The Mystic, most likely was made by Lyon & Healy, c. 1899, in Chicago. Lyon & Healy sold many lines of banjos, and the "Mystic" line was in the middle quality-wise. This banjo sold for about $17 in 1897, and it is a fine playing banjo with a spunover rim, real ebony fingerboard and peghead veneer, a mahogany neck, and extremely nice, tasteful pearl inlays.
A nice player with the perfect sound for frailing, clawhammer, and other old-time styles, it appears unaltered with a hand written note on the back side of the head, September 1901
Moderate wear overall but well preserved for over 100 years old. An attractive old open back 5-string, in generally excellent condition is a treasure.
Features:(All dimensions are approximate inch measurements)
Overall length is 35 1/4.
Diameter of head: 11
Depth of rim, measured at side: 2 1/4.
Scale length is 25 1/2.
spunover metal banded wood ring with included tone ring.
24 original tension hooks and nuts
Ebony fingerboard, minimal wear on this and frets, 7 pearl inlays, plus
2 inlays on peg head.
↧