Help please

[Deborah Powers]

My Nan used to play the banjo ( many many moons ago ) she was known as “Ena and her banjo”.

Unfortunately her banjo has fallen into disrepair over the years . However her musical genius (apparently a blooming brilliant singer too)has skipped the last 3 generations .We are looking for a recommendation for someone/company to do a sympathetic repair as a surprise for our mums 80th birthday next year .We live in Leicestershire (England) can any one advise us please 

Many thanks 

[IAN SALTER]

Hi Deborah,

Can you post some photos of the banjo, please?

[Deborah Powers]

[Jake Glanville]

Hello there Deborah,

Not sure how many replies you've had since February, but here is my ten pennyworth.

Your Nan's banjo appears to all intents and purposes to be a Windsor Popular Model 7 from the 1920's or '30's.  (Can't be sure without a closer look.)  It is of course a 5-string English zither-banjo.

In my 65 years of being a zither-banjo fanatic I have encountered many a luthier and many a banjo-repairer, some good, some frankly, diabolical.  Today there are very, very few who understand the zither-banjo.  Beware!

However, one notable exception is John Marlow Stringed Instruments, of Dewsbury, Tel: [phone], Email: www.jmarlowstringedinstruments.co.uk

He did a magnificent job on my 1895 W Temlett which once belonged to Tarrant Bailey Jnr.  Not the kind of instrument one would entrust to just anybody.  When I gave him the banjo it was in a sorry state and quite unplayable.  It was returned to me in superb condition and looking exactly as it looked in its heyday.  His charges are very reasonable, but as I'm sure you're fully aware, it is Time which costs money, and your Nan's by the look of it, although I'm sure it can be fully restored is going to require a great deal of time, but anyway, have a word with John.

Zither banjos, alas, don't sell for much I'm afraid, and I recently I bought one like yours, but in good fully playable condition, for just over £60, so maybe that's something to consider.

Good luck and kindest regards,

Black Jake of Norwich.