Comment by thereallyniceman on April 27, 2011 at 22:38

As a Brit I am a bit confused about what an Estate sale is..I have seen them mentioned frequently on US groups.  We don't have them here in the UK, or they are not known as estate sales. How do you get to  find out about them?  Over here if grandpa dies his stuff ends up at the local auction house or goes to relatives, or even worse..the dump!

Banjos in the sale! are a lucky find.

In the 1970s I used to buy and sell banjos.I worked out that players from the 1900-1920 would now be in heaven, so relatives would have banjos they didn't want.  I placed adverts in the local press and granddad's favourite old banjo came out from the loft, or under the bed and was sold to me for a good price.....  today I wish I had kept them all..particularly the top tension Clifford Essex  Top Tension New Paragon  I bought for £40  :-(

Comment by Jody Stecher on April 28, 2011 at 5:40

As a Brit I am a bit confused about what an Estate sale is..

It's like a rummage sale but the owner of the property is dead instead of selling.

I have seen them mentioned frequently on US groups.  We don't have them here in the UK, or they are not known as estate sales. How do you get to  find out about them?  

usually by walking or driving by a sign that says "Estate Sale" or "Estate Sale Saturday" or "Estate Sale Today"

Over here if grandpa dies his stuff ends up at the local auction house

that happens here too. It's then an estate auction

or goes to relatives,

here as well. Then the relatives keep what they want and have a yard sale for the rest (banjos, worn shoes, moldy books, that sort of thing). The estate sale is usually done by the relatives. Or sometimes the relatives hire a professional.

 

or even worse..the dump!

that also happens here. But then it's not a sale. My dad found me a banjo in a garbage pail (dustbin) once. No, it was twice!

Comment by thereallyniceman on April 28, 2011 at 10:15

Thanks  for that Jody,

 

We call them "Garage Sales" when people sell their old junk by putting a sign in the front garden. Unfortunately, they usually ARE Junk!

 

Good to see that you are still around on here, not seen you for a while.

Ian

:-)

Comment by Tim Twiss on April 28, 2011 at 11:01

So anyway, does anybody spot anything besides a wallhanger in this lot?

Comment by Sylvia on April 28, 2011 at 12:13

I think you are going to have to shout a bit louder Tim   : )

Comment by Jody Stecher on April 28, 2011 at 17:42

They're garage sales here too. Or GRAJ sales, which stands for Getting Rid Of Junk. In past years I found a Gibson A4 mandolin and a Ludwig banjo at GRAJ sales. Lately I saw a Vega banjo from the 20s at  a front porch sale. I've been on tour in australia for 3 weeks and had limited internet access and limited free time which is why I've been absent from this group for a while. While down under I acquired a Clifford Essex XX from the earliest period. She ring like bell.

Comment by thereallyniceman on April 28, 2011 at 19:01

Sorry to hijack Tim's thread!  I have no idea about the banjos, but there is no such thing as a junk banjo. Have you bought these? If so you must have thought they would come back to life :-)  It would be good to hear them playing again. I think the bracket shoes are very interesting ob banjo 3.3. It seems to be a quality banjo.

Jody,  Congratulations on your Clifford Essex XX ,  truly a A C Fairbanks Whyte Laydie on steroids :-)  I love mine too. Doesn't the tone ring make for a lovely bright ringing sound?... Are we going to get a video??

Comment by Tim Twiss on April 29, 2011 at 2:01

A friend brought 3 banjos over. They were property of her father, who collected lots of things. I don't own them, but she gave me a peek before the actual sale in case they had any special value or worth. My impression is no, but if somebody sees something I don't, let me know. The cost of restoration seems prohibitive.  

Comment by thereallyniceman on April 30, 2011 at 22:37

Tim, I agree with you. Professional restoration would make the banjos far too expensive for what they are worth, and especially considering the condition that they are in. For the cost of a vellum, strings a bridge and a few hours work I am sure that they would be playable, but never really worth anything.  Many people associate "old" with valuable. I was once told by an antiques dealer that you should always buy the very best quality no matter how old the item is, as old crap is the same as new crap... worthless  :-)

Comment by Tim Twiss on May 1, 2011 at 15:00

Okay, thanks much. I passed on this information to the owner. 

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