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Banjo/Questions Answered by Expert Jim Ryan
| Subject | Date Asked |
| capo and 5th string spikes | 3/1/2012 |
| Q: I received a banjo for Christmas and recently had spikes put on the 5th string (I think the 2nd and ... A: Sorry for the slow reply, but I'm working in China until July and thus am working 13 hours ahead of ... | |
| Banjo Tuning | 6/27/2011 |
| Q: Just have a quick question and would be very grateful if you could help me out. I decided that I ... A: David, There are probably some tuners out there that are designed for guitar only, but in general ... | |
| Banjo Tuning | 6/25/2011 |
| Q: Just have a quick question and would be very grateful if you could help me out. I decided that I ... A: Very sorry for the delay in my response, but I've been traveling for a few days without convenient ... | |
| What is it?? | 2/20/2011 |
| Q: A stringed instrument was passed along to me when my father passed away 16 yrs ago. It belonged to ... A: From your description, it seems that you are in possession of a banjo-ukulele. These are not ... | |
| 1901 NO KNOT 4 String | 9/9/2010 |
| Q: Is this a brand of Banjo or is it a patent on the piece of hardware that the base of the strings ... A: Danny, "No Knot" is a patented type of banjo tailpiece. It is different from, say, a classical ... | |
| 8 string "the HB Star" | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: It looks like a banjo but has eight ivory pegs.The name says the HB star.I think this may have stood ... A: And thank you for the very nice additional photos of the instrument. It looks to be in great shape. ... | |
| Fairbanks banjos | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: My files show this to be a Special No.4 model with a 10 1/2" rim. It was in the New England area ... A: Nice to hear from you, and much thanks for the info, which I've passed along to the person who ... | |
| Stolen banjo | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I recently had a banjo stolen from me. Now I am stuck trying to file an insurance claim for ... A: Very sorry to hear about the banjo theft. If it's a four-string Banjo, that means it is a "tenor ... | |
| The Wonder 226 Banjo | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: I have a The Wonder 226 it has been passed down the family and I now want to sell it. It is dark ... A: What you've got is a banjo-mandolin. If memory serves, the Wonder is a British made instrument, ... | |
| 8 string banjo lin | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I have recently acquired a beautiful John Grey and Sons 8 string travel size banjo. It is clearly ... A: Good afternoon-- You've got an interesting and collectible instrument, but it is in fact a ... | |
| antique banjo-mandolin | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: I have what has been called a banjo-mandolin, but I can't find one like it anywhere. It has no ... A: Well, without seeing a photo of this instrument, it's kind of hard to know what it is. Especially ... | |
| Fairbanks banjo | 12/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a banjo that I want to sell & am trying yto determine a good selling price. The words "A.C. ... A: Fairbanks made very fine banjos in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and they are indeed quite ... | |
| Banjo | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: I bought a used banjo,its a 'Degas'(lower end model I think) and it came with a book 'Earl Scruggs ... A: Congratulations on your new banjo. I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but if it's in ... | |
| Appraisal price please | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: I have just inherited a 1920's Orpheum No2, 4 string Banjo and am wondering where to take it to get ... A: Good morning Sandy-- You have in hand a very nice-sounding but not extremely scarce banjo. If you ... | |
| Alfred Cammeyer | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a zither banjo manufactured by the above. The Serial Number is 5476 261 The banjo is in ... A: As far as I can tell, Cammeyer-labeled banjos were sold from 1900 to 1939. He was Brooklyn-born, ... | |
Jim Ryan
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I do NOT appraise banjos and so I can't give you a dollar valuation for your instrument. After all, the best thing to do with a nice banjo is to go ahead and play it. But I'm happy to discuss clawhammer (old-time) banjo set-up, recordings, musicianship, practice tips, repertoire.
Experience
Founding member of the Saugahatchee Ramblers string band
Education/Credentials
Ph.D. American Studies
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