Comment by Carl Anderton on March 28, 2009 at 3:25

Marvelous. A fella just can't go wrong with ole A.J., can he?

Comment by thereallyniceman on March 28, 2009 at 18:47

Nicely played and what a great song. You deserve the round of applause!
Nice Zither..what make is that?
All the best from the UK

Ian

Comment by marc dalmasso on March 28, 2009 at 20:12

i join the applause , too , Ray . Thx for the new old song

Comment by Ray Jones on March 28, 2009 at 21:24

Hi Ian
It's a No1 Windsor Concert Grand. It once belonged to Edward Wagstaff. He founded the BP Oil Company in Australia, back in 1905 I think. You can learn all about it from Dave Wade's website zither banjo. Regards Ray

Comment by Carl Anderton on March 29, 2009 at 0:48

That's a pretty dang interesting pedigree, Ray. Here's a bio I found on Edward Wagstaff--

http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A160551b.htm

It doesn't say anything about his banjo playing. When you're a multi-millionaire, I suppose the banjo is not high on the priority list. Imagine!

Comment by Ray Jones on March 29, 2009 at 1:59

Hi Carl
I read that article with interest. When he died his estate actually left 2 banjos. The Windsor and a beautiful Bacon & Day, along with some music. The solid leather case is badly knocked about and is covered with shipping labels from many countries, showing that he travelled in style. I do have a photo of E. E. Wagstaff but not with his banjo. Among all the music were several pieces written by an Arthur Sullivan. They were also autographed to 'Waggers' with best wishes. For many years folks thought that this was 'the' Sir Arthur Sullivan, but by comparing dates, the time of his Knighthood and the signatures we were able to prove that it was a banjoist and composer who just happened to have the same name. All very interesting.

Comment by marc dalmasso on March 29, 2009 at 9:17

Bravo , i like the instruments with an history . Do your Windsor have the strange_compensed second fret ?

Comment by Ray Jones on March 29, 2009 at 9:33

Hi Marc
Yes, it has the 'dogleg' on the 1st string of the 2nd fret. If you go into the Zither Banjo Website, click on the 'Main Index', then ' Banjos' then Windsor Zither Banjos' then 'Gallery'. You will then see all the banjos, click on the "Wagstaff" and you can see the dogleg quite clearly. Ray

Comment by thereallyniceman on March 29, 2009 at 12:59

Hi Ray,
Yes, yours is a very nice Windsor zither with history too. I have a zither shown on David Wade's site too. Mine is a Jack Abbott Snr Amboyna No1. Mine has a bit of history too. It belonged to James Newell. (Who?? I hear you say) Well, James Newall was the man who taught Bert Weedon to play guitar. He also played banjo. I bought this from his son:
http://www.bertweedon.com/biog.htm

I bought it but never play it. I was going to sell it, but.perhaps you have emotivated me to have ago with it! She really is a doll:
http://www.zither-banjo.org/pages/ian1.htm

Comment by Ray Jones on March 29, 2009 at 21:21

Crikey, Bert Weedon! that's going back. Is he still alive.

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