Comment by Trapdoor2 on April 30, 2024 at 18:14

Very cool!

Aside from the tailpiece, it is identical to mine!

Comment by Satoshi Hara on May 1, 2024 at 0:41

Hi! Trapdoor2.

Yes, it is. The tailpiece is missing. I am going to have a Japanese luthier make a replica. If you have the original tailpiece, could you take a detailed photo of it and show it to me?

Satoshi

Comment by Trapdoor2 on May 1, 2024 at 14:07

Mine does not have the Stewart "Common Sense" tailpiece either. I've never seen one (or even a picture of one). The Stewart Catalog woodcuts I have of the Cello Banjo do not show a Common Sense type of tailpiece.

Here is mine.

Comment by Satoshi Hara on May 1, 2024 at 23:34

Wow! Thank you for sharing the photo of your cello banjo.

 This is exactly the kind of tailpiece I want to make! Is the material ebony?

Comment by Trapdoor2 on May 2, 2024 at 17:19

I believe it is ebony. Here are some closer pictures. I'll have a full set of dimensions for you this evening. I assume metric is your preference?

Comment by Satoshi Hara on May 2, 2024 at 18:52

Thank you for sharing the photo that shows the shape of the tailpiece! I am so happy.

S.S.Stewart's used white butterfly shells imported from Japan for their inlays at the time, and I would love to try using the same material.

Thank you so much.I appreciate it.

I was wondering why Japanese materials were used in American instruments 130 years ago,

Perhaps this was due to the fact that many Japanese crafts were exhibited at the World's Fair held just prior to the fair in Philadelphia1876, the city where S.S. Stewart was founded in 1879.

Comment by Trapdoor2 on May 2, 2024 at 20:03

My pleasure! Always happy to help.

I would imagine the reasoning behind the shell usage was economic. However, consumers like exotic stuff and in the 19th Century, Japan was very mysterious and exotic place for the average American consumer. Even if the shells were a little more expensive, the association with exoticism would sell them. The World's Fair absolutely put them on the map.

Here's the dimensioned drawing I promised. My High-School drafting teacher would be disappointed (especially with my atrocious lettering)...but it has been a long time!

 

Comment by Satoshi Hara on May 3, 2024 at 7:33

I am thrilled that you shared the detailed size of the tailpiece.

If I were a teacher at your school, I would waive tuition!

Your kindness is sincerely appreciated.

Comment by David Trainer on Saturday

Beautiful instrument that fascinates me. 

Are you able to post a video so we can see and hear the banjo being played ? 

Thanks. 

Dave 

Comment by Trapdoor2 on Saturday

This is from 11yrs ago, when I first got it. I should do an update and play a whole tune...

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