Classic-Banjo

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Comment by nick stephens on September 29, 2020 at 15:08: is that an SS Stewart ?

Comment by nick stephens on September 29, 2020 at 17:21: great old banjo Ruthi, I would like to try one of those out someday, I have several Vegas, tubaphones and whyte laydies but more and more I favour my old Fairbanks Vega with no tone ring or bracket band and I am impressed with the way these "simpler" banjos sound.

Comment by Joel Hooks on September 29, 2020 at 17:31: Nice! that is a late one, likely built by the Bauer Co. between 1903 and 1911. Could you post more photos? How many frets does it have?

Comment by Ruthi K Weldin on September 29, 2020 at 18:59: It has 20 Frets

I recently acquired it because I like the way it sounds. I have had to replace the nut, and a few hooks. Snapped a string after hook replacement...but it had a snag anyway. Now I'm waiting on new strings, and I've ordered a new bridge, and tailpiece. The Tailpiece pictured here, that came with it, is a Elite no-knot...unfortunately one of the knobs flew off when a string let go...nearly knocked me out...I did find the little piece, and the hole it goes in is no longer round. I intend to use the new one, and get this one repaired...I may speak to a jeweler. I can solder pretty darn good, but have never done silver soldering, and I'm not eager for this to be my first try. I start lessons in 'old time/claw-hammer' hopefully the beginning of next month.

Comment by Joel Hooks on September 29, 2020 at 19:20: According to the Bauer Co. catalog, Elite was a stock option-- buyers choice. They could get a Common Sense or an Elite.

Elite tailpieces don't stand well to wire strings and it is possible that you were lucky enough to have it let go after previous fatigue. I will add that polyester strings sold as "nylgut" are much thicker and higher tension than what was originally used.

I see that under your photo there is a screen shot from Mugwumps website. You can go ahead and scrap that, it is not correct.

Your banjo will be a fine player but it was not built by S. S. Stewart, it was likely built by The Bauer Co, in a different building. They continued to make "Stewart" model banjos until 1911.

Comment by Ruthi K Weldin on September 29, 2020 at 21:29: In any event, I like the way it sounds. The previous owner inherited it, and told me that it did have steel strings on it which he removed. It is currently taking a break from any strings until the new tailpiece arrives. It had rather thick nylgut strings on it when I got it, I’ve bought a thinner versions that indicate light and medium tension. I’ll just have to figure out which ones I like better since I’m not inclined to pay for real gut strings, and I have no aspirations of being able to make them.

Comment by thereallyniceman on October 1, 2020 at 13:39: Nice looking (and sounding) banjo eh Ruthi? I like the Mother of Pearl inlays. I once had an SSS with so much inlay that it gave you a migraine attack :-)

Welcome to Classic Banjo Ning. I hope that we see you bashing a tune on the old 'jo very soon!

Ian