Existing S.S. Stewart Special Thoroughbreds

[Richard Katz]

Has anyone ever compiled a list of existing S.S. Stewart Special Thoroughbreds? Perhaps a serial number listing. Would be interesting to see how many have survived. Thanks!

[thereallyniceman]

Hi Richard,

My SSS Special Thoroughbred No4  (No4, as the ones with excessive MOP are often called!) is still alive and well and for sale if anyone want's a beauty like this!

Here is my serial number... so over to you and good luck with the rest of the list ;-)

[Shawn McSweeny]

The regular Special Thoroughbred was the very best banjo Stewart could make for $40.00, and it sold extremely well. Many, many survivors have appeared on ebay and dealer sites over the last decade or so. It is not a rare banjo by any means. I'm not aware of any existing Sp Th database.

Ian's fancy example is much rarer, but just to clarify, it is the $60.00  No 3, not a No 4 or 5, as Stewart made no such models.

The Special Thoroughbred could be ordered "Finished similar to the $60.00 "Orchestra" in appearance", which, according to the Stewart catalogue, was the $50.00 No. 3 model plus a $10.00 upgrade for fancier pearl work and mosaic veneer to the rim interior. Ian's banjo corresponds to the $60.00 detailed description and woodcuts. Even more elaborate, costlier upgrades were available, but all were still designated as No. 3. 

Ian's fine banjo is all the more interesting however, as it appears to be a match to that of banjo prodigy Fred Stuber.

 

[Richard Katz]

Hi Shawn,
Thanks for the clarification and the photos!

[thereallyniceman]

Yes Shawn, Thanks for the clarification again.

As we discussed on site recently the model No 4 does not exist from SSS. Banjos of the appearance have been sold as "No 4" by dealers both to distinguish them from the No3...and make them sound more special!!!

LINK TO PREVIOUS DISCUSSION

SPECIAL THOROUGHBRED  No4  from Gruhn Guitars

[Joel Hooks]

I cannot add anything about a list, but I would like to point out that Swaim's idea of a perfect banjo had little more than small squares or diamonds on the fingerboard.  The thought was that a pro could have repair work done anywhere on the road (frets/inlay) without too much trouble.  This was a feature that FVE used on his five strings-- fairly fancy banjos with plain fingerboards.

[Shawn McSweeny]

In the (unlikely) event that certain retailers wish to be enlightened, parts of the Stewart catalogue are excerpted below, with info pertinent to the higher grade Sp. Th. and Orch. highlighted.

 

 

Below is the Orch. No 3 catalogue info, noting that it can be ordered with a number of upgrades at escalating prices, but is still considered  a No. 3 :

 

[Joel Hooks]

Here is a better scan of that Stuber pic-- the original print version was not very good.