm/227573575097?ms...75dc962e6.

Thanks in advance!

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Could be W Temlett. Circa 1900. I've seen those odd tension nuts somewhere before. Tuners may be later additions. 

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Thanks Stephen, once I receive it I will compare it to my Temlett Ajax. The fact it has a zero fret made me think it would be much later than 1900 (I should have included that in my original post), but that is based on complete conjecture.

As Steve said, W. Temlett Snr springs to mind. Nice banjo with later addition pegs and arm rest. Curious contrast in condition, the pot appears to be in excellent shape, but the fingerboard has been in the wars. Inspection pending when it arrives…but in advance of that are you hoping to retrieve the original ebony board and inlay?

Given the extent of damage, a new ebony board, routing and re-using the original inlay and a refret with period thin fret wire may be more practical.

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Originally posted by wylh

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Originally posted by Stephen John Prior

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Originally posted by wylh

I have just bought a John Alvey Turner with the fretboard falling off, and was wondering who the manufacturer was and when it was likely made? I have added some pictures below, and the original listing with more is here ebay.co.uk/itm/227573575097?ms...75dc962e6.

Thanks in advance!

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Could be W Temlett. Circa 1900. I've seen those odd tension nuts somewhere before. Tuners may be later additions. 

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Thanks Stephen, once I receive it I will compare it to my Temlett Ajax. The fact it has a zero fret made me think it would be much later than 1900 (I should have included that in my original post), but that is based on complete conjecture.

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Bingo. My apologies. I'm finding my memory is not what it was. So I've just had a check back and it was made by W E Temlett son of W Temlett.  W E Temlett also made banjos for Fred Langham which used the exact same pattern hooks, nuts, tailpieces and also the zero fret. The tuners are the originals. Likely dates to early 1900-1915. 

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Originally posted by Stephen John Prior

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Originally posted by wylh

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Originally posted by Stephen John Prior

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Originally posted by wylh

I have just bought a John Alvey Turner with the fretboard falling off, and was wondering who the manufacturer was and when it was likely made? I have added some pictures below, and the original listing with more is here ebay.co.uk/itm/227573575097?ms...75dc962e6.

Thanks in advance!

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Could be W Temlett. Circa 1900. I've seen those odd tension nuts somewhere before. Tuners may be later additions. 

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Thanks Stephen, once I receive it I will compare it to my Temlett Ajax. The fact it has a zero fret made me think it would be much later than 1900 (I should have included that in my original post), but that is based on complete conjecture.

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Bingo. My apologies. I'm finding my memory is not what it was. So I've just had a check back and it was made by W E Temlett son of W Temlett.  W E Temlett also made banjos for Fred Langham which used the exact same pattern hooks, nuts, tailpieces and also the zero fret. The tuners are the originals. Likely dates to early 1900-1915. 

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Steve, it's interesting that those are the original tuners. I assumed friction pegs and possibly a date a little earlier c.1896. When actually this one is from a little later Temlett era.

easyliveauction.com/catalogue/...nd-colle/

Attached link to a Langham stamped banjo. W E Temlett parted from W Temlett around 1900 he had links to Langham with their roller nut patent.

Attached photo of one of their roller nuts. I've been meaning to try and restore this one.

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Originally posted by Stephen John Prior

easyliveauction.com/catalogue/...nd-colle/

Attached link to a Langham stamped banjo. W E Temlett parted from W Temlett around 1900 he had links to Langham with their roller nut patent.

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Incredible thank you, that is identical apart from maybe the inlay! I had no idea the roller nut concept has been around for such a long time too.

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Originally posted by wylh

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Originally posted by Stephen John Prior

easyliveauction.com/catalogue/...nd-colle/

Attached link to a Langham stamped banjo. W E Temlett parted from W Temlett around 1900 he had links to Langham with their roller nut patent.

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Incredible thank you, that is identical apart from maybe the inlay! I had no idea the roller nut concept has been around for such a long time too.

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Your welcome. Please post some photos of the banjo when restored. 

I am in the process (long term project) of restoring A Turner. Mine was literally falling apart. Over time I have replaced the fretboard and salvaged the inlays. Unfortunately the pearl was engraved and I tried to find a way around levelling the fretboard without losing the engraving. Alas, it was something I had to sacrifice. It looks quite good for a first attempt.

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Originally posted by banjonz

I am in the process (long term project) of restoring A Turner. Mine was literally falling apart. Over time I have replaced the fretboard and salvaged the inlays. Unfortunately the pearl was engraved and I tried to find a way around levelling the fretboard without losing the engraving. Alas, it was something I had to sacrifice. It looks quite good for a first attempt.

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John Alvey Turner tended to spec fine quality instruments from the best and most innovative makers of the day. Please post some photos of your JAT project Wayne. The mention of engraved pearl has certainly caught my interest. Attached photos of a JAT banjo I bought from the Richard Evans collection after he passed. This one has been badly treated. It was originally a smooth arm banjo. A previous owner had also thought it a fine idea to punch notes into the fingerboard using a metal letter punch ! I've only seen one other similar model, a seven string owned by Keith Wilson. 

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Originally posted by Stephen John Alvey Turner tended to spec fine quality instruments from the best and most innovative makers of the day. Please post some photos of your JAT project Wayne. The mention of engraved pearl has certainly caught my interest. Attached photos of a JAT banjo I bought from the Richard Evans collection after he passed. This one has been badly treated. It was originally a smooth arm banjo. A previous owner had also thought it a fine idea to punch notes into the fingerboard using a metal letter punch ! I've only seen one other similar model, a seven string owned by Keith Wilson. 

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That's beautiful inlay and, from an aesthetic point of view, really a pity it had frets added. I guess ornate decoration was so common to Victorians and Edwardians they were less reticent to mess with it?

Do you have a sense of who made this one for JAT? The banjo-making talent in their immediate neighbourhood meant they were spoilt for choice.

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Originally posted by EEB

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Originally posted by Stephen John Alvey Turner tended to spec fine quality instruments from the best and most innovative makers of the day. Please post some photos of your JAT project Wayne. The mention of engraved pearl has certainly caught my interest. Attached photos of a JAT banjo I bought from the Richard Evans collection after he passed. This one has been badly treated. It was originally a smooth arm banjo. A previous owner had also thought it a fine idea to punch notes into the fingerboard using a metal letter punch ! I've only seen one other similar model, a seven string owned by Keith Wilson. 

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That's beautiful inlay and, from an aesthetic point of view, really a pity it had frets added. I guess ornate decoration was so common to Victorians and Edwardians they were less reticent to mess with it?

Do you have a sense of who made this one for JAT? The banjo-making talent in their immediate neighbourhood meant they were spoilt for choice.

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I'm not 100% certain Mike. I had initially thought Sydney Young but I don't think the execution good enough. Could well be Richard Spencer as I've come across a couple his with Rosewood necks. Also the peghead shape is similar to one used by him. 

I have just got the banjo, and had a brief look at it. The neck brace is stamped Langham on the inside. The fret board and heel cap are made of two layers of ebonised wood which are not only crumbling but delaminating from each other. The headstock plate seems to be holding up fine however.