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Hunting
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$1,150 plus $25 S&H
Converted from tenor to fretted 5-string using "wings" and a new, wider, walnut fingerboard and a brass-floored frailing scoop.
Needs to have medium to heavy strings due to scale length. Here's what's on it now:
0.030" wound 4th
0.023" wound 3rd
0.016" plain 2nd
0.012" plain for 1st & 5th.
This is my second, vintage Whyte Laydie conversion. I found that they sound best with moderately slack head and plenty of down-pressure on the bridge. This one has a Kerschner Unique (L&H) tenor tailpiece. I didn't pierce the tailpiece, but routed two of the strings through one hole.
MOP star inlay at the 5th fret. I set the scale length so that the bridge would be closer to the center of the head than the tenor setup.
13 frets, so if you like to play way up the neck, this banjo isn't for you.
Original friction-type pegs. Bracket band & cladding on pot are in good shape. I didn't polish the metal, just cleaned w/ soap & water so the dirt is gone but the "patina" remains.
Most hooks and nuts are original, a few vintage replacements.
DIMENSIONS:
Head dia. = 10 7/8 in., 28 hooks.
Scale length 19 3/4 in.
String span @ nut = 1 1/8 in
String span @ heel = 1 3/4 in.
Bridge = ~ 3/4 in. tall.
SETUP:
* action @ scoop = 3/8 in.
* action @ octave = 1/8 in.
FLAWS:
Dowel is somewhat scarred & has small holes, apparently from attachment of a resonator.
Uses original friction tuners....not really a flaw, but takes some getting used to if you've never used them. These are a little bit less precise than geared tuners, and take more attention than geared tuners. The banjo stays in tune.
Normal scuffing due to age. Overall the finish is in fair condition, finish is thin & wood is somewhat stained @ left hand position.
ON THE PLUS SIDE:
Has that unmistakeable, woody, Whyte Laydie tone, enough volume that I keep a mute stuffed in behind the dowel. Playability is very good, overall in good shape.
Ser. # 40075 means that it was probably manufactured in 1921, according to (according to www.whitetreeaz.com).
NOTE: Last year, someone at Clifftop told me "thank you" for not converting one Whyte Laydie tenor that I had in my booth. I took this to mean that this person disapproved of converting "good", old banjos from 4 to 5 string. It's true.... this converted banjo would take some work to restore back to tenor, but it is do-able and the neck and pot have been kept together. I figure that's better (and more affordable) than making a new neck & discarding the old neck, which is more the norm for 5-string conversions. Plus I really like the short scale length.
