Help: Lyons and Healy banjo

Subject: Lyons and Healy banjo
From: Sourdough
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 03:23 AM

I found what appears to be a nice looking but very simple second hand five string banjo. I am interested in buying this instrument but have little idea how to evaluate it. I would like to use it to learn how to frail. The neck seems straight, the tone ring feels substantial and it seems that the lining of the ring is wood and it is tightly attached to the ring itself. There is no resonator and there are no holes in the head although it looks as though it has been well played.

THe only inlay is mother of pearn dots to indicate the frets. There are two tiny nicks in the fretboard but they are far from the strings and the wood near there does not seem to be loose.

As you might have guessed, the banjo was made by Lyons and Healy, at least according to the sales tag it was but I can't see any maker's mark.

The asking price is $295. Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Help: Lyons and Healy banjo
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 08:51 AM

If its a Lyon and Healy it should be marked someplace. Either in the dowel post or inside the pot if not on the headstock. You didn't mention tuners or a case. Are they friction type or geared planetary. Planetary tuners were put on better instruments. Is the skin real skin or a modern mylar? Is it tight or scuffed up?

In any case it describes as a good deal at $295.00 if it is clean and the skin is tight and not cracked. Good quality student prince banjos are hens teeth at best. This one sound like an excellent choice to frail on.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Lyons and Healy banjo
From: RangerSteve
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 09:12 AM

If there are no L&H markings, what you may have is a L&H pot with a replacement neck made by someone else.

Subject: RE: Help: Lyons and Healy banjo
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 10:18 AM

Sounds like a good price for a moderately good banjo, and one far superior to any new "student" model.

Subject: RE: Help: Lyons and Healy banjo
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 11:51 AM

Good point Steve, that in no way makes it a less valuable banjo to learn on. Some of the best banjos I have played are Frankenbanjos.

Sourdough, if I were you I'd get a frailer to try it out for you. Get a hands on opinion from someone else, It will give you aq chance to hear the banjo the way an audience will as well.

Don