Van Eps Recording Banjos

[John Cohen]

Does anybody have experience with these, especially the earlier non-flush fret models? Are they very good banjos?

[Jody Stecher]

Yes they are. They are very bright though. they sound like an old van eps recording. but some of these have been "improved" (vandalized) over the years, with the vellum with the sound hole replaced with a standard plastic head and with the satellite dish/hubcap thingy removed.

[John Cohen]

The one I"m looking at has replacement calfskin without the sound hole, but it still has the dish.  I'm not sure how it would sound with the dish but without the hole... it's an earlier model with the fully spun-over rim.

[Joel Hooks]

John, if you are selling an Electric because it is too bright, these will pierce you ears off and make your eyes water.

The tone of FVE's era was "thin" and sharp with lots of carrying power.  He perfected it with these monsters.

I love it, but it might not be for you from what I can tell.

If it turns out you do like them, get your check book warmed up as folks who have them are very proud of that fact.

I think that FVE's personal banjo "Meal Ticket" is still for sale.

[John Cohen]

I like the thin, sharp tone.  I managed to get my Electric sounding quite good, but I'm not convinced that the pencil thin neck is for me.  I also find larger rims more comfortable to play- small rims seem to agitate some old arm and wrist injuries that I have.  I'd be doing a straight trade for the Van Eps, although I'm not sure it would be a fair trade.  Even though my Electric is a parts banjo, it may still be worth a lot more than the Van Eps.

[Jody Stecher]

In most cases, depending on condition etc, the Van Eps would be worth more than the Electric. Have you played the van eps? the necks are not fat as i recall.

John Cohen said:

I like the thin, sharp tone.  I managed to get my Electric sounding quite good, but I'm not convinced that the pencil thin neck is for me.  I also find larger rims more comfortable to play- small rims seem to agitate some old arm and wrist injuries that I have.  I'd be doing a straight trade for the Van Eps, although I'm not sure it would be a fair trade.  Even though my Electric is a parts banjo, it may still be worth a lot more than the Van Eps.

[Trapdoor2]

Van Eps gave up on the sound hole idea pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it became a meme that wouldn't go away.

Two of the flush fret versions sold a couple years ago for $10k each.

[John Cohen]

I heard that the Van Eps necks aren't fat compared to Vega necks, etc., but that they are a good bit larger than the AC Fairbanks necks.  I haven't gotten to play the banjo, and I'm about to chat with the owner.  It looks like he's kept it in good condition, and it has remained strung with nylon strings.

[John Cohen]

Trapdoor, this isn't the flush fret version- it's one of the Lyon and Healy branded ones from the 1910s-1920s.

[Jody Stecher]

can you show us a photo?

John Cohen said:

Trapdoor, this isn't the flush fret version- it's one of the Lyon and Healy branded ones from the 1910s-1920s.

[John Cohen]

[John Cohen]

[John Cohen]

For reference, here is the Electric I'm considering trading: