This banjo has a spun over rim and a tone ring that consists of a tube elevated from the rim on numerous short posts. The dowel is stamped George Washburn Improved, the model # is 1730, and the serial # is 9290. My research indicates the date of construction is likely 1913 – 1923, probably 1920-23. The banjo has friction pegs that work satisfactorily with nylon strings, but would need to be replaced to convert to steel string. It is currently strung with Nylgut Minstrels. The frailing scoop starts after the 12th fret. There is an original star inlay on the peghead, and a star inlay at the 5th fret in the new fretboard.
I bought this banjo in Jan 2012 ago from Mark Ralston/ Yellowstone banjos. Mark converts old tenors into five strings using the “banjos with wings” method. He pulls the fretboard, installs two narrow wooden “wings” along the side of the neck to widen the neck to 5-string dimensions, installs a new fretboard that is the combined width of the original neck and the two “wings” (which lie under the fretboard), and adds a fifth string peg and nut. The process is described here: yellowstone-jewelry.com/Banjos...gs_p1.htm. The banjo plays comfortably and the wings are not uncomfortable or a distraction.
The result is an easy-playing banjo with the scale length of the original tenor, which is about 20 inches. Nylgut Minstrels (which are intended for low tunings on a full-scale banjo) tune well to conventional G tuning at this scale length. I am primarily a mandolin player and find the short scale more comfortable. It’s also handy as a travel banjo or if you have physical difficulties (I broke my wrist a few years ago and played this through my convalescence when I could not handle the string tension on mandolin).
The banjo has a Yellowstone head, which is a manufactured material that gives a skin-like tone with more volume and none of the weather sensitivity of skin. You can find descriptions and favorable reviews of the material by searching the hangout. The nut and tailpiece were made by Mark. I believe the tailpiece would need to be changed if you switched to steel strings.
Selling because I now play steel string almost exclusively – I made a similar conversion to a steel-string Vega Little Wonder and play that.
Will ship in a wooden rectangular case I made for it – no fancy carpentry, but functional.
I paid $400 for this, with no case. Selling for $325. Additional photos available. Buyer pays actual shipping. 48 hour return, buyer pays shipping each way if return.
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