A reader writes:

I have a Washburn 4 string, 17 fret, Style D tenor banjo with a solid wood back. Can't find a serial number. Was told, when I bought it in 1969, that it was old, but I have no idea what that meant. I'd like to know more about it (including value)but mostly its history and status. Any suggestions? Thanks.
(Very helpful www sites, incidentally.)

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Thanks for getting in touch.

The actual Washburn company made a lot of instruments a century ago.
Is the resonator held on by a single screw in the middle? That goes pretty far back.
Is the pot wood or metal? Metal goes way back, too, but the better banjos of a century ago used wood pots, so wood doesn't necessarily mean a newer banjo, just maybe a better one..
I am NOT an expert on these, but I would love to see photos, and maybe if I post them someone else will know more about them.
Also, do you play? Those were used for Dixieland/Ragtime/Jazz back in the day, but nowadays, some are used for Celtic-inspired music. I should ask if it's playable, too.
Sorry, too many questions.

Have a great evening - Paul

The reader answered:

Wow! That was quick. Thanks.

The resonator is held on by a single screw in the middle. The pot is wood. The planetary tuners (as you will see in the attached photos) go in from the back. I also just noticed that where the strings attach at the pot, the metal is stamped "Waverly". As you can see, the instrument is in fairly rough shape, a sign, I hope, that it previously lived a long and useful life. Hope all this is of some interest to you.

I don't play, but have wanted to try for some time, and now in my retirement I have the opportunity. As far as I can tell, the banjo is playable (at least I can tune and plunk it) but I have no idea of the quality of the output other than that it seems nice and loud.

Thanks again. Best regards.





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We had some offline conversations about potential value and I told him it probably wouldn't make him rich. If you know otherwise, please contact me and I'll get back to him.