29 Frets?

[Trapdoor2]

Well, I can't say that I've ever seen a 29-fret banjo!

This is from the J. H. Jennings collection Joel has on his Internet Archive site. "Derby Day Galop de Concert". To his credit, he does include an alternate three measures that aren't in the cheese-slicer/nosebleed section. ;-)

[Trapdoor2]

For some silly reason, I didn't even think of an extended fretboard on a regular banjo. I have several, but they're on banjeaurines.

Byron Thomas said:

Here's a 29 fret Farland Beveled wood top banjo thats been on ebay for a bit.

farland%20banjo.webp

[Joel Hooks]

I count 20:

[Byron Thomas]

Here's another 29 fret banjo that was floating through photos. I'm not sure what make the banjo is though. Anyone have a guess? I'm guessing that the bottom banjo is an Essex based on the peghead shield.

[Joel Hooks]

The OP solo was published in 1897.  Farland was not making these banjos at that time, so Jennings did not have one.  Jennings became a strong endorser of Fairbanks and later Vega banjos.  

Byron Thomas said:

Here's another 29 fret banjo that was floating through photos. I'm not sure what make the banjo is though. Anyone have a guess? I'm guessing that the bottom banjo is an Essex based on the peghead shield.