"Okay, the rim is 100% not CE. It looks to me like someone made it specific for the orphen neck in attempt to somewhat copy the aesthetics.
While it might be a fine playing and sounding banjo, it is only a CE neck. "
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Clifford Essex Boudoir Grand
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Hello List--i just received a banjo purchase on Ebay from a seller in Memphis, TN. With the help of materials discovered on this list I have identified it as a Clifford Essex Boudoir Grand,…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Joel Hooks Jan 24.
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" Interesting hypothesis. Will upload some close-up photos shortly."
"Hmm.. without better photos I am now thinking that you have a Japanese rim. The wooden flange is replacing a one piece gibson style flange.
The nuts on your banjo are nothing like the original BG. You have generic Gibson pattern nuts. …"
"Joel Hooks--nice name for a banjo afficionado! Thanks for the suggestion, it is indeed a possibility that some CE-enthusiast luthier decided to create his own take on the Boudoir Grand pot design, to couple it with an original neck with coordinator…"
"I saw this when it was on ebay.
I am 99.9999999% certain that you have a CE neck on a completely newly made rim that is not related to CE.
While the images are not clear, a CE rim would have a hole for the dowel end bolt, this rim…"
"Just re-figured dates--it was the summer of '77."
"Yes, let me know if you think of anyone.
Pretty sure that was the group--you, Jeremy, Cathy, Eric, and maybe one other. Kate wasn't part of it. I remember thinking you all were having a lot more fun than I was."
"Oh, Eric was... still is..... a skilled Irish tenor banjo player. After learning repertoire from immigrant box players Joe Cooley and Kevin Keegan. Eric even spent a year living in rural county Sligo absorbing the music, Cathie was Cathie…"
"Hi Jody--yes, that's me with the citterns. Lately I'm settled in upstate NY, but been all over--North Carolina, Chicago, Tennessee, Wales. I know a couple of luthiers hereabouts, but no one that pops out to me as a dab hand with British…"
"Are you the fingerpicking cittern player? Good daring stuff with verve, whether or not that's you. Where are you located? There are well-informed banjo repair folks all over. Out here in the Bay Area Paul Hostetter was the man but…"
"Hello Jody--thanks for weighing in.. Not sure if you'd remember, but I used to ride with you and the Berkeley Irish cats our to the Marin Ren Fair, during the draught summer of '76. Saw your posts here on the CE threads. Hope you're…"
"As you have observed, this banjo has gone through changes. Yes, the tailpiece and tuners have been replaced. I have no idea what to make of the wooden flange or the coordinator rods. The Boudoir Grand is a good banjo model but even in…"
Clifford Essex Boudoir Grand
Hello List--i just received a banjo purchase on Ebay from a seller in Memphis, TN. With the help of materials discovered on this list I have identified it as a Clifford Essex Boudoir Grand, all-wooden hoop, with rosewood neck and pot. The back of the headstock is stamped with the number 1552, which according to some sources here should date it to 1931-32, though others seem to disagree with that system.It's quite a rare and special banjo, though there are many quirky details--clearly it has…See More
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