1880’s Pony Size Buckbee Style fretless 5-string
1880’s Pony Size Buckbee Style fretless 5-string. Another New York City school 5-string banjo has popped out of the SFI closets and is ready to grace your home, office or beach cabaña with it’s 140-year-old vibe. The total length of this instrument is 26” making it a good travel size banjo. The neck is walnut and has a roughly 18” scale fret spacing scratched into the fingerboard. The new ebony tuning pegs frit very well in the bushed peg holes. The “not exactly round” rim is about 7-3/4” in diameter and has 10 brackets. The shoes are in the shape of a shield. The bent hooks and square nuts are likely modern replacements. The rim is maple and has a worn nickel plated brass wrap on the outside. Other new parts include the handmade German silver tailpiece, strings (labella 17) and bridge. String height is about 11/32 where the neck and rim meet. Fun to play and the vintage skin head (maybe even original) helps with the old tone. $450 and shipping will get it to your home or office. Not sure if beach cabaña delivery is available via UPS.