Houghton banjo mandolin

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 11 - 07:19 AM

hey, i am asking the same question, [e-mail]
i think my 8 string could be 1930/40, its in great condition.
cheers kevin.

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: Tangledwood
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 12:30 AM

hey, i am asking the same question

Hey, are you expecting different answers?

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,glenjoe
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 07:25 AM

i was recently given just such an instrument by my daughter, did you manage to find out anything elase about it?

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,DEACONELIAS
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 11:14 AM

I have a G. Houghton& Sons, Hockley, Birmingham, The sticker with the companys name is on the inside of the Banjo. A number 2 writen in pencil. It coud be the 2nd instrument that they made. In the early days it was common to hand number each instrument. I am in the process of putting new stings and looking for syitable tuning knobs.
If you have any further info please let me know.
Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Gary P-J
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 01:57 AM

I have a small Mandolin Banjo. The rim is only six and a half inches, edge to edge with five and a half inch diameter skin. This sits in a two and a quarter inch wooden bowl that has a one inch raised center button at the back. The headstock is plain, slightly tapered. I can't find any name, lettering or numbers. Though it is an inexpensively built instrument,it is in fair condition. It is a bit difficult to tune due to cheap gearing. The round, untapered knobs on the tuners are a marbly brown colour. I suspect it might be a GH&S I haven't heard of one like described.

Does any one know of this one.

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,guest - Jim Younger
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 01:23 PM

Good luck with your finds - especially anyone willing to get to grips with the mandolin-banjo (or banjo-mandolin, if you like). The mb is a great instrument, and you can pick up a decent playable instrument for a sensible price, even today. Many mandolinists of yesteryear played the mb for extra volume and projection. Some folk think it rowdy - but you can play a sweet air on the mb - if you know how to play, that is.
Good luck again! I love my Vega tubaphone (1912-ish).

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Adrian
Date: 16 Mar 11 - 01:18 PM

Hey, my great-aunt gave me what I believe to be a mandolin-banjo, and after a little research I think it may be a GH&S one, but all the information I can find from looking at it is that it has "The Gem" debossed in the headstock as well as the number "223" below it. Any help would be appreciated. =)

Subject: mandolin banjos
From: GUEST,william
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 08:07 AM

hi every boady hope you can help me here iam looking for some info on the above instrument is a 8 string mandolin banjo and a 8 string banjolin one and the same instrument and can you play irish traditional music on both or which would you recomend is the best for this kind of music the banjo mandoline or the banjoline as iam looking for one and dont know which one of the two would be the best to buy for my need thanks in advance

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Alan Winfield mansfield UK
Date: 29 May 11 - 05:35 PM

Hi,
I have a "New Reliance" 8 string Banjomandolin With an 8" pot. On the banjo itself is only a plate with the name "Sunray" and a patt No 237784.
Has anyone seen one with "Sunray" as its name?
Alan.

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,matty
Date: 11 Dec 11 - 11:10 PM

i have found a 8 string model 14s any info would be good has the gold embleme model number above the model num and has the full name and place on the back of where the tuners are

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,andre newcastle kzn south africa
Date: 09 Mar 12 - 02:42 PM

i have been given a gh& s mandolin banjo, 5 string made in birmingham. it has wooden tuning heads. although in a battered state i think it could be restored to its former glory. where can i get pics to compare my one with other models. would be very grateful if anyone could help! my e-mail: andre.vrooyen @hotmail.com. thanks guys!

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Walter Mac
Date: 30 Jun 12 - 01:07 PM

I have just bought a "Half Size" 5 string banjo - it has the Gold Lion and British Made on the machine head but nothing else - could this be a G Houghton and Son instrument? All I can find is banjo mandolins and banjo ukes made by this company - I would appreciate any info Thanks

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 30 Jun 12 - 02:50 PM

GUEST,Walter Mac - Chances are that if the logo matches other instruments it is from the same "brand".
I can't recall what has been said previously on this old thread (although I have read it on numerous previous occasions), but some instrument "brands" were essentially labelled up by the company that sold them, but may have been manufactured by other makers. If you look HERE - scroll half way down the page, It would seem that Houghton were one of the companies which made banjos for others to put a "label" on.

