How much should I expect to spend on banjo?

Subject: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 12:27 AM

I've been trying to research some prices for a 1920's "The Gibson" brand 17 (18) fret tenor banjo...all original, wooden neck (very straight), resonator, not been played much, minor normal use sratches on back. Has modern hard case.

I have been searching various banjo Dealers on the net but haven't come across any comparable "The Gibson"'s...not even close...

Anyone (esp in the US) have an/any idea as to what a banjo like this would be priced?

You can email me at [e-mail] or via the mudcat personal messages...

Thanks bunches!

Mary

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 12:50 AM

If you get one serious response in three on this topic, it'll be a miracle. You've asked a good question and I'll try to help, but the thread name lends itself to less than serious thoughts! I'll be checking in later.

catspaw

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 01:40 AM

Thanks catspaw! I was stumped for a thread name...that's sometimes the toughest part.

Mary

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Songbob
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 01:42 AM

Well, that era Gibsons are pretty collectable, even the plain models (the Mastertones were the better ones, but the simple-tonering and no-tonering models are vintage, too). You haven't said what model this is. If it has a tonering (that metal rim UNDER the head, that the stretcher-band is pulled down onto by the brackets) then it's more valuable than if not. If that tonering is round and has 1/4" holes in it, it's worth its weight in gold, 'cause that's the Mastertone tone ring. If there's fancy inlay on the fingerboard, it's desirable.

I don't know today's market, but a guess would be:

Mastertone model (TB-3?) with nice inlay -- from under but near $1000 to $3000 or even higher. Simpler models (TB-1 or -2?) with plain dots -- around $300 to $1000, maybe a touch more.

I'd check and see if any have sold on eBay auction recently. The prices on eBay are sometimes high, since it's an auction and people get "caught up" in it, but it's also a good "leveler," unlike vintage instrument dealers, where you have no comparison shopping possible.

If I can find out more, I'll let you know.

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 01:47 AM

Thanks for the info Bob.

There are no fancy inlays, just "dots"...I haven't seen the banjo in person...will see about a model name.

Mary

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Songbob
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 01:50 AM

Well, was I ever high in my estimates! Just looked over the last sold banjos on eBay, and a 1920s TB-3 only brough $850! I AM surprised. And think maybe the eBay prices are a little under what collectors would pay. Who knows?

Try sending a note to Mike Holmes at mugwumps.com (look for his website) and ask him.

I couldn't open any eBay items themselves, unfortunately, so I don't know the conditions of those being sold. You might also try vintage guitar magazine's web page (again, I don't have the URL -- I changed PCs recently, and the old one has all my "favorites." Owing to the non-running of that machine (the reason I replaced it) I haven't gotten to my data yet.

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Bert
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 08:59 AM

OK, OK, I'll say it....

You don't actually BUY those things do you????

Bert.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From:
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 05:23 AM

You might also look in on Elderly, http://www.elderly.com/welcome.htm. They have a "vintage" instrument section, and you might, just by chance, find one there. If so it would be a good indication of the going price.

Murray

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 10:28 AM

So I'll say it . . . Then there's the cost of having some of your front teeth removed, the cost of a lobotomy, therapy, counselling, not to mention all those peripheral devices you will need, like banjo belts, pins for your hat, moon bridges, special picks, spouse deflectors, and a possum grill.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 01:31 PM

Not to mention repairs to the instrument of the damage done when using it to smash accordions. --seed

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 03:04 PM

"Oh Mary this Mudcat's a wonderful site,
For people make fun of you day and by night.
They don't plant potatoes, nor barley nor hay,
But they'll dump on you sure, if a banjo you'll play.

At least when you ask them the cost of a 'jo
Be it Gibson, or Vega, or old Epiphone.
There's Harmonys, Deerings and Stellings galore,
And if you played for me, I'd shout "More, Mary, More!

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 03:48 PM

What size shoes do you wear Rick?

catspaw

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 06:02 PM

Thank you Rick...(can't help but wonder what Mick might say if he sees that response....LOL :-) )

Mary

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Claude Jeter
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 07:16 PM

$4,126.77, plus tax, title, and insurance.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Barbara
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 07:45 PM

I believe that when writin' a wish you expressed
To learn the cost of a banjo that had you impressed,
And would you believe that when answering the call
Bert don't think you should pay no money at all

Well, I've seen them myself and I could not, in truth
Say if they were made for tunes or just abuse,
If you're startin' that fashion now, Mary Machree,
Oh please, PLEASE don't practice that banjo round ME.

Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 10:01 PM

You're a true talent Barb. First the possum and now this. Simply amazing!

catspaw

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 12:52 AM

Thanks for all the funnin' and useful info as well...I am going to postpone getting a tenor banjo--for now....

