With a tinge of reluctance, we offer this absolutely lovely old banjo made by William H. Dewick of Brooklyn, NY somewhere around 1920. This one has everything going for it. It is beautifully constructed, sounds great and plays easily. Dewick was a respected music teacher and instrument maker from the 1890s to the 1920s, known mostly for his banjo-mandolins and tenor banjos, but he made just a few 5-string banjos as well. During his era, he developed a reputation for quality craftsmanship, innovation designs with many pending patents, and above all, top-notch tone. This banjo is no exception. It features a metal-clad maple pot with 24 brackets, and an intricately carved dowel-stick with wood overlays and name plate. The Mahogany neck has a soft "V" neck profile and features his signature multi-layered wood decorative extension at the bottom of the neck with matching woods at the heel. The fingerboard appears to be dark Ebony with decorative MOP inlay and there are dot and star inlays at the Rosewood headstock overlay. This banjo is in very good vintage condition with some expected tarnish on metal parts, some play-wear to the plastic head and other minor marks for use. The neck is straight with just a little relief, and the action is appropriate and comfortable and the tone is clear and bell-like, with plenty of extra punch when needed. The tuning machines have been replaced and many of the brackets appear to have been replaced, but the instrument appears otherwise all original. If you have been looking for a great old banjo with character and tone for your clawhammer playing, you just found it!
The banjo will be shipped in a modern hard shell banjo case.