Hi,
I'm just about to start a restoration of this banjo and wanted to see if anyone could help ID the actual maker?
It has a badge on the heel that says "Morris Brothers, makers of the Otto Banjo London" but I can't find any reference to them or The Otto Banjo anywhere and the closest banjo I can find pictures of is a Wilmshurst (the multi laminate neck is similar)? The only other clues are that the tailpiece is stamped with "The Grip C&Y Patent" and the headstock has a shell veneer that is engraved with a monogram but I can't make out what the letters are except maybe C at the end (Cammeyer?).
It has a nicely engraved tension hoop and pot overlay but the fret markers are rather plain by comparison so I was wondering if maybe it was re necked at some point as well?
Anyway it looks like it'll be a lovely instrument when it's done but it does need a lot of work so any tips and advice on how best to restore it would be most welcome. I've done a few restorations before but nothing of this quality.
Thanks in advance for any help. Cheers
I know where you are very likely to be able to get identical tuning pegs and hooks/nuts, to replace those that are missing. If you message me, I'll give you the contact details.
I think W. Temlett would certainly be top in the running as the maker. The tailpiece is by Coldwell and Young.
Might be best to post this in Collectors Corner.
quote:
Originally posted by Stephen John PriorI think W. Temlett would certainly be top in the running as the maker. The tailpiece is by Coldwell and Young.
Hi, Temlett's a good call and yeah, i realised there was actually a collectors forum after I posted it on this one! I'll repost it on there as well I think.
Good to know about the tailpiece though. Any idea how it's supposed to work? The loop end will fit over the capstan but those slots in the capstan make me wonder if there's something else going on (or maybe they're just for ball end strings)?!!
quote:
Originally posted by ALCOI know where you are very likely to be able to get identical tuning pegs and hooks/nuts, to replace those that are missing. If you message me, I'll give you the contact details.
Ah, I have some period friction tuners that I may use instead but it would be good to know. I'll message you anon (I'm new to the site so don't know how to DM yet?!). Cheers
quote:
Originally posted by PRINCETENORquote:
Originally posted by Stephen John PriorI think W. Temlett would certainly be top in the running as the maker. The tailpiece is by Coldwell and Young.
Hi, Temlett's a good call and yeah, i realised there was actually a collectors forum after I posted it on this one! I'll repost it on there as well I think.
Good to know about the tailpiece though. Any idea how it's supposed to work? The loop end will fit over the capstan but those slots in the capstan make me wonder if there's something else going on (or maybe they're just for ball end strings)?!!
Your banjo would have originally be made for gut strings although most use nylon now. Best not to use steel strings. The Coldwell & Young is a type of no knot tailpiece. The end of the string is placed in the slot with the tail just showing enough to wrap the string around the capstan to lock it. I'll see if I can find a photograph.
quote:
Originally posted by Stephen John Priorquote:
Originally posted by PRINCETENORquote:
Originally posted by Stephen John PriorI think W. Temlett would certainly be top in the running as the maker. The tailpiece is by Coldwell and Young.
Hi, Temlett's a good call and yeah, i realised there was actually a collectors forum after I posted it on this one! I'll repost it on there as well I think.
Good to know about the tailpiece though. Any idea how it's supposed to work? The loop end will fit over the capstan but those slots in the capstan make me wonder if there's something else going on (or maybe they're just for ball end strings)?!!
Your banjo would have originally be made for gut strings although most use nylon now. Best not to use steel strings. The Coldwell & Young is a type of no knot tailpiece. The end of the string is placed in the slot with the tail just showing enough to wrap the string around the capstan to lock it. I'll see if I can find a photograph.
Yes, I just found the Mugwumps website and it mentions no knot tailpieces. I'm going to restring it with nylon strings when it's ready so good to know. Cheers
quote:
Originally posted by PRINCETENORquote:
Originally posted by Stephen John Priorquote:
Originally posted by PRINCETENORquote:
Originally posted by Stephen John PriorI think W. Temlett would certainly be top in the running as the maker. The tailpiece is by Coldwell and Young.
Hi, Temlett's a good call and yeah, i realised there was actually a collectors forum after I posted it on this one! I'll repost it on there as well I think.
Good to know about the tailpiece though. Any idea how it's supposed to work? The loop end will fit over the capstan but those slots in the capstan make me wonder if there's something else going on (or maybe they're just for ball end strings)?!!
Your banjo would have originally be made for gut strings although most use nylon now. Best not to use steel strings. The Coldwell & Young is a type of no knot tailpiece. The end of the string is placed in the slot with the tail just showing enough to wrap the string around the capstan to lock it. I'll see if I can find a photograph.
Yes, I just found the Mugwumps website and it mentions no knot tailpieces. I'm going to restring it with nylon strings when it's ready so good to know. Cheers
Here you go.
quote:
Originally posted by Stephen John Priorquote:
Originally posted by PRINCETENORquote:
Originally posted by Stephen John PriorI think W. Temlett would certainly be top in the running as the maker. The tailpiece is by Coldwell and Young.
Hi, Temlett's a good call and yeah, i realised there was actually a collectors forum after I posted it on this one! I'll repost it on there as well I think.
Good to know about the tailpiece though. Any idea how it's supposed to work? The loop end will fit over the capstan but those slots in the capstan make me wonder if there's something else going on (or maybe they're just for ball end strings)?!!
Your banjo would have originally be made for gut strings although most use nylon now. Best not to use steel strings. The Coldwell & Young is a type of no knot tailpiece. The end of the string is placed in the slot with the tail just showing enough to wrap the string around the capstan to lock it. I'll see if I can find a photograph.
I tried posting on the collectors corner page as well but it won't let me, maybe because I'm a brand new member? Hopefully people will see my query though?!
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