~1890 Unknown, possibly J French 5 string fretless banjo
c. 1890s Fretless 5-string open back banjo
Nice late 19th century fretless 5 string banjo with open back. There's no maker's mark on the banjo that I can find but it is well made and in good condition. It bears resemblance to banjos made by J. French, a Cleveland OH maker of the last quarter of the 19th century. The headstock shape and the metal fret board inlays are identical to some of the instruments that are attributed to French and featured on a site highlighting his instruments (jfrenchbanjos.com). This banjo may have been made by J French, but it is impossible to be certain. Some of the parts are replaced (tuners, the little wedge/screw thing that fits over the dowel stick and bears against the rim, the tail piece), The neck is inlaid with pearl dots and metal 6-point stars. The rim has 24 hooks/brackets and a natural skin head. The rim measures 11" across and the scale is 27 3/4". Finish on the rim appears to be original, the neck finish I can't say for sure. Initially my impression was that it is original but someone who knows banjos better than I do suggested that perhaps the neck has been refinished. The banjo is currently strung with metal strings and sounds very good but could probably be strung and played with nylon/gut strings successfully. The neck is very straight under tension and the action quite comfortable. If there's something you need to know that I've missed please ask questions. Comes with a nylon padded gig bag. VFS #15859 $1200
Kovacik Guitars and Fretted Instrument Repair
12:47 AM
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