There's another nice looking S. S. Stewart Special Thorouhbred No. 2 on e-Bay that is worth a serious look: click here for website

The seller has an excellent and forthright description of this banjo. He does point out that the neck is slightly twisted and that the top nut is chipped on one side and should be replaced, and that the neck is not designed for steel strings. But it's a good example of this type of banjo and might be purchased for less than a $1000 in this weak market. The heel is nicely carved and the peghead has some excellent mother-of-pearl inlay.

There is now active bidding at the $200 level but the reserve hasn't been reached. The reserve is probably about $800.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble