How do I find a decent zither banjo?

[ritchie thomson]

Hi, there are plenty of these on ebay, but given the age of them I would rather get one that has been properly restored by a luthier who knows about this instrument - is this possible?

Ritchie

[Pär Engstrand]

Hi Ian.

Just to let you know that the link you posted ends up at some strange tracking site, or something. I ended up on grandprice.pl or something similar....

[Jody Stecher]

I found the link lead to nothing.

Pär Engstrand said:

Hi Ian.

Just to let you know that the link you posted ends up at some strange tracking site, or something. I ended up on grandprice.pl or something similar....

[thereallyniceman]

Sorry chaps, I copied the link directly from the website and it worked OK in the UK... but who knows, maybe it blocks other countries.

The auction is to be held online on Nov 24th      https://www.pbauctioneers.co.uk/

Above are screen shots from the auction catalogue.

[David Wade]

As we have had no Rallys this year, I still have reasonable stock. However I have now heard of three instances where banjos have been damaged in transit which makes me nervous about sending instruments.

If you can get down somewhere near obviously after 2nd December you are welcome to see my stock - all of which are luthier set up to optimum playing  condition.

David
ritchie thomson said:

Well, thanks Ian but its too late I bought it! I quite fancied tinkering with it, and if I mess it up I havent lost much. The good news is that the hoop is pretty much still circular and the neck only has the slightest of bows, fretboard is a bit worn but not too bad and there is some fretware. . I have taken it all apart and cleaned it and ordered a new skin, bridge and strings. 

Yes i probably should have bought a properly done up one from Dave, probably will have to when my restoration attempts fail, but Dave wasnt too keen on posting them. 

[ritchie thomson]

Thanks David, would be good to do that, but not sure I will be able to travel this side of Christmas, maybe next year. What do you have, Temletts, Windsors, Cammeyers?

[ritchie thomson]

Your not going to buy another one are you Par, thought you had 3 already?

Pär Engstrand said:

Hi Ian.

Just to let you know that the link you posted ends up at some strange tracking site, or something. I ended up on grandprice.pl or something similar....

[Richard William Ineson]

Here a few pictures of what is probably one of the last zither banjos made by Sydney Young,  it belonged to Leonard Hussey at one time. Sidney Young's signature is stamped on the heel and it is also stamped with the Alvey Turner mark on the back of the peghead and the number 108.

[Richard William Ineson]

[Richard William Ineson]

[Richard William Ineson]

[Richard William Ineson]

[Pär Engstrand]

I have 5, actually :-)

At the moment I'm not looking to buy another one but I'm pretty sure that the Vibrante I bought a month ago will not be the last zither banjo I'll ever buy...

ritchie thomson said:

Your not going to buy another one are you Par, thought you had 3 already?

Pär Engstrand said:

Hi Ian.

Just to let you know that the link you posted ends up at some strange tracking site, or something. I ended up on grandprice.pl or something similar....