Azsongsinger - Posted - 03/25/2026:  22:14:56

I've had it for years. Bought it at a music store where it was on consignment. Didn't know what to ask so I didn't. Recognized the SS Stewart and loved the sound. Thought I'd see if I can find out anything about this banjo after many years of knowing nothing about it.  If the photos didn't upload I'm not sure how to get them out there. Thanks.

Edited by - Azsongsinger on 03/25/2026 22:16:28

 

Bill Rogers - Posted - 03/25/2026:  23:02:13

As you apparently surmise, it’s branded S S Stewart, but it’s not remotely SSS-made. Maybe Lange; maybe another NY maker. Someone else will have a better idea.

deke46 - Posted - 03/26/2026:  04:12:10

Puntolillo I think.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 03/26/2026:  04:27:26

quote:

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Originally posted by deke46

Puntolillo I think.

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This.

Made as private label for Buegeleisen & Jacobson a music jobber who then owned/used S. S. Stewart as a brand.

This one looks to have started life as a plectrum banjo and had part of the neck shaved down and a 5th string added.

Alvin Conder - Posted - 03/26/2026:  04:34:48

Puntolillo based on the pot. Now, who ever made Puntolillo, I have no idea. I had a similar ersatz Stewart that was converted to a five string from a plectrum many years ago. Actually sounded pretty decent.

Years after I had it I saw the exact same banjo, disassembled and parted out into multiple EBay ads. Kind of made me a bit sad…

OldFrets - Posted - 03/26/2026:  05:11:20

Gaetano Puntolillo made Puntolillo, or at least his workshop did. Some parts, such as the resonators on his later banjos, appear to have come from Lange, but the rims and necks appear to be entirely of Puntolillo's making.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 03/26/2026:  05:22:40

Gaetano Francesco “Thomas” Puntolillo's own brand of musical instruments was Majestic. He also was a subcontractor for Buegeleisen & Jacobson and made banjos for them under their ownership of the S.S. Stewart brand name.



Here is a snapshot of the history of Puntolillo and his instruments.

majesticguitars.co/history-of-majestic/



Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

DSmoke - Posted - 03/26/2026:  07:13:31

quote:

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Originally posted by OldFrets

Gaetano Puntolillo made Puntolillo, or at least his workshop did. Some parts, such as the resonators on his later banjos, appear to have come from Lange, but the rims and necks appear to be entirely of Puntolillo's making.

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After buying, selling, and working on many Puntolillo banjos the past couple of years, I believe most, if not all, necks were made by Lange and Weymann. I believe Puntolillo made the rims and resonators though.

OldFrets - Posted - 03/26/2026:  07:33:41

The Puntolillo necks I've seen were lower quality than anything I've seen come out of Lange, and I haven't seen anything that resembles a Weymann. I could believe that they built the resonators with the curved flange that covers the front, but some of the more conventional ones are straight off the Paramount line.

I'll certainly agree that they're a bit of a hodge-podge with some kind of connection to Lange.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 03/26/2026:  08:20:07

New York builders were sharing suppliers, but if one looks closely (and considers that master joiners typically had similar skills) there are distinct differences.

One long held belief is that Farland was having Lange make his banjos. This did not add up to me because they are pretty unique, esp with the heel shape and carving. And I happen to have a personal letter written to Lonnie B. Hayes by Alfred Farland that has some compelling info that Farland did have his own shop, with craftsman, making the banjos (and strings).

I think people have been distracted by the fact that many of these New York builders all used inlays, peghead overlays, wood, and marquetry purfling, from the same supplier.

DSmoke - Posted - 03/26/2026:  10:27:34

quote:

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Originally posted by OldFrets

The Puntolillo necks I've seen were lower quality than anything I've seen come out of Lange, and I haven't seen anything that resembles a Weymann. I could believe that they built the resonators with the curved flange that covers the front, but some of the more conventional ones are straight off the Paramount line.



I'll certainly agree that they're a bit of a hodge-podge with some kind of connection to Lange.

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Nobody believes me when I tell them Weymann made necks for Majestics. I have worked on enough of both of them to be certain. It is easy to tell when you remove the neck from the rim and look at the heel and construction. They are built exactly like the Orchestra line. I am talking higher end Majestics. I was relieved when this banjo was for sale recently proving the connection between Weymann and Puntolillo.