1880’s Child’s Size Flush-Fret Fretless Banjo
1880’s Child’s Size Flush-Fret Fretless Banjo. This one has a slightly crude, slightly professional look to the build. Likely made when banjo standards had not been solidified. The neck is walnut with maple decoration. I particularly like the clover on the back of the peghead at the neck/peghead transition. The Brazilian rosewood veneer fingerboard has inlaid lines that I believe are supposed to be fret positions. Unfortunately, they were not cut with mathematical precision. Depending where you put the bridge, only one flush fret can be in tune at any one time. Good thing you don’t need to rely on them to play in tune! The roughly 7-3/4” rim is made of 1/16” nickel plated steel. All hooks, nuts, and shoes appear original and all are present. The ebony tailpiece and ebony tuning pegs, with octagonal buttons, were crafted in the SFI shop. We strung this with LaBella gut banjo strings, back when you could get them. Easy to play and a surprising mellow tone for a small steel rim. Price is $800 and we include a gigbag.