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Hunting
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This one appears to be a relatively old Buckbee, based on the slightly keeled neck, pegged dowel tensioner, and metal patina. The hooks are also short (like older Buckbees), but straight (not dog-legged) and the banjo has hex nuts. My guess..... mid 1880's.
The fingerboard and peghead were ruined, so I took out the frets, put on a rosewood fingerboard veneer and similar veneer on the peghead. I fitted new violin pegs. If someone wanted to put frets back on this banjo, it would be easy to do so, since the fret slots are still visible from the side if you look closely.
Strung with Nylgut Minstrel strings.
DIMENSIONS:
Head dia. = 10 3/4"
Scale length: now set up @ 24 1/4"
String span @ nut = 1"
String span @ heel = 1 1/2".
Bridge = 1/2"
SETUP:
* action @ heel = 1/4".
FLAWS:
Uses violin pegs ...not really a flaw, but takes some getting used to if you've never used them. These are a less precise than geared tuners, and take more attention than geared tuners. The banjo stays in tune.
Normal scuffing due to age. Metal cladding on pot, hooks & nuts are corroded to the point of actually having a nice grey-green patina.
Overall the finish is in good, restored condition. Original finish was worn off and the wood was discolored and excessively dry. I cleaned off the dirt with fine steel wool and stabilized the wood with a few thin, rubbed-in coats of matte tung oil. I like how the finish turned out on this one.
Missing 5 hooks and nuts. I didn't try to replace these, because the hooks & nuts on the banjo are patinated like the pot cladding, and I didn't have any salvaged hooks that are similar in appearance.
ON THE PLUS SIDE:
Good restored finish condition.
