1919 Orpheum No 3 Special
1919 Orpheum No 3 Special. My first recollection of seeing an Orpheum No 3 Special 5-string banjo was 1920’s promotional photographs of Charlie Poole. His finger style 5-string banjo technique was recorded on over 60 sides and likely several million records sold. Not bad for a North Carolina moonshiner that invested a share of the profits in a fancy high grade banjo. Like most No 3 Specials I have seen, the neck is made of white holly wood with a 27” scale ebonized maple fretboard, with matching peghead overlay. The fretboard and peghead are filled with floral abalone inlay and the neck’s heel has decorative carving. The newer ABM planetary tuners and a Schaller 5th help you keep the steel strings in tune. The rim is maple with outer veneers of Holly to match the neck. Set up with an 11-1/8” Remo Fiberskyn head, this banjo is snappy and bright. Though not Charlie Poole’s personal banjo, it will enable you to appropriately play his hits like Milwaukee Blues, Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down, and my personal favorite; Baltimore Fire. Only $3,000 for this nicely decorated time machine that is in very good to excellent condition.