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Hunting
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$420 plus $20 S&H
The original finish on this banjo is in pretty nice shape, and the pot is exceptionally clean.
Dowel is branded "George Washburn Improved", "1730", and "0626" (the 2 is upside-down).
Tailpiece is a brass replica of a vintage J. E. Dallas tailpiece. Shoes, hooks and nuts appear to be original except for one.
This banjo uses a very heavy round tone ring suspended on heavy spikes. As shown in one of the pictures, the tone ring, tension hoop and head are held about 1/4 inch above the top of the pot..... this lets a little sound through and is an interesting construction.
CONVERSION:
Converted from tenor to 5-string by adding walnut molding (wings) to both sides of neck, 1/4" fretless walnut fingerboard on top of existing fingerboard, 1/4 in deep brass-floored frailing scoop just below octave.
I fretted the new fingerboard to place the bridge near the center of the head. MOP star @ 5th fret.
This is a short-scale banjo, since it uses the original tenor neck. Original peghead tuners, Stewart MacDonald 5th string tuner.
DIMENSIONS:
Head dia. = 11 in., 22 hooks.
Scale length 19 1/2 in.
String span @ nut=11/8 in
String span @ heel = 1 3/4 in.
Bridge = slightly under 3/4 in. tall
SETUP:
* action @ scoop = 7/16 in.
* action @ octave = 3/16 in.
FLAWS:
One non-original shoe, nut & hook.
Uses original friction tuners. These are a little bit finnicky, and take more attention than geared tuners, especially because I use heavy gage strings. The banjo stays in tune.
Normal scuffing due to age. Overall the reddish finish is pretty good, a little worn @ the left hand position. Peghead is a little bit discolored as shown.
If you like playing high up the neck, this banjo isn't for you, since it's only fretted up to the 12th fret (octave).
ON THE PLUS SIDE:
Good, deep sound, rich tone, nice playability, overall in very nice shape. I've played this one a lot and I really like the sound and volume.
CLIPS
mp3 Grumbling Old Man, Growling Old Woman
YouTube
Grumbling Old Man, Growling Old Woman
