H.C. Dobson 5 String Banjo (1880s), made in New York City, serial # 7403, natural varnish finish, spunover rim, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.

This early 1880's Dobson's Patent banjo is a really lovely example of a New York-made instrument from this period, a wonderful survivor of the early Gilded Age. In the 1880s the Dobson brothers were prominent banjo teacher/players; Henry C. Dobson was one of the most industrious. He held several early patents and designed some interesting elements into the banjos sold under his name, which were largely actually produced by the Buckbee factory.

This banjo carries some singular period Dobson features including a very slim "U" profile neck with an acutely angled back peghead, a spunover rim and a metal sheath over the fingerboard at the body end. The slotted peghead with imported German guitar style tuners and the little box carved into the neck to hold the 5th string machine are more upscale details, as are the carved dowel stick and an etched pattern in the heelcap.

The 11" rim is equipped with Henry C. Dobson's patented "donut" tone ring intended to give "A clear bell like ringing tone to the instrument", according to his 1881 patent application. This early fairly elaborate design consists of an inner cupped ring of thin metal under the head; it was quite original at the time and has been copied by modern manufacturers in the 21st century. "Dobson's Patent 1882" is stamped into the edge of the tone ring in two places.

The metal fingerboard extension is attached with screws and intended to be removable to facilitate changing the head, something also mentioned in his November 8, 1881 patent, which is stamped on either side of it. The dowel stick is not marked with any maker's name, but has a serial number #7403 stamped by the heel, with the "3" stamped backwards! This is a lovely example and a playable 19th century banjo, with a brighter sound than many thanks to Dobson's tone ring. It is also a great piece of NYC area musical history.

Overall length is 36 1/4 in. (92.1 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).

This banjo appears to be at least 140 years old yet remains fully playable in completely solid condition. There is a lightly aged patina and very minor general wear overall but really this is a very clean instrument for its age with no structural issues. Some finish is worn away on the neck and bottom of the rim, while the plating has generally light wear. The instrument appears nearly all original; the tailpiece is a later (1890s) Elite with the upper posts removed, while the bridge is more modern. A couple of hooks are slightly mismatched, "close but no cigar". The banjo is fully set up to play with a calfskin head with some cosmetic wear and Nylon strings; it sounds lovely. It resides in a modern HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.