WOOD HOOP WINDSOR?

[IAN SALTER]

Can anybody identify this banjo? In looking at the catalogue that Joel recently posted, I'm sure that it is a Windsor. Although similar to the Popular model no1 except for the peg head, which is like the no3, it appears to have a wood hoop. It isn't the same as the illustration on the "Wood Hoop" Ordinary Banjo page, which I assume is the Grand Solo model. So, could it be one of the three lower grade models?

I've previously asked for opinions about the Popular models and they are regarded as being very good instruments and I've found a discussion about clad versus wood rims, wherein Jody was very enthusiastic about his 1903 Grand Solo. Do you think that this banjo would be a good purchase?

[Jody Stecher]

Ian, the Grand Solo has a beveled hoop and in place of a tail piece there are 5 metal nubs built into the tension hoop to which the string loops are attached.   The banjo you are considering seems to have the latter feature. The New Windsor advert picture is indeed of the Grand Solo.  I don't know if the lower wood hoop models had the "rice paddle" headstock of the metal-clad #3 in the catalog. If the banjo you are considering has the bevel and the rim is 3/4 inch thick and it has the string loop nubs,  then it might be the same hoop as on the Grand Solo, in which case it is likely to sound very good.

The banjo you are considering comes with spider webs on the peghead. I haven't seen that in the catalogs. Probably available at no extra cost.  ;-)

[IAN SALTER]

Hi Jody,

Thanks very much for the information. I haven't got any other photos to check the bevel and thickness, but as I don't have a wood hoop 5 string banjo and that, apart from the occasional CE, they don't seem to come up for sale very often, I think I'll take a chance and go for it.

You've got to wonder what lurks inside the hoop!