8-Screw Mountain Model 5 String Fretless Banjo (unlabelled) (early/mid 20th century), origin unknown, dark stain finish, walnut body and neck, black chipboard case.

While we have recently handled a number of these fretless Appalachian mountain banjos dating from the 1960s through the 1980s, this is the first one we have seen recently that appears to be considerably older. The simple but ingenious design of these distinctive banjos is known to date to the 19th century in areas centered around Watauga County, North Carolina, with builders from the Hicks, Glenn and Proffitt families adding to the tradition down through the 20th century. This banjo carries no markings enabling it to be identified to a specific builder or dated exactly, but it appears to be a pre-revival instrument meaning it was built before the 1960s, possibly long before.

These Mountain banjos are built to a specific pattern with the head stretched over a metal can that is encased in the multi-piece wooden rim, in this case secured with 8 countersunk screws from the top. The hand carved one-piece neck has a very slim D-shaped profile, topped by an unusually small 19th century style headstock holding the distinctly hand-hewn tuning pegs. It is fretless with no markings on the fingerboard and an unusually short 22 1/2" scale. The tailpiece is hand cut from sheet metal.

This is a workable and competently made if a bit primitive example of a mountain banjo as made famous by players such as Frank Proffitt. While we cannot attribute this instrument to any notable builder, it has definite age to it and is a completely authentic example of this beautiful regional style of folk lutherie and musical tradition.

Overall length is 30 1/2 in. (77.5 cm.), 9 in. (22.9 cm.) diameter, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).

This banjo shows some general wear but despite its apparently considerable age does not appear heavily used. The finish itself is a very thin and uneven stain and the instrument has a somewhat crude and rustic appearance, but definitely authentic. The back of the neck shows some wear and smoothing out to the finish in the first position from play.

There is one repaired shrinkage crack off one of the screws on the upper edge of the top, solid but visible. It is currently set up with a more recent bridge but an older hand carved one (almost certainly original) is in the case. The instrument plays well within the limits of this class of 5-string and has a very good sound. This is a fairly rare find, especially in playable shape and is definitely a very interesting piece of history, stored in an older (c. 1960s) chipboard case. Very Good + Condition.