YJ047 p Buckbee paddle head

No maker's marks, probably built by Buckbee. Frayed decal tag on dowel says "R. S. Gutman". Good mechanical shape, scuffing and wear typical for a vintage banjo.

I don't recognize the wood of the neck. Fingerboard is "ebonized" (i.e., stained or dyed) and fading back to the color of the natural wood. No rutting in fingerboard, very slight fret wear.

Nylgut Minstrel strings, Yellowstone banjo head. Violin-type pegs.

Neck has slight "v" cross-section. Pot secures to rim with a flat wedge through the dowel and with 2 screws.

DIMENSIONS:

Head dia. = 11 in., should have 38 hooks (missing 2).

Scale length = 25 1/8 in.

String span @ nut = 1 1/8 in

String span @ heel = 1 3/4 in.

Bridge = ~ 5/8 in. tall.

SETUP:

* action @ heel = 1/4 in.

FLAWS:

Mising two shoes and hooks @ tailpiece end of pot.

Uses violin-type pegs ....not really a flaw, but takes some getting used to if you've never used them. These are less precise than geared tuners, and take more attention than geared tuners. The banjo stays in tune.

Normal scuffing due to age. Overall the finish is in good condition.

ON THE PLUS SIDE:

Nice tone, good playability. A plain-looking, good-playing vintage banjo. I like the simple, "paddle" pegheads.

BEFORE:

The pot was pretty badly dished (i.e., one side pulled up, as oppposed to being out-of-round..... see the side view photos). I steamed & worked the pot and was able to get it back to within about 1/4" of true. I bet the steel strings and a few decades in someone's hot attic did the damage. Now well-cared-for in a good home ! !