Mary

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: The Shambles
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 03:55 AM

Nice one Barbara.

My wife would pay quite a lot for someone to take mine away.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Banjer
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 07:10 AM

A thought for your wife, Shambles...My wife thinks it wouldn't be so bad if I could make some money with it! I tell her I will, soon as people hear me play they will gladly pay for me to stop!...Tell your wife you could make more in the long run by keeping the instrument.

But I don't care what they say, I'll play my banjo anyway!

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 10:39 AM

Well Banj, you might try the old Marx brothers routine which basically goes---$10.00/hour for playing, $15.00 for not playing, $25.00 for rehearsing, and for not rehearsing--you can't afford it!

BTW---Mailed the pix for Bill D. to you on Friday.

catspaw

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Barbara
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 11:55 AM

Thenk yew, thenk yew, tho I gotta point out, the inimitable Mr. Fielding started it, and I just did verse two. There's at least two more verses to the Mountains of Mourne, guys, just waiting for someone's heavy hand...
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: gargoyle
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 12:19 PM

Personally, I have been very impressed with "The Mandolin Brothers" on Statton Island in New York. A couple years ago I sent them some photos and 20 dollars, they returned an excellent letter of appraisal.

This is a link to one of their several sections on banjos. Open Back Banjos

Just truncate the htm section to go to their homepage.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 01:36 PM

"You remember ol' Catspaw, How could you not, dear?
"Blows thru a possum, and drinks Belgian beer.
And regarding the banjo he knows not from shite,
But plunks on his tipple by day and by night.

Recently, He's asked the size of my shoe,
As to his meaning, I haven't a clue.
Karl Marx and his brothers, perhaps understand,
Dear Mary, we have here a sick-minded man!

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Banjer
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 02:22 PM

Perhaps the query as to shoe size is in reference as to whether or not you have a good "understanding" of the subject at hand...'Spaw, looking forward to pics, will send them right on to BillD...

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Barbara
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 02:39 PM

And I wondered if it had to do with a verse I knew from childhood, said when ever someone made spontaneous poetry, to wit: "You're a poet and your feet show it -- they're Longfellows".

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: gargoyle
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:38 PM

Here is a sampling of prices and links to their photos:

1924 Gibson 425.oo

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: gargoyle
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:40 PM

Here is a sampling of prices and links to their photos:

1924 Gibson 425.oo

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From:
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:42 PM

Here is a sampling of prices and links to their photos:

1924 Gibson 425.oo

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: gargoyle
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:46 PM

Sorry, can't seem to create multiple HREF's. Here's the list non-linked.

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/80U-1402.htm 1924 Gibson 425.oo

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/80U-1382.htm 1925 Gibson 950.00

http://www.gregboyd.com/banjos.html 1923 Gibson 1,050.00 (simple)

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/70U-1841.htm 1928 Gibson 2,200.oo

http://www.mandoweb.com/83-1256.htm 1925 Gibson Converted 5 4,235.oo

http://www.gregboyd.com/banjos.html 1929 Gibson 5,550.oo

http://www.mandoweb.com/83-1817.htm 1927 Gibson 5,670.oo

http://www.mandoweb.com/83-2661.jpg 1927 Gibson 12,888.oo

http://www.mandoweb.com/13-5149.htm late 1930's Gibson 15,465.oo

The easiest approach from here would be to "highlight" the http: use "Control C" to Cut, and then "Control V" to insert it into the borwser location.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: gargoyle
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:51 PM

An excellent source to identify banjos by style and year manuafacured: PreWar Gibson Banjo Identification

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: gargoyle
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:54 PM

Here is a sampling of prices and links to their photos:

1924 Gibson 425.oo

1925 Gibson 950.00

1923 Gibson 1,050.00 (simple)

1928 Gibson 2,200.oo

1925 Gibson Converted 5 4,235.oo

1929 Gibson 5,550.oo

1927 Gibson 5,670.oo

1927 Gibson 12,888.oo

late 1930's Gibson 15,465.oo

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 05:22 PM

Thanks for all the info Gargoyle...I will see if I "missed" any of the links in my web searches.

I've found an Irish Tenor banjo web page with tons of links for vintage dealers, ie Elderly Instruments, Mandolin Brothers, Buffalo Brothers, etc...so I will continue to visit these sites to gain my info...

Mary

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 07:52 PM

Congrats Barb...you got it with Longfellow. (Here comes a bad one on all fronts)......I send a "serenade" to you!

catspaw

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 12:23 AM

Neil Diamond? How COULD you? I was enjoying this thread!

