1880’s Child’s Size Buckbee Style fretless 5-string
1880’s Child’s Size Buckbee Style fretless 5-string. Without the JHB stamp, indicating the banjo was in fact made by John H. Buckbee, it is not for certain that this banjo was made in the Buckbee factory, but the odds definitely lean that way. At 21” long it is the smallest 5-string banjo in the shop. The neck is likely poplar, with a brown finish. The out of round rim has an average diameter of 6-15/16” and is made of maple and wrapped with nickel plated brass. There are 4 brackets and I believe the hooks and nuts are modern replacements. Other changes are new handmade maple tuning pegs, new maple dowelstick, a German silver tailpiece, and a set of gut strings. The string height is low, about 1/8” at the neck & rim connection, but still playable. The head has a small hole at the flesh hoop near the tailpiece. It has been that way for at least 25 years, so very likely stable and not going anywhere. Price for this 140 years (or so) example of musical history is $400.