Our Banjo
My wife and I were
talking the other day – one of those rare days when we were able to be alone
without the little ones (9, 4 and 3) that we had after being married some 10
years. We are in our late 30s and were
talking about different things…one of which was maybe having a few instruments
that we could learn to play with the kids. She is the musical one in the family, I wasn’t
so inclined, but have always enjoyed
music especially folk, celtic, and tradition-based
music. Well, we go to visit her folks
and out of the closet literally comes this 4-peg, 22
fret, beautiful banjo. But, being
completely new to banjos, there are a few questions we have – so, we found www.banjohangout.org and hope that some
of its members can help us “newbies” with returning this
to its full glory. Also, I should note,
that unfortunately for me – there is no relationship to Bella Fleck – boy I
wish we had some of her talents! ;-)
Our Resources:
· Two adults, three kids
with an interest;
· Some funds;
· A few friends who are
blue-grass musicians that we might be able to ask for help; and
· The internet.
Our new banjo:
· We believe it to be a
piece owned by a great uncle who lived and taught at the UW – but not in music;
· Maker: Rettberge &
Lange of
· Model: Orpheum No. 1 – 22 frets;
· Drum: Maple – appears solid with one seam – with an
open back;
· Pegs: 4 – celluloid
· Neck: Fretboard is 19 ¾”
to the bridge; inlaid with six white dots between 6th and 7th;
9th and 10th; 11th and 12th; 14th
and 15th; 16th
and 17th; 18th and 19th. There is written in a light reddish color
under the bridge D-B-G.
· Head: A very old repair had been made to the head
that is signed/stamped – Jos. B. Rogers, Jr. – Union Brand Warranted.
· Hooks/Shoes: 24
· Bridge: Stamped Orpheum
· Tailpiece: No knot style tail piece with five anchors.
Pictures of things described
above
Our initial questions – so far:
· Is this in fact a Plectrum
banjo? Or a four-string wanting to be
five??
· Cleaning – not the
pegs I am aware of issues with celluloid – is there a good thing to us on the
fret board, head, and the maple itself?
· Strings – we have some
that were in the case – but heaven knows the age and
whether they are the ones that should be used. Assuming they are “too old” any
recommendations on strings for this? Again,
we have a friend who can help us on this.
· Does the head need to
be replaced? It was repaired and sounds “good”
to my wife and I when it is lightly tapped…no hollow or vibration sound. You can
see the repair in this picture.
· What is a good beginner’s
book to learn more about this instrument and learning how to play it?? I should say, is there a “Beginning Banjo for Dummies??”
J