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BTuno - Posted - 01/09/2013: 11:18:48
I just acquired an HC Dobson 5-string. 11" rim, Dobson tone ring. I can only see the number "8 " stamped on the top of the dowel stick, the bottom has the Dobson, Maker, NY stamp and patent stamps. I'll post more photos as I get it cleaned up a bit.
My questions for now are: 1) Is there a list of HC Dobson serial numbers around? Nothing came up on a Google search. 2) I'm gonna need some hooks and nuts, any help, leads, would be appreciated (see photo).
mbanza - Posted - 01/09/2013: 11:57:09
How many hooks/nuts?
mogi - Posted - 01/09/2013: 12:00:12
Congratulations on your Dobson acquisition. Those are cool banjos. For vintage replacement hooks and nuts try Bob Smakula smakula.com. Send him your photo and he might have some parts that match.
oldtimer - Posted - 01/09/2013: 13:09:52
I need two hooks and nuts for my Silver Belle. Two of them broke when I removed them.
stay tooned...
Glenn Godsey
David McLaughlin - Posted - 01/09/2013: 13:39:55
There is no known or published serial number list. Most of the early Silver Bells have one or two numbers stamped onto their various parts. Sometimes those numbers are followed by letters. They appear to be only in-shop numbers for matching up parts while being finished and assembled at Henry C.'s studio workshop, since they are often stamped into the rim, neck, tone ring, tension hoop, and fingerboard strike-plate. The later Silver bells generally have a series of 3, 4, 5, or 6 numbers on the dowel stick only. They may be serial numbers, but it is still difficult to age the banjo by the numbers alone, since they seem to make little sense. As I log each Silver Bell banjo I study, I'm trying to make sense of it all. So far, the best way to age the banjo is by parts, assembly methods, varnish used, diameter of the rim (later ones generally being slightly smaller diameter than 11"), etc.
R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 01/09/2013: 15:51:31
What I would give for 5 of these same ones! Not easy to find...Any additional pics Bruce?
wbelm - Posted - 01/09/2013: 16:20:23
If you are in need of some banjo nut, you have come to the right place......banjos.....Heard one, you've heard 'em all.
BTuno - Posted - 01/09/2013: 16:35:47
Thanks to all you 'banjo nuts' for the input and leads. I'll get photos, dimensions as soon as I can, but may be a few days.
