TwoTrax - Posted - 01/17/2011:  19:43:17

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Here she is folks, one of the rarest birds around. Made in Dayton, Ohio in the heyday of banjodom, by Chas B. Rauch of the Dayton String Instrument Co. 143 Apple Street. This one is #347. It is the earliest known banjo type instrument as well as the only confirmed plectrum from him to date. This is heavy equipment in the music world. She has a voice like no other. I'd like to hear what everyone thinks of this rare look into the past. All comments welcomed. We believe the head was installed on December 7 1933 by Joe Thompson of Covington, OH. Joe Thompson was head of the famous Rogers Drum co., where many of the banjo heads came from.

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Edited by - TwoTrax on 04/26/2011 02:38:59

Plectrum Banjo by Chas B Rauch

Slingerland - Posted - 01/17/2011:  20:52:15

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Tim-

This is truly a rare example of the work of Chas. B. Rauch. This is the only Dayton banjo that has thus far surfaced, that does not have a block rim. The rim features Rauch's typical tonering and patented neck assembly. The thick 11 1/4'' rim is wonderfully constructed.

To restate the above points- this is the earliest known Dayton banjo to surface, it is the only plectrum, and it is the only banjo type Dayton instrument to not have a block rim.

All of your contributions the Dayton project are greatly appreciated. For those of you who do not know, there is a project to document known Dayton instruments. Here is the list thus far. Only instruments with serial numbers are listed. If anyone has other instruments they wish to share, please do not hesitate to do so.

4 Mandolin Mark Foucht
37 Mandolin Gruhn Guitars
48 Mandolin Lowell Levinger
99 Guitar Phil Case (info)
138 Mandolin Phil Case
144 Mandolin Gruhn Guitars
301 Mandola Mandolincafe
347 Banjo-plectrum Tim Canuelle
384 Mandolin Mandolincafe
420 Banjo-Tenor Gary Schattl
589 Banjo-Mandolin eBay
590 Banjo-Guitar Lowell Levinger
595 Banjo-5 string Jim Bollman (info)
739 Banjo-Mandolin eBay
809 Banjo-5 string Lowell Levinger
886 Banjo-Rim Phil Case
896 Banjo-5 string Dave Ball
971 Banjo-Tenor Dennis Dodie
989 Banjo-Mandolin Banjo Hangout
1046 Mandola Mandolincafe
1124 Mandolin Lowell Levinger
1125 Mandolin Lowell Levinger
1134 Mandolin Phil Case
1506 Banjo-Mandolin Lowell Levinger
1727 Banjo-Ukulele Eagle Music Shop
1842 Banjo-Tenor eBay
3072 Banjo-Ukulele Paul Dolce
3103 Mandola Phil Case

This is truly an instrument to treasure. I am thrilled that it is in good hands!

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Edited by - Slingerland on 01/17/2011 20:53:33

NYCJazz - Posted - 01/18/2011:  06:13:04

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No tone ring?

Slingerland - Posted - 01/18/2011:  06:24:33

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The banjo's rim has a groove at the top and a heavy metal ring is set into it. It is not like a typical rolled brass ring. It is much heavier and is flat. Tim will be able to elaborate on the chemical makeup of the tonering and will be able to describe it more accurately.

beezaboy - Posted - 01/18/2011:  06:26:21

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Tim: Congrats securing a historic banjo. I'm with you. Know how it feels.

I've hesitated on joining the Dayton thread because my response is so
lame but I really like them. They were quite well made and very interesting.
I owned one in the eighties but it got sold with others as my life turned left.

All I ever did was photograph it. Here are photos of the photos (lame).
This one must have come from factory #2.
Peghead with "The Dayton" inlay.
Neck was a little skinny as I recall.

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Edited by - beezaboy on 01/18/2011 06:28:55

"The Dayton"

"The Dayton"

Slingerland - Posted - 01/18/2011:  06:31:29

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Great looking banjo, John. You don't happen to remember the serial number or if the label said "Dayton String Instrument Co." or "Chas. B. Rauch"?

I think Tim and I are in agreement that there probably was no other factory and that the Sioux City, IA address was at most a sales department.

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Edited by - Slingerland on 01/18/2011 06:32:26

USELESSWALI - Posted - 01/18/2011:  07:08:15

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no comment

Slingerland - Posted - 01/18/2011:  07:10:15

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Insightful as always...

beezaboy - Posted - 01/18/2011:  11:07:06

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Paul:
I did not keep any details about The Dayton.
That's why I have not joined the Dayton historical group.
All I have is the two photos front and back.

Slingerland - Posted - 01/18/2011:  11:15:08

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Thanks, John. I figured as much, but thought I'd ask anyway.

TwoTrax - Posted - 01/18/2011:  11:25:21

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quote:

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Originally posted by NYCJazz

No tone ring?

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Nathan,

It's tone ring is as Paul described. It is made of steel and then galvanized. It weighs over 2 pounds. There is a notch routed into the rim where the ring sits. It's strung with GHS 190 and is standard tuned CGBD.

Tim

Here's a pic of it;

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Edited by - TwoTrax on 01/19/2011 11:01:33

Slingerland - Posted - 01/18/2011:  11:28:22

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Wow, Tim. That's even heavier than I was thinking!

TwoTrax - Posted - 01/18/2011:  11:34:16

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quote:

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Originally posted by beezaboy

Tim: Congrats securing a historic banjo. I'm with you. Know how it feels.

I've hesitated on joining the Dayton thread because my response is so
lame but I really like them. They were quite well made and very interesting.
I owned one in the eighties but it got sold with others as my life turned left.

All I ever did was photograph it. Here are photos of the photos (lame).
This one must have come from factory #2.
Peghead with "The Dayton" inlay.
Neck was a little skinny as I recall.

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Thanks John. Your contributions are always welcome and insightful, not lame. As for factory #2, we're not even sure one ever existed. It seems every instrument to date has been made on Apple Street in Dayton. The Sioux City, Iowa address was most likely a sales office only. The peg head on this plectrum is atypical for a Rauch banjo, as well as the non block rim and a tension hoop with a groove, not holes. The Peg Head shape on the one you pictured is the Typical Banjo shape.

Tim

TwoTrax - Posted - 01/18/2011:  11:38:20

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quote:

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Originally posted by USELESSWALI




no comment

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Then why bother? The exit was only a click away. What's really on your mind?