Unmarked 5-String Bracket Band Banjo, probably Buckbee, 1880s

This is an old and valuable 5-string banjo which I bought 2 years ago from a reputable vintage instrument dealer. (I can let you know which one if you send me a private message.)

It has violin-style friction tuners (not original) which work great on the nylgut strings. Tuners might be improved with some rosin but really they work pretty good.

The head is real skin but not sure how old. The pot is made from wood with a darker veneer and a metal band that reinforces the shoes and brackets. All this hardware is original and very cool. The tailpiece is original and interesting. The shape and embellishment match the headstock which is a very cool shape.

The one-piece hand carved neck has been shimmed where it meets the pot to improve the action. It has great action height for claw hammer playing which is how I use it; might be a bit high for fingerpicking.

This comes with a brand new and very high quality hard shell case.