7 STRING ZITHER BANJO IDENTIFICATION.

[IAN SALTER]

Does the design of any parts of this banjo, suggest a possible maker and/or date of manufacture, to anybody?

As I've just bought, but not yet received it, I can't look for maker's marks or numbers. It looks to be in excellent condition, just requiring a replacement thumb string pip, an appropriate bridge and new strings.

I've been playing my open back 7 string banjos for months now, but for a change I started on my 5 string zither banjos again last week. Then, just when I was wondering what a 7 string zither banjo would be like to play, this turned up for £42. 

Any thoughts will be appreciated. I have no idea how to post smaller photos.

[Jody Stecher]

I don't know who built it but it looks like it may be a composite of parts. While 6 grooves in the nut suggests 6 long strings, the absence of the customary tunnel for the  short string suggests the neck may be from a standard open-back banjo. The five grooves for the strings at the bottom of the hoop suggest the pot was intended for 5 strings.

[IAN SALTER]

When it arrived I removed the head assembly and discovered that the maker was Geo. P. Matthew. 

In the photos, the numbers stamped on the hoop, were 2 6 9, the last three digits of the number on the perch pole. Looked at upside down, the 2 and 6 can be seen next to the screw that took out the 9.

GEO.P.MATTHEW is stamped twice into the back piece of the drum, along with BIRMINGHAM stamped once.

The photo of the heel shows, crudely scratched with a fine implement the marks: N/W/Z or Z/M/N, if looked at the other way up, which must have meant something to someone; maybe an owner's initials. 

All in all I could not be happier with it.

Jody, I think you are spot on regarding the parts of two separate banjos having been joined together.