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Hunting
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Made by George P. Matthews, an English banjo-maker who began making banjos around 1880.
Stamped 136 above dowel @ heel, the number "1" is stamped upside-down. Maker's mark is stamped on top of dowel (i.e., next to head), see photo w/ mirror.
Rolled-over tone ring. Metal cladding on pot is in very good shape.
This is a very plain banjo... simple peghead shape, no peghead inlay, no fingerboard inlays. A beginner might want to put tape dots on the side of the fingerboard to mark the fret positions. I thought about putting MOP fret-marker dots in the 5th string side of the neck (like some of the English banjo makers did) but decided to leave the banjo in near-original condition.
Photo shows the "Elite" tailpiece that I put on to string the banjo. I'll be replacing this with one of my period replica brass tailpieces, so the "Elite" tailpiece doesn't come with this banjo.
Celluloid violin pegs, Nylgut strings, Fyberskin head. The 5th string peg is at the 6th fret.
I didn't put my brand or number on this banjo. I wrote "#015" in soft lead pencil on the side of the dowel, can easily be removed.
DIMENSIONS:
Head dia. = 10 in. 12 hooks.
Scale length = 24 1/2 in.
String span @ nut=1 in
String span @ heel = 1 3/4 in.
Bridge = 1/2 in. tall
SETUP:
Action @ heel = 3/16.
FLAWS:
I can't tell if the shims between the dowel yoke and the pot are original. They are metal, appear to be aluminum. I don't think that aluminum was used much on banjos of this vintage.
Hooks and shoes appear to be original, nuts are vintage but mixed.
Pegs were slipping badly when I got it. I roughed the peg holes and treated w/ powdered resin and peg dope. Pegs now hold well, but may take a little attention over the first year or so of playing.
Normal scuffing due to age.
ON THE PLUS SIDE:
This is a clean, well-built banjo, fun to play. Smallish pot gives a nice tone with the Fyberskin head.
SOUND CLIP
Questions ? send me an e-mail: mailto: Mark Ralston