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Barbara
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 12:32 AM

Well, Rick, the "serenade" quote missed me. Do you suppose it takes a banjo player to recognize a Neil Diamond song?

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 01:05 AM

OOOOOH Barbara .......... What a stab! That was worse than the original Neil Diamond pun!

catspaw

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 01:12 AM

Barbara, I'm surprised. I thought Diamond's were a girl's best friends!

Catspaw, "That was no vegetable, that was a yam I said".

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 01:17 AM

Oh my god...............................

catspaw

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:43 PM

Mmmm...
Philistines..Philistines and ne'er a one near enough to slaughter..
A very well known quote that I have just made up.. though the sentiment remains. One can tell that we are not in the company of any devotee of Irish Diddly music if they are poo-pooing the use of the banjo (tenor especially). How can anyone not sucuumb to Davy Arthur or is it Arthur Davy's use of the one stringed elastic banjo on such classics as "When You Were Young" or "Sweet Sixteen"...
Though my "ignorant" friends I kid you not.. If you know anything about the so called Traditional Irish Music (I use the phrase very loosely as there is no such thing in reality) you would be aware that that the prime instrument is the tenor banjo for two very important reasons
The first being to give that wonderful "plunkety sound",
The second to use as a bludgeon and beat to death any box players in the near vicinity and then as Finnegan so rightly pointed out.. hopefully civil war would then engage, leaving us guitar players to get on with it.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:53 PM

Whoops I almost forgot..
The "Mountains of Mourne"..???? Come on get a life. If we are going to parody something, surely we can come up with something better than that purile crap.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 01:00 AM

Mick,

And what is wrong with the song Mountains of Mourne?....I happen to like the tune...

Suppose you'll be telling me next that all so called Traditional Irish music is really English in origin...

!!!!!!!!BIG SMIRK!!!!!!!!

Mary Kate

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: katmuse (inactive)
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 02:53 AM

Shame on you, Rick and Barbara, going from bad to verse.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 11:53 AM

Large Michael! Purile crap indeed. Like Bob Dylan, I just wrote my deathless prose, and a tune that was "blowin' in the wind" floated down and like a pack of zebra mussels latched onto them. Next time I'll use "Maggie's Farm", or perhaps something truly worthwhile and authentic by The Clancys, The Dubliners, or The Corries!

coded message: "t'will reach the paw shortly"

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Jon W.
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 12:02 PM

"Wrong fellow's hearing aid. Such a mistake I made."

Run with it.

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 04:01 PM

You're the one who better start runnin' John!

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 05:39 PM

Although I may have inadvertently started this, I refuse to resort to Neil Diamond puns...No sweet cheery lines from here.

catspaw

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Fadac
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 05:50 PM

Those Darn Accordions have a song called "Hippy with a banjo", It's comming out on there new CD.

Perhaps they will have begining banjo at the Lark of the Morning summer camp?

-Fadac

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: The Shambles
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 08:14 PM

A tenner?

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 09:00 PM

Okay I suppose it's time to stand up and be counted(though this might not be the "right medium" Mary).. You probably alone will know I say this without any vindictiveness as you are well aware of my love of "Irish Music".. BUT and a big one at that... if we are talking about the diddly stuff.. i.e. that apart from "Carol's" and what a strange name for a man.. YES.. it is all English or Scots in origin.. Jigs are definetly Scots.. Hornpipes came into being through the British Navy (Nothing to do with the Irish).. Reels are somewhat clouded as having an input from Scottish, English and Italian traditions.. as for instruments by which to play this music.. the only "pure" Irish one is the harp which no doubt the Welsh would contest most vehemently.
But we have today a very succinct "traditional" concept of what should or should not make up instrument wise a "Irish Ceili Band". And the tenor banjo along with the fiddle, and box is at the forefront.. it's all to do with long and short notes.. plus attack and sustain..
This is getting boring even for me...
Rick can I say this?... What the hell as Bob Dylan got to do with it?.. let alone the Clancy's etc.. we're talking about people who can really play "the music" and yes I included the Dubliners.. No one on this planet could dnce a reel to the rendition of the Mason's Apron.. (If you can please send me a video tape)..
This has got too long a thread...
Mick

Subject: RE: How much should I expect to spend on banjo?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 10:38 PM

Purile Crap! If Percy French is purile, then Bob Dylan should be called straight and plain exactly what he is.

A plagiarist! A thief of words and melody! Lacking in original thought and native ability. A mumbling posseur who, much like the blind squirrel who found the occasional nut, wrote at best a dozen good songs, usually with the help of someone elses melody. But on the other hand, he can't ride a motorcycle either.

Don