bargrasspicker - Posted - 06/01/2013:  15:26:16

I just won this old banjo at auction, they claim its from 1867. The tail peice doesnt look right to me but the rest of it does.

What do the experts think?

idea of value?

jbalch - Posted - 06/01/2013:  16:37:01

Linking this to the H.C. Dobson group.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 06/01/2013:  17:07:01

You are correct about the tailpiece, the original likely destroyed by wire strings.

The banjo may or may not be that early.  This concept was tried by that family in various versions until they gave up on it and sold the patent and rights to Martin guitars (no.. not that Martin, a different one).  Ads for the patent closed back banjos show up through the 1880s then vanish.

There are craftsmanship elements that are very early Buckbee ish and it is possible that they were built in that factory.

The design then shows up on the other side of the pond with guitar tuners as the "improved zither banjo."

Cool find, though they tend not to sound very good.  I hope you did not pay too much for it.

Is yours stamped with a name?  There are some floating around that are unmarked.  It is unlikely that a Dobson ever sold anything that they did not put their name on, including other peoples music.

bargrasspicker - Posted - 06/01/2013:  17:16:28

stamped henry c. dobson marked 1867

rcmoore - Posted - 06/01/2013:  17:26:13

There was a recent discussion on this forum about an Ebay Dobson. Not sure if it was the one you got.  ebay.com/itm/Henry-C-Dobson-5-...908255800

Bob Moore

bargrasspicker - Posted - 06/01/2013:  17:36:52

No i got this at an estate auction online. 220. It plays holds a tune has nylgut strings

rcmoore - Posted - 06/01/2013:  21:11:11

Here is a link to the BHO discussion I referenced in case you are interested:  banjohangout.org/topic/262671

Bob Moore

GerryH - Posted - 06/02/2013:  04:16:10

Congrats on your H.C. Dobson. I've owned several and they are wonderful instruments. FYI- there is a H.C. Dobson at retrofret.com that looks similar to yours. It has been for sale for a quite a while so that may indicate the price they have for it is high. Again, congratulations for owning a banjo from a historic maker of banjos.
GerryH

GerryH - Posted - 06/02/2013:  04:16:37

Congrats on your H.C. Dobson. I've owned several and they are wonderful instruments. FYI- there is a H.C. Dobson at retrofret.com that looks similar to yours. It has been for sale for a quite a while so that may indicate the price they have for it is high. Again, congratulations for owning a banjo from a historic maker of banjos.
GerryH

swspyder - Posted - 06/02/2013:  12:47:17

Google Billsbanjos for a more ornate version of your banjo.It looks to have an original tailpiece.Looks similar to  what Cubley was using,but there are many with a heck of alot more knowledge than me.I'd like to hear their answers as well.

bargrasspicker - Posted - 06/02/2013:  21:09:52

thanks for the info! i'll post more pics and some audio when i get it playing. Any idea where I could get an orginal tailpeice or a suitable replacement?

swspyder - Posted - 06/03/2013:  15:11:03

Google mugwumps banjo tailpiece. Maybe it's there Copy enlarge-maybe make it yourself,If one of theses even comes up for sale-ever.It would be more than 1/2 the price that you paid for the banjo.

You might just have to go with a period correct tailpiece.One that the owner would have used to replace the original.

Run an ad here.Lots of us have old tailpieces I suspect.

Bernunzio always has a few vintage tailpieces.

rcmoore - Posted - 06/03/2013:  16:04:52

I'm not sure if the one in the referenced Ebay Dobson is original; but it sure looks like a correct period tailpiece.  Take a look at picture number 10.  But lots of luck in finding one like that.

Bob Moore

ebay.com/itm/Henry-C-Dobson-5-...908255800

bargrasspicker - Posted - 06/03/2013:  16:07:44

that looks like the other dobsons ive been finding online, i be thats orgininal, im going to look hard for it, might have it made eventually. anyone out there selling one, make me an offer!

GerryH - Posted - 06/05/2013:  13:11:41

If you go to mugwumps.com and click on Classified Ads, then banjos, then vintage parts, then tailpieces, I think the Cubley tailpiece he has is pretty close to the one on your Dobson. It is pricey but it is vintage.

GerryH

Edited by - GerryH on 06/05/2013 13:12:18

bargrasspicker - Posted - 06/05/2013:  13:31:13

nice, ill be paying more for the tailpeice than the banjo! lol

swspyder - Posted - 06/07/2013:  08:00:10

Well, at least you know the high end for those tailpieces.I have just about all of those advertised,and the ones that weren't attached to a banjo cost me about half the asking price of those.By the way I paid asking price on mine.Keep looking,and then jump when you find one.I don't want to spoil things,but the answer to the unanswered question is-no.My Cubley is attached to a Cubley banjo

Good Luck.

bargrasspicker - Posted - 06/07/2013:  12:30:22

thanks! I found a guy who makes suitable replacements,for way less money, that will give me many years to find one as i dont plan on getting rid of this old jo anytime soon. thanks!