Alfred Weaver from 1910

[Joel Hooks]

Well, the shield is engraved “R. Veeck Sydney 1910”.  So that could be when Veeck bought it, ordered it, or was given it (a “presentation banjo”!).

I picked this up at the Spring ABF rally and it was in pieces.  The heavy rim required a 12 1/16” head (which I had as another Weaver I have needed the same size).  When I install plastic heads on these I use a round file to notch the aluminum “flesh hoop” for hook clearance.  I understand that some will try to bend the hooks to clear this and that will cause them to break.  I make the parts fit the banjo.

This example retains the original Champion pegs and frets.  It is a bit odd.  The scale is 27.5” (in my limited experience 12” Weavers tend to be 28”).  The heel shows the expected gouge and chisel fitting marks and there is absolutely no signs of “funny business” with the neck set.  But, this banjo requires a 5/8” tall bridge for the proper high action, 1/2” bridge buzzes.

I suppose there could have been at one time the “old jam a thick shim in for wire strings” which could have distorted something changing the action.  The other possibility was that this banjo was originally built for wire strings and pick playing.  The problem with that theory is that I have the (likely) original tailpiece that is wood.

Any thoughts about why this banjo could have been made for a 5/8” bridge from people who know more about Weaver banjos than I do?

Despite the tall bridge, it a fantastic playing and sounding banjo.