Comment by David Wade on June 19, 2011 at 22:08

Hi, only just logged onto the site this evening hence lack of respnose. This is very nice presentation zither-banjo mid 1890s I would say probably a Matthews - almost certainly a Brum maker than London.

Looks to be in good condition - I strongly recoment changing the strings to Clifford Essex regular zither-banjo strings - the nylon 3rd is much kinder to older necks than steel. The bridge is non-original and it would be better with a heavy two legged maple Cammeyer style brdge. There looks to be a few pieces of mop missing - don't worry these are easily replaced by those in know.

Love the Tudor Rose, I've never seen one like that!

David

www.zither-banjo.org

Comment by SWCooper on June 19, 2011 at 22:44

Thanks so much...that gives me a place to start and a better idea what I've got.

I've got the Clifford Essex strings on the way. The bridge is from a bluegrass five-string, well spotted. In the process now of cleaning it up (some of the hardware in the pot is pretty rusty).

I'm a transplanted American, so I'd never seen a zither banjo until recently. I think I'm in love. If I'm not careful, I'll end up a very old lady surrounded by zither banjos.

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