I've just bought a banjo, and would like to get some info on it (I bought it second hand). It's a Washburn B-101, serial no. 8184 - I've searched the net but can't find any info meself - please help!
WASHBURN
George B. Durkee, superintendent of the huge Lyon & Healy’ factory in Chicago,
Illinois, was the designer of the "Washburn" banjos, mandolins and guitars made and
sold by this company. Manufacture of banjos appears to have been started round
about 1880 and one writer has said "they let S. S. Stewart do all the donkey work
before they started making banjos which, at first, were copies of Stewart’s range.".
In January 1915 they advertised "The New Improved Washburn Banjo (Patented)"
which they described as “the latest thing in banjo construction". This instrument
incorporated patents taken out by William D. Bowen who sold the manufacturing
rights to Lyon & Healy.
It is interesting to note that this Amercan firm made zither-banjos (probably
especially for export to the U. K.) as some were advertised in the “for sale" columns
of the fretted instrument press of the day and time S. A. Halfpenny (the noted English
Zither-banjo virtuoso) played a Lyon & Healy instrument.
At one time, Lyon & Healy stressed the fact that every part of the “Washburn" banjos-
brackets, pegs, rims, fingerboards, etc. - was their own make.
In March 1922 they were offering the patented "Van Eps Recording Banjo" - "with the
internal resonator and outward-curved dowel or cross-piece" but made it clear they
were only the distributors and not the makers.
They appear to have ceased making banjos during the depression of 1929 and there
is no evidence that they have resumed manufacture. (1967)
It sounds like you have one of the modern Washburns which are made in Asia and not a vintage instrument. Is it a tenor, plectrum, or 5-string? Does it have a urethane finish, chrome fittings, and looks fairly new, or is it faded, nickel, with 1:1 tuners of the ukelele type, and a wooden dowel fitting the neck to the pot?
If it fits the first description it is a newer instrument, otherwise it is an older one. Most older banjos of any brand are student models and tend to have no tone ring or a simple hoop for a tone ring.
The newer Washburns are made in the same factories and style as many other brands like epiphone, saga, Fender, Aria and other budget-guitarmakers. They are okay, but will not be worth the world.
I've been trying to emulate Finbar Furey's 5-string banjo playing for Sweet Sixteen and can't quite get it right.
Does anyone have the 5-string tablature for it, or know where I can get it?
Banjo info!
Banjo info!
I've just bought a banjo, and would like to get some info on it (I bought it second hand). It's a Washburn B-101, serial no. 8184 - I've searched the net but can't find any info meself - please help!
/DADdyGADdy
# Posted on October 12th 2004 by DADdyGADdy
Re: Banjo info!
Excerpt from:
http://www.ukbanjo.com/abjo1.htm
WASHBURN
George B. Durkee, superintendent of the huge Lyon & Healy’ factory in Chicago,
Illinois, was the designer of the "Washburn" banjos, mandolins and guitars made and
sold by this company. Manufacture of banjos appears to have been started round
about 1880 and one writer has said "they let S. S. Stewart do all the donkey work
before they started making banjos which, at first, were copies of Stewart’s range.".
In January 1915 they advertised "The New Improved Washburn Banjo (Patented)"
which they described as “the latest thing in banjo construction". This instrument
incorporated patents taken out by William D. Bowen who sold the manufacturing
rights to Lyon & Healy.
It is interesting to note that this Amercan firm made zither-banjos (probably
especially for export to the U. K.) as some were advertised in the “for sale" columns
of the fretted instrument press of the day and time S. A. Halfpenny (the noted English
Zither-banjo virtuoso) played a Lyon & Healy instrument.
At one time, Lyon & Healy stressed the fact that every part of the “Washburn" banjos-
brackets, pegs, rims, fingerboards, etc. - was their own make.
In March 1922 they were offering the patented "Van Eps Recording Banjo" - "with the
internal resonator and outward-curved dowel or cross-piece" but made it clear they
were only the distributors and not the makers.
They appear to have ceased making banjos during the depression of 1929 and there
is no evidence that they have resumed manufacture. (1967)
# Posted on October 12th 2004 by c_ya
Re: Banjo info!
It sounds like you have one of the modern Washburns which are made in Asia and not a vintage instrument. Is it a tenor, plectrum, or 5-string? Does it have a urethane finish, chrome fittings, and looks fairly new, or is it faded, nickel, with 1:1 tuners of the ukelele type, and a wooden dowel fitting the neck to the pot?
If it fits the first description it is a newer instrument, otherwise it is an older one. Most older banjos of any brand are student models and tend to have no tone ring or a simple hoop for a tone ring.
Mike Keyes
# Posted on October 12th 2004 by mikeyes
Re: Banjo info!
I it Lars Kristensens old one?
The newer Washburns are made in the same factories and style as many other brands like epiphone, saga, Fender, Aria and other budget-guitarmakers. They are okay, but will not be worth the world.
Lars.
# Posted on October 12th 2004 by Larshansen
Banjo Tabs wanted.
I've been trying to emulate Finbar Furey's 5-string banjo playing for Sweet Sixteen and can't quite get it right.
Does anyone have the 5-string tablature for it, or know where I can get it?
Dave C.
# Posted on October 18th 2004 by Dave Cunningham