Classic-Banjo
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WOOD HOOP WINDSOR?
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?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jody Stecher on
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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. ;-)
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Permalink Reply by IAN SALTER on
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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!
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An update on this banjo:
A friend collected it from the auction house, which saved me a considerable amount on the delivery cost and then sent me the photos. It is the lowest grade "Unique" Model and is in very good condition, requiring only some attention to a small split in the fingerboard, a good clean and polish and a replacement tuning peg, that another friend has waiting for me. It came with what appears to be an original "The New Windsor" bridge. I'm really looking forward to putting strings on it and getting it playable again. Not bad for £43 including fees.
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Congratulations. This is likely to sound very good. I'd be wary of the round-footed bridge though. They tend to topple over. My Windsor Grand Solo has the hollow-footed maple bridge shown on the catalogue page. It makes good tone and so do the copies I had made. Alas these are on banjos I no longer have and the man who made them has died.
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Thank you for the warning about the bridge Jody. It's particularly good to know, as I have recently stopped 'tickling' my banjos, playing quietly to myself and have begun to get some significant volume out of them, in preparation for recording. I'm going to put on the gut and wound silk strings that I always use, which will hopefully work well on it.
It's a pity about the hollow-footed bridges; I shall ask my friends who have banjo collections, if they have any for you.
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Thank you (about the old bridges)!
About recording: when recording sometimes a light touch sounds better than playing hard. It depends on the equipment, including the microphone(s) and mic placement, and on the particular instrument and player. For playing a concert with no microphones......yes playing hard is required. For recording cylinders via the old pre-electric "acoustic" process of playing into a horn..... playing Very Hard is required. But for recording with microphones, maybe not. Unless it records better that way. It might or might not.
IAN SALTER said:Thank you for the warning about the bridge Jody. It's particularly good to know, as I have recently stopped 'tickling' my banjos, playing quietly to myself and have begun to get some significant volume out of them, in preparation for recording. I'm going to put on the gut and wound silk strings that I always use, which will hopefully work well on it.
It's a pity about the hollow-footed bridges; I shall ask my friends who have banjo collections, if they have any for you.
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