Identifying Unmarked Banjos Amd radeon hd 6700 driver.

Many banjo manufacturers, in addition to making banjos under their own names, made unmarked banjos for others to sell as well. In some cases, teachers would purchase these instruments and put their own names on them, but in many other cases they carry no identifying name at all. It’s difficult to positively identify the manufacturer of these banjos in many cases, but some identify themselves through common hardware and design characteristics. Another useful set of identifying characteristics can be found at http://www.mugwumps.com.

Buckbee (1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their peghead shape. Banjos with pegheads like that shown in the first picture below are usually made by Buckbee.

Rettberg & Lange (1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made banjos, not surprising since they bought out the Buckbee factory in 1898. Most of their later banjos had elite tailpieces, Orpheum-like hardware, and long, thin heel footprints as shown below in the second row of pictures:

J. B. Schall (1878-1907) manufactured many unmarked banjos for teachers who sold them to students, some of which are tagged with the name of the teacher or distributor. Schall hardware is pretty unique and the fifth string peg perch is typically carved out from the side of the neck as shown in the third row of pictures below:

Ebonies headstock, mechanical friction pegs. Information from research: original Kirchner unique tailpiece with patent date of, lyon and hEaly makers - Chicago. Please See pictures for condition details. Neck joint is tight. It has been well cared for and new strings is in playing shape. This banjo is in Excellent condition. A Guide to Dating Lyon & Healy 'Own Make' Instruments. This list is based on an information base of over 60 Lyon & Healy brass instruments which are engraved either 'Own Make' or 'Duplex/Own Make', from the establishment of the factory in 1896 until the largest known serial number.

From the hallowed halls of the New York Philharmonic to the Bolshoi Ballet, Lyon & Healy Harps is acclaimed throughout the world for its remarkable depth and clarity of sound, breathtaking designs, and rich heritage of quality craftsmanship. With 130 years of harpmaking experience, each hand-crafted pedal and lever harp is instilled with a legacy of superior woodcrafting and commitment to the development.

Lyon & Healy (1864-1940) made many grades of banjos in many styles, and many were left unmarked. Lyon & Healy routinely used talon or patent 1897 tailpieces (see fourth row of pictures below) on many of their unmarked banjos, and their better-grade offerings frequently had notched, rather than grooved stretcher bands even in the early 1890’s. The Lyon & Healy peghead shape used on most of their better banjos is also distinctive, with a small additional bump on either side of the top of the peghead (see last set of pictures below).

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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/98587 Henke - Posted - 11/07/2007: 14:20:18 Does anybody know anything about Lyon & Healy Banjos? Are they good, bad..anything. I am maybe buying one, and thouhgt it best to here the forums opinions. Thanks/ Henke. Take it easy, and if it´s easy chip arnold - Posted - 11/07/2007: 14:59:39 I've had several that were very basic, openback, mail order type banjos of 100 years ago. They were all good instruments on a par with Sears' Supertone, etc. I think they may have had fancier models but mine were basic. A nice 5 string will fetch $150-$300.00 on Ebay. Edit: I just looked at your home page and see that you play an FB54. I'd a whole lot rather have the L&H for old time music. It will probably have an 11' pot with a skin head. If it has mylar, you might think about skin. ********************** Take what is given Give what is taken Edited by - chip arnold on 11/07/2007 15:02:26 timmo_1949 - Posted - 11/07/2007: 19:45:19 I've rehabilitated a few Lyon & Healy banjos. L&H was a major Chicago instrument manufacturer. The company still exists but they only make harps. In the banjo heyday, they also made a line of banjos sold under the Washburn name. Anyway, they made a broad range of instruments from the $2 mail-order jobs to very exquisite presentation models. My experience is with the low end of the range but I find them to be reasonably well made and solid, just a cut below S.S. Stewart in my opinion but on a par with Bay State and much of the Buckbee output. They usually sell fairly cheaply on eBay but I think they are generally a good value for the money. Google 'Lyon & Healy' photos and you should find quite a few examples. Timmo http://savethebanjos.co Lyon And Healy Banjo Information List Henke - Posted - 11/08/2007: 06:06:51 Thanks for you help guys! One question tough; What is mylar? and the one im thinking of buying has calfskin. By the way, is it tricky to change the skin, I hope I dont need to do it on this one. Again, thanks. Take it easy, and if it´s easy BConk - Posted - 11/08/2007: 07:31:35 Henke - Mylar is the plastic material used to make modern banjo heads. It's been in use since at least the 60's. Prior to that, calfskin was the preferred material for the head - still is for some players. I own a Lyon & Healy 'Own Make' tenor now that I have set up with nylgut strings and play as a ukulele - I love that banjo - very well made with a great sound. black flag - Posted - 11/08/2007: 16:49:19 Lyon And Healy Chicago Lyon & Healy Banjo Value L&H made banjos well into the 20th century and the instruments in the upper range of their model line were well-designed and attractive. http://www.billsbanjos.com/index.htm