I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help on evaluating the old Proffitt banjo. I really know nothing about the general value of instruments, and I'm often stunned by the prices I see placed on some of them. In this case, the value would be determined by the desire of the purchaser to have an original Proffitt instrument, even though the original "possom belly" head is gone, replaced with a goatskin head by Clifford Glenn. Glenn, by the way, makes wonderful instruments at very reasonable prices. I used to sell both banjos and dulcimers for him through Folk-Legacy's catalog. Anyone wanting to try their hand at a fretless banjo should write to him.

I'll ask around and see if I can come up with a ballpark estimate on the Proffitt instrument. If I learn anything, I'll refresh this thread.

Sandy