How does the banjo sound?
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 12 - 04:37 AM

My name is Paul; I have been given a banjo mandolin of this type and have it all sorted except for original bridge which has been filed too deep in one of the strings. Can i get an original bridge or a good alternate one. Thank you

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 25 Aug 12 - 01:03 PM

GUEST - It is unlikely you would find an original bridge without it already being with another banjo. Best bet is probably to take the bridge to a decent music shop (one that sells banjos) and compare it with any bridges they may sell. If you tell us what part of which country you live, people may suggest suitable shops.
If you have to cut slots for strings on a blank bridge, mark the locations with a pencil, start the cuts with a sharp knife, then use a small, fine, triangular file to finish the slots.
GtD.
p.s. GUEST - Mudcat requests guests use a name of some sort so we all know we are talking to the same person.
Quack!

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Astrid
Date: 13 Sep 12 - 12:30 AM

Hi all. I have a G.H. & S 8 string mandolin banjo marked with 'The Eclipse' and the numbers 329. Haven't been able to find much information on it but thought it might be one of the ones that was copied from another company? Any information would be great.

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Lauren
Date: 18 Aug 13 - 11:36 PM

I have a GH&S Melody-Uke with original strings and case. Does anyone know where I could look for the history of this instrument and narrow down the age of it? Is it worth very much? I'm trying to decide whether to restore it to play it or whether to preserve it as it is. Any help is appreciated!

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Terry Price
Date: 29 Dec 13 - 02:50 AM

I have also acquired an 8 string banjo with the word GEM stamped on it, any info would be most welcome, thanks

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,GUEST. nana.
Date: 23 Jul 15 - 11:37 PM

I have a banjo, G.H.&S. Model 16s. It has the Gold lion head with British made under the head. at the back of the banjo is an inscription with the name G.HOUGHTON&SONS, BIRMINGHAM.
I will be glade to know more about this. Thanks

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 18 - 03:08 PM

i have a banjo called reliance 4 strings british made can anybody tell me how mutch its worth

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Johnboy
Date: 18 Aug 20 - 08:06 AM

Hi Mudcat. So wonderful reading all the comments about George Houghton &Son banjo related instruments.. G H & S was founded by George Houghton in 1888 in Birmingham. He established his Relience Works in Heaton Street Birmingham.
George Houghton was my wife's great grandfather, her grandfather John Harrison inherited the business from George and then her father Edgar George Houghton inherited the business from John Harrison Houghton. Between 1888 and 1962 they made literally hundreds of banjo related instruments and instrument cases. In fact my wife, as a schoolgirl, in her holidays worked at the factory on the treadle machine fixing the latches onto the cases. G H & S banjos were sold all over the world.
Thanks from our family for all those kind comments on your site. I am busy trying to gather in and collect and restore G H & S Banjo instruments to pass onto our grand children. So that the family name and the golden lion trade mark is never forgotten. How proud my father in law would be. Thanks again.
. Johnboy.

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: Jack Campin
Date: 18 Aug 20 - 03:27 PM

Another Melody-Uke owner here. Really nice instrument. Told it was from 1936 but I can't see a serial number, is there one?

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: weerover
Date: 21 Aug 20 - 04:01 PM

I bought a second-hand banjo-mandolin (I think) from my local music shop 30+ years ago and it seemed quite old then. The dealer said he got it from a guy who found it in his late grandfather's loft. The instrument itself has no maker's marks but the case has a plate with the name Rushworth and Dreaper. It is a typical banjo arrangement (skin top and heavy round wooden body) and a fingerboard of around mandolin length. It plays in tune (with mandolin strings and GDAE tuning) but doesn't project a lot of sound or resonance, perhaps absorbed by the mass of wood of the body.

I don't know whether this instrument has any value, though I wouldn't be looking to get rid either way. I do muck around with it occasionally, though I am not much of a musician.I hadn't picked up an instrument of any sort for a year or so after having a stroke, but recently retired and find myself with time on my hands.

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: clueless don
Date: 22 Aug 20 - 08:17 AM

We have one. It's essentially unplayable, though that could perhaps be improved with some TLC. I got it from a friend who was "trying to find it a new home."

There is a plate on the back saying DIXIE BRAND MFD. BY B. & J. NEW YORK. There is also a logo, that I can't really make out (someone standing on a round object?) Within the round object is the word DURRO.

Don

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,Gary
Date: 07 Aug 21 - 09:49 AM

Hi l have a gh&s model H 4 string with a silver embossed base in a black original case, can anyone give me any info thanks

Subject: RE: Houghton banjo mandolin
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 10 Aug 21 - 06:14 AM

Music shop story after reading above. Bought my Gurian guitar in Grants? in Edinburgh, not far from Bennetts Bar. (Last century) Two racks of guitars edge on. Shop man tuned each in midair as he handed them to me...