DESCRIPTION:
This fascinating Buckbee Minstrel Fretless 8-Hook Banjo likely dates to the 1880's and pairs a Maple and Brazilian Rosewood 8-hook 11-inch calfskin-head pot with a fretless neck and is strung with nylon strings that would originally have been gut. It plays well, with a warm pleasant tone.
The non-original friction tuners are Rosewood, possibly Brazilian, and the nut is a small piece of Ebony. The tailpiece is original. The eight hooks use a small factory-made shield mount, and very unusually the original key-type tensioning tool is included!
There are no real identifying marks on this banjo, so identification and dating is based on construction and hardware types. The eight tension hooks is an unusually small number for an 11-inch pot and with the fretless neck suggests a 'Minstrel' style. While it is fretless, the fingerboard has 14 slots cut and filled in fret locations, just as many modern fretted basses are converted to fretless. The remainder of the fingerboard is unmarked, suggesting Frailing or Clawhammer playing styles.
The Deering Banjo Company has a feature on Minstrel style banjos at this link.
Sold without case.
From its beginnings in the early 1860's to its collapse in 1897, the J H Buckbee Company was a pioneer in the development of the mass production of Banjos and other musical instruments. For a time Buckbee was the largest banjo maker in the USA, which also meant in the world. Following its bankruptcy, the remains of the company were purchased by William Rettburg and William Lange and launched the Orpheum and Paramount instrument lines.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Minstrel 5-String Open Back Fretless Banjo
- Instrument Manufacturer: J H Buckbee
- Instrument year: 1880s
- Instrument Finish: Natural
- Instrument Class: Open Back Banjos
- Instrument serial number: N/A, built around 1880's in New York City
- Country of Origin: USA
- Instrument Condition: Good
- Playing Condition: Good
- Right-handed
- CITIES Documentation Required: Yes
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 2.42 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 1.1 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 25.59 in
- Scale Length Metric: 650 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.301 in
- Nut Width Metric: 33.05 mm
- Case included: No
- Case original: N/A
- Case Type: N/A
- Items in Case: N/A
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190325
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |