-40%
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham
Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham

Early Fancy George P Matthew 5 String Banjo Birmingham

$ 527.47

Availability: 63 in stock
  • Brand: Matthew
  • Modified Item: No
  • Condition: see description text
  • Custom Bundle: No
  • Number of Strings: 5

    Description

    Note :  I had to relist this item because Ebay has changed the way they handle shipping entries. The shipping cost was not showing up.  I added a flat fee for shipping. If it costs more than that I will pay the excess.  -Thanks
    Description
    - This is an early 5 string string open back banjo.  It was made by George P Matthew in Birmingham England around the 1890s to 1900s period.  It has 30 J hooks on the tone ring. The top tuners are friction style and appear to be hand carved bone. The 5th string tuner is different. There are 18 frets. The frets show some wear but not a significant amount. The inlay is mother of pearl. The metal pot of the banjo is engraved. The neck is about 1 1/8" at the nut. The neck appears to be walnut. Currently has nylon strings on it. The back has a plate engraved 'GEO P MATTHEW MAKER'. There is a phenolic badge riveted to the back that reads 'MAKER GEO P MATTHEW BIRMINGHAM ' it is hard to read unless the light is just right.  You can probably upgrade to geared tuners but it would be a shame to get rid of the carved pegs as they give the banjo a lot of character.  Note: no case is included.
    Ask any questions before auction end date.
    Condition
    - Condition seems excellent considering its over 100 years old. We took it to a banjo repair shop and they said it is playable as is.  There is a small chip by the 5 mother of pearl dots near end of neck. The fretboard has a few old small dents and there is some wear/scratches on the headstock. The 5th string tuner may have been replaced, it appears it mays have some glue around where it is pressed in.
    Ask any questions before auction end date.
    Guarantee
    - Buyer has 14 days to return item for full money back refund for any reason. Buyer should notify seller of the return and the buyer is expected to pay return postage and insurance. Item must be returned in the same condition that it was sent in or no refund will be issued.