This is a hybrid or "frankenbanjo". Old pot married to a new 5 string neck!
You can hear this banjo being played by me by clicking on my music and then tab down to the tune "Soldier's Joy". The banjo sounds good and plays easy. Nice warm old time sound.
The 10 3/4 pot came from an old Wilson Bros/ Chicago Illinois tenor banjo circa 1920's / 1930's. It has a heavy grooved nickel plated brass tension hoop that allow the head to sit directly on top of the outer nickel plated (non-magnetic) metal alloy, possibly brass or zinc. This serves as an integral tone ring. 20 original hooks and 19 nuts. There is one odd vintage nut. No shoes as the hooks run through the outer metal and inner wooden band. The tailpiece is original and looks like an old Waverly with a snap cover. It has an original skin head that is in very good shape. Original dowel stick and neck attachment hardware.
The mahogany neck is new and Saga made. I made some modifications. I replaced the plastic position dots with MOP to the rosewood fingerboard, added a Purpleheart wood overlay to the peghead and a walnut overlay to the heel. The four original peghead tuners are vintage Grover geared 2:1 ratio screw tab tuners with original ivoroid buttons. They work very well and the banjo tunes easy and stays that way. The 5th string tuner is a new geared type and also has a vintage ivoroid button to match the other four. The neck is straight. The string action is 3 mm above the 12th fret. It has a 1/2" bridge and medium gauge metal strings. It notes true up and down the neck with no buzzes. The banjo weighs in at 5 lb.
Shipping, handling and insurance will be $30.00. The banjo comes with a used Goldtone gig bag.
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