Banjos      

DB - 00809 ca. 1912 "The Dayton" 5 string Banjo     EXC+   Here's another one from my personal collection that has been a 'keeper' for many years. In beautiful condition and with the unique metal head which gives it a distinctive deep sound. You can hear it in the video clip below. Laminated walnut and mahogany 5/8ths inch thick 11 3/4" rim with 28 brackets, one of which is missing. 26 1/2" scale length and an extended fingerboard giving it 26 frets. Attractive fretboard inlays and "The Dayton" inlaid on the peghead . Straight mahogany neck with good frets. Fricton tuning pegs function well. (loosen the screw, tune it a bit sharp, tighten the screw and adjust to pitch). The label is in fine shape with serial #809. NoKnot tailpiece. Chipboard case.
Price: $2250.00

UK - 0003 1920's Fancy No Name Banjo Uke     EXC +   What a cutie this is. And it is in splendid condition. The fancy cutouts in the metal clad rim are exquisite and there is a big metal tone ring that gives it a big but mellow tone. The two tiny screw holes in the head stock and the oval shadow indicate that there was once an oval placque residing there as is typical of British instruments. The original tuning pegs have a screw adjustment that allows quick and slip proof tuning. The mahogany resonator has a large knurled screw for quick easy removal. Some fancy inlays on the fingerboard. Orginal bridge and tailpiece . Chipboard case . Rim = 7 1/2"   Scale Length = 13 1/4"   Nut Width = 1 1/4".  
Price:   $1350.00

GB - 00035 1935 Kel Kroyden (by Gibson) Conversion     VG++   Here's the real deal and you can hear it in the tone. You got your one piece flange full thickness rim same as a Mastertone without a tone ring. The flange is a Nashville Plating Co. replacement since the old one (included) was broken. And we had Larry Cohea install a Mc Peake flat head tone ring and a second co-ordinator rod (the KK rim is originally drilled for it but has only one installed) as well as a nice Wreath Pattern five string neck and then set it up perfectly with spikes at frets 7,8,9, and 10. It plays beautifully and sounds incredible. Gibson script on the headstock and Planet tuning pegs and the fabulous M.O.T. resonator with original lugs. Original case and tenor neck with original pegs, flange (and broken pieces), and brass rod 'tone ring' are available if you so desire.
Price:   $5850.00

VB 00032 1928 Vega Style N 5 String Conversion     EXC -   This is a wonderful player as well as a beautiful piece of art. The 10 15/16" head is graced with a lovely, whimsical art deco illustration of two frolicking nudes. It has the simple "rolled over" tone ring. The bottom of the metal pot cladding sits in a ledge that locates the cladding precisely on the pot. The rolled-over tone ring doesn't sit on wood, but is held a little less than a millimeter above the wood of the pot, so the simple tone ring doesn't touch wood. All the hardware is original and in good shape including the No Knot Tailpiece. There are a few nicks and scratches on the rim but nothing major. It has the original dowel stick and the serial numbers match on the dowel and the rim.   (87793)   The 26 1/2" scale length neck is mint and appears to be the work of Wyatt Fawley. Simple (and proper) star on the headstock and Planet style tuning pegs. Here's a video clip of it:

Nice newer hard shell 'bump' case. Price:   $3750.00.00

EB - 0007 Mid teens Clifford Essex 5 String Banjo     EXC   With its 11 inch rim spunover what looks like mahogany and a simple hoop tonering and nice skin head, this old feller gets a mighty sweet old timey sound. Scale Length is 26 3/4" and the nut width is 1 3/16" and the mahogany neck shows wear on the back and is very comfortable to play. Ebony fingerboard has lovely abalone and pearl inlays in it as does the headstock. The tuning pegs work fine. All parts appear original and match nicely and the 15a Grafton Street label proudly graces the dowel stick. Oversize chipboard case.
Price:   $1195.00    SOLD

BU - 0004 ca. 1935 John Grey Banjo Uke     EXC   Very nice little banjo uke from the esteemed English maker John Grey. Birds eye maple back and blue striped maple sides.   10 1/4" head and 13 1/4" scale length. Maple rim and mahogany neck and dowel.   Resonator attaches with a single thumb knob. There is a dark grain line that definitely is not a crack in the heel of which we have large pictures. The letters R B E are stamped into the bottom of the heel. Friction tuning pegs with the number 13797 stamped into the back of the peghead. John Grey& Sons, London on the headstock. The piano shaped case is unique.
Price:   $795.00

To contact Players Vintage Instruments, e-mail us at info@vintageinstruments.com
Or telephone:  415-669-1107   West Coast Time
Or write to: Box 445, Inverness, Ca. 94937
**email is best by far**
Lowell Levinger - Proprietor