DeWick "Ideal" Tenor Banjo c1920 Very Rare! w/OHSC

DeWick 4 String 18 fret Tenor Banjo, c. 1920, made in Brooklyn, NY, natural varnish finish, laminated Birdseye maple neck and rim, ebonized fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

This is a unique 100+ year old 4-string banjo bearing the name of DeWick.

Besides the high quality workmanship, what makes this instrument unique is a pair of patented features like DeWick's neck adjustment and built-in resonator with brackets that do not extend above the rim. DeWick said the banjo was "Made by men who thoroughly understand the art of BANJO building"

This unique instrument proves the marketing hype was right. Dewick's innovations include the spunover rim and large resonator covered in marquetry; The back of the resonator is  recessed against the rim and the bracket nuts extend through the resonator back;  The 22 3/8" scale neck is made of laminated maple with multiple wood underlays and a bound extended rosewood fingerboard. The headstock is veneered with a "DeWick" logo and vine motif in pearl. The rim is beautiful Birdseye Maple maple, bound and capped with a marquetry strip around both sides of the base. The tuners are high grade Five Star Planetary. The finish overall is a very thin clear varnish.

The tailpiece looks to be a more modern replacement. It is heavy duty, and accepts balled end strings

The banjo is an excellent condition. There are no notable dings or dents, and the only notable wear is the typical discoloration on the back of the neck from having been handled for so many decades. There are definitely no signs of abuse or accidents.

DeWick was a banjo performer, teacher, inventor and general banjoistic dabbler with a career spanning the 1890s classic era 5-string right through to the jazzy '20s. By 1892 his teaching studio was at 591 Fulton Street, he later partnered in that business with Charles E. Dobson of the banjo-centric Dobson family.

At the same time He actively performed with banjo, mandolin and guitar as The DeWick Trio, apparently employing his wife and daughter. This "refined musical act" was a presence on the vaudeville circuit through at least 1910. Turning to invention, he authored two mandolin patents in 1911 and 1912, followed by two banjo patents in the mid 1920s. These covered this De Wick "Ideal" Banjo's patented neck adjuster, built-in resonator and brackets integrated into the rim. DeWick claimed to be the maker of these but like many period teacher/player/inventors almost certainly sourced his banjos from other factories, or at least the parts prior to assembling

As to who actually made the instrument for DeWick, Gretsch (also in Brooklyn) is the most likely suspect based on the construction and especially the shape of the headstock volute. Whoever built it this is a very good quality instrument, well made, sturdy and a very nice player with a warmer sonic character than many Tenors. This survives as a testament to the redoubtable Mr. DeWick's long lost Brooklyn banjo empire.

Overall length is 32 in.

Diameter head is 11 in

Rim depth is 2 13/16 in. measured at side of rim.

Scale length is 22 3/8 in.

Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).

Ships complete in the original Blue-lined HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.