So, what makes this a "minstrel banjo"?

And why is that a minstrel banjo more so than this?
 

I thought the banjo was interesting until I saw the Remo logo on the head.

Bob Smakula

Provenance beyond poorly informed guesswork would be helpful.

It is pretty obvious that the "inexplicable" holes are the original friction peg holes for the second and third strings and that the guitar tuners have been added at some later time (though perhaps not that later).

These unique banjos often make me wonder if they were not a product of some "mechanic" with time on their hands and the idea that they could make something better than store bought.

The plastic head does not offend me that much, but the bridge feels egregous to me.

The hook shoes are interesting. They're bolted to the rim but also have a little tab that extends under the bottom edge. The bottom edge of the rim is notched for each shoe tab. Never seen that before.

Looks like a well executed instrument by someone who knew what they were doing. Condition is excellent, esp if it is truly a 19th C build. Nice case!

As normal, the head and bridge are easily changed. I think the asking price is ~$3k too high.

I think this thing is super cool but Retrofret (as always) is so top of the market it makes me wonder (as always) how they ever sell anything!

Don’t get me wrong, it is pretty cool and does look well made, and it was very likely used in minstrelsy (professional or amateur), but so were ukuleles, tenor banjos and arch top guitars.

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

 

These unique banjos often make me wonder if they were not a product of some "mechanic" with time on their hands and the idea that they could make something better than store bought.

Definitely... banjos, more than many other instruments, seem to attract the inveterate tinkerer. I have worked on many home-built/modified banjos with added features that obviously took a lot of time, and are often very well done, but are completely inscrutable to anyone but the responsible party.

Add in the fact that having such items custom made locally (or making them yourself) was far more common back then than it is now.

I agree that it likely started with friction pegs, hence the "inexplicable" holes and the creative mounting of the 5th string tuner.

Agreed about the tuner conversion. A lot of those old banjos have had a colorful history of repairs. Here's one that may also have been converted from violin pegs to patent tuners.

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The plastic head does not offend me that much, but the bridge feels egregous to me.

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When somebody that's supposed to be a world-class purveyor of fine antique instruments sets up a gut/synthetic-strung banjo with an ebony-capped bridge, something ain't quite right.  No particular shade on Retro Fret!  I've seen most of them do it pretty regularly.   

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Originally posted by Dan Gellert

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The plastic head does not offend me that much, but the bridge feels egregous to me.

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When somebody that's supposed to be a world-class purveyor of fine antique instruments sets up a gut/synthetic-strung banjo with an ebony-capped bridge, something ain't quite right.  No particular shade on Retro Fret!  I've seen most of them do it pretty regularly.   

 

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Most of the supposedly world-class purveyors of banjos know relatively little about what they sell. 

How does seller know made in U.S. ?

Second, if legitimately 150 yrs old, and hacked away at some time in its existence, then it's "folk art"...

...or it's a convincing modern day counterfeit joke - commonly seen in the art world and "antique" furniture.

Plus, skeptically patched together "homemade" tailpiece. And, at least the "maker/hacker" used slot head brass screws - not phillips head. 

Quite apt as decor in a Montana's restaurant.

I love that brass fingerboard. This would be a fun banjo to play.

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Originally posted by banjoT1

How does seller know made in U.S. ?

A broken watch is correct twice a day.  This banjo generally looks of the construction methods seen on banjos made in North America during the latter half of the 19th century.  And while there is no way to be certain where or exactly when it was made, there are several folks that are able to make reliable educated guesses. 

Second, if legitimately 150 yrs old, and hacked away at some time in its existence, then it's "folk art"...

My opinion is that whoever made it played it for a little while and then decided to "improve" it with guitar machines cut down.  This is not that uncommon a change. Everything is "folk art" and nothing is "folk art".

...or it's a convincing modern day counterfeit joke - commonly seen in the art world and "antique" furniture.

Unlikely.  Even the VERY BEST modern built replicas are not 100%.  There are always things that can be found that are not quite right (i.e. the "whalebone banjo").  This example looks to have been made by hands and tools that would have all the experience of a last half 19th century joiner.

Plus, skeptically patched together "homemade" tailpiece. And, at least the "maker/hacker" used slot head brass screws - not phillips head. 

Also common repairs or fabrications, as common as these things go. 

Quite apt as decor in a Montana's restaurant.

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See in red