Looking for zither banjos

[John Cohen]

I'm reaching out to the British members on this forum.  Lately I have been getting into zither banjo playing and I'm now looking for some higher end instruments (Cammeyer Vibrante Royal, Pro-grade Abbot, Temlett, and the rare zither banjos made by Weaver).  If you know of any for sale, could you please pass along the details?

[Richard William Ineson]

I've got a Windsor Artiste No. 1 for sale, I think that this was Windsor's most expensive banjo. Mine is dated 1905, all gold plated and engraved, hollow neck, original leather case ( a bit worn) with the initials T.W.T. stamped on the lid. Original Windsor bolt key.

[John Cohen]

Hi Richard, I'll send you an email sometime in the next 24 hours.  I'm on a plane about to depart Tokyo heading back to the states.  I'm very interested in the banjo.

[Jody Stecher]

That's a really nice looking bridge, Richard.  I don't think I've seen one like it before.

Richard William Ineson said:

I've got a Windsor Artiste No. 1 for sale, I think that this was Windsor's most expensive banjo. Mine is dated 1905, all gold plated and engraved, hollow neck, original leather case ( a bit worn) with the initials T.W.T. stamped on the lid. Original Windsor bolt key.

[Jody Stecher]

I'm not British. I'm replying anyway.   I have a Cammeyer Patent I would part with.  "Patent" is the name of the model. It is ornate and lovely, or will be once it is restored. Apparently the decorative veneer tended to separate from the wood on this model, and mine is no exception. I have the bits and pieces. The needed restoration is entirely cosmetic. There are no structural problems. The price to an interested  party would reflect the fact that work is needed. Here are some comments from Eli Kaufman  which provide context that members of this forum might find of interest:

"Cammeyer introduced the Vibrante in 1909. The Royal was a later  (?late 1920s or 1930s)  modification. After Cammeyer retired about 1932 – Sydney Young continued making the Vibrante Royal for a decade or so.   Although, as the  top of the line, the Vibrante became de rigueur for serious ZB players it has its problems. It had a larger head than the usual ZB  (and other Cammeyer ZBs) As such it takes much more control to get the  ZB sound.  Derek Lillywhite told me about this in 1972. I’ve always looked for a good Cammeyer Patent- which preceded the Vib. But have never found one in good shape."

and

"Your Patent was the 4,421st Cammeyer banjo made (actually this includes the earlier Essex and Cammeyers- or at least includes all the banjos after they started numbering them). It was the 626th Patent made.  It was made sometime in mid 1913 (4,406 was made 2/2/13 and 4,450 was made 12/12/13."

[Richard William Ineson]

These bridges were advertised in the B.M.G. in the 1920's I think, I can't remember offhand who made them but it wasn't Windsor; like all these complicated 'improvements' I don't think that this design of bridge made any difference to the sound of a banjo in a positive way. I've probably got one tucked away somewhere, I'll see if I can find it and send you a photograph or two.

Jody Stecher said:

That's a really nice looking bridge, Richard.  I don't think I've seen one like it before.

Richard William Ineson said:

I've got a Windsor Artiste No. 1 for sale, I think that this was Windsor's most expensive banjo. Mine is dated 1905, all gold plated and engraved, hollow neck, original leather case ( a bit worn) with the initials T.W.T. stamped on the lid. Original Windsor bolt key.

[Richard William Ineson]

John Cohen said:

My mind was wandering when I wrote the last post, the banjo is of course the 'De Luxe' No.1 which was even more de luxe than the 'Artiste No.1' and supposedly took two years to make. Hi Richard, I'll send you an email sometime in the next 24 hours.  I'm on a plane about to depart Tokyo heading back to the states.  I'm very interested in the banjo.

[Richard William Ineson]

I found the advert for the bridge in the April 1927 B.M.G.

Richard William Ineson said:

These bridges were advertised in the B.M.G. in the 1920's I think, I can't remember offhand who made them but it wasn't Windsor; like all these complicated 'improvements' I don't think that this design of bridge made any difference to the sound of a banjo in a positive way. I've probably got one tucked away somewhere, I'll see if I can find it and send you a photograph or two.

Jody Stecher said:

That's a really nice looking bridge, Richard.  I don't think I've seen one like it before.

Richard William Ineson said:

I've got a Windsor Artiste No. 1 for sale, I think that this was Windsor's most expensive banjo. Mine is dated 1905, all gold plated and engraved, hollow neck, original leather case ( a bit worn) with the initials T.W.T. stamped on the lid. Original Windsor bolt key.