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musical instrument details
1894 - Professional SS Stewart Special Banjo very good condition, Key of D or C
Estimated price for orientation: 1 698 $
Category: Banjos
Class:
Description Brand: SS Stewart Right-/ Left-Handed: Right Handed Model: Special Skill Level: Advanced Number of Strings: 5 Items Included: Case Body Style: Open Back Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
SS Stewart Special Banjo from 1894 in very good conditionSS Stewart made the “Specialty Banjo” style name “Special Banjo” to his own specification initially. It had minimal elaboration and was designed for professional players. This one is a lot more elaborate and must have been specified by the first owner.The 21 frets were designed to be used in the Key of D when used professionally, but could be used in the Key of C like all the other banjos. It was constructed for concert playing as it has a brilliant tone in D.The Company started making Special banjos for special customers. Not wishing to miss an opportunity, SS Stewart started to make these 10 ½” Rim models for general sale and named them Special on account of the size not being listed in the catalogue.At the time, clients could specify an upgrade to the neck, with much more elaborate inlays. This is one of those upgraded instruments. The neck has a beautiful inlay design with the traditional neck heel. The Peg Head is especially beautiful and still has the original patented “Champion Keys”. The fingerboard is a thick Ebony veneer with raised frets made from German Silver wire.It has a 10 ½” Rim diameter. This makes it one of the smaller banjos that the Company made. The Lady Stewart and the American Princess were 9” and 10” but they had shorter necks than the Special. This instrument is a thing of beauty. It has 24 brackets and a turned Top Hoop (all Nickel Plated). The rim is made of nickel-plated best German silver as quoted in the original catalogue.The bridge is not an original Stewart fitment. The original tailpiece is included in the sale. The original tailpiece has a hand carved rosette. SS Stewart called it the “Common Version”. Not many of the original tailpieces survive and they add considerably to the value of the instrument. The original is supplied with the instrument, although the string attachment bar is broken. The Banjo is fitted with an appropriate “No-Knot” tailpiece from the sa,e period.Tuned up to D or down to C, this is a beautiful sounding instrument and of historical importance. The head is in good used condition. The neck is straight and it plays comfortably. It’s currently set up with steel strings. It was really designed for Aquila Nylgut /Silk type strings. SS Stewart actually voided any warranty if he suspected a client had used steel strings on his banjos! I guess, the warranty is probably out of time now that 123 years have passed! The serial number dates this instrument to 1894, which is just 4 years prior to Mr S Stewart’s demise. Supplied in a modern case, together with the original rosette tailpiece as mentioned above.PART EXCHANGE: Please contact me if you have something to exchange. I am interested in un-modified instrumentsCondition remarks: There is a very small chip at the top of the back of the peg head (see the images). On extremely close inspection, it seems that the instrument has had a neck re-set. The fingerboard is very clean and the action is very good. There is a very slight bow on the neck. It would probably be kinder to the neck if it was fitted with Nylgut strings, so I’ve slackened off the tension. There is very light pitting as shown in the images. Note: The stand in the images is not included in the saleBuy With Confidence. All items are very carefully inspected and described. Inevitably, I get asked a question that I haven't thought to include in the description. I'm happy to answer all questions about this guitar. Please ask questionsLike us on Facebook and hear about our latest vintage items first. https://www.facebook.com/greatvintageitemsCheck out my other items on here.Offers:I will listen to sensible offers close to the asking price. However, if you would like the item sent to you, and you are outside the UK, I will need to know where you are in order to consider your offer properly. Please make it clear if your offer includes, or excludes delivery. Thanks.IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THIS POSTED ABROAD, PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR A SHIPPING PRICE BEFORE YOU BID. Thanks.Please note any overseas buyer must pay by paypal. (I no longer ship to the Russian Federation, Africa or Israel), Please get in touch for a shipping price if your country is not listed). The shipping cost will include full insurance costs.Payment& Delivery:Cash on collection is very welcome. I will accept payment by PayPal. (if you’re in the UK and collecting in person), or by bank transfer.Mainland UK ONLY: Postage is free using second class mail. If you would like this item sent to you any other way, just let me know and I will make the arrangements. If it costs more than my chosen method, you will need to pay the additional cost.Delivery OUTSIDE mainland UK: I will charge you whatever it costs me, PLUS the insurance cost. Please ask for a specific costing on postage. As this item is second hand, NO RETURNS, thank you.If you want to come and try it out beforehand please contact me.Any questions please feel free to askI leave feedback for buyers when they have left feedback for me. That way I know that the transaction has been happily concluded.
Description
| Brand: | SS Stewart | Right-/ Left-Handed: | Right Handed |
| Model: | Special | Skill Level: | Advanced |
| Number of Strings: | 5 | Items Included: | Case |
| Body Style: | Open Back | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
SS Stewart Special Banjo from 1894 in very good conditionSS Stewart made the “Specialty Banjo” style name “Special Banjo” to his own specification initially. It had minimal elaboration and was designed for professional players. This one is a lot more elaborate and must have been specified by the first owner.The 21 frets were designed to be used in the Key of D when used professionally, but could be used in the Key of C like all the other banjos. It was constructed for concert playing as it has a brilliant tone in D.The Company started making Special banjos for special customers. Not wishing to miss an opportunity, SS Stewart started to make these 10 ½” Rim models for general sale and named them Special on account of the size not being listed in the catalogue.At the time, clients could specify an upgrade to the neck, with much more elaborate inlays. This is one of those upgraded instruments. The neck has a beautiful inlay design with the traditional neck heel. The Peg Head is especially beautiful and still has the original patented “Champion Keys”. The fingerboard is a thick Ebony veneer with raised frets made from German Silver wire.It has a 10 ½” Rim diameter. This makes it one of the smaller banjos that the Company made. The Lady Stewart and the American Princess were 9” and 10” but they had shorter necks than the Special. This instrument is a thing of beauty. It has 24 brackets and a turned Top Hoop (all Nickel Plated). The rim is made of nickel-plated best German silver as quoted in the original catalogue.The bridge is not an original Stewart fitment. The original tailpiece is included in the sale. The original tailpiece has a hand carved rosette. SS Stewart called it the “Common Version”. Not many of the original tailpieces survive and they add considerably to the value of the instrument. The original is supplied with the instrument, although the string attachment bar is broken. The Banjo is fitted with an appropriate “No-Knot” tailpiece from the sa,e period.Tuned up to D or down to C, this is a beautiful sounding instrument and of historical importance. The head is in good used condition. The neck is straight and it plays comfortably. It’s currently set up with steel strings. It was really designed for Aquila Nylgut /Silk type strings. SS Stewart actually voided any warranty if he suspected a client had used steel strings on his banjos! I guess, the warranty is probably out of time now that 123 years have passed! The serial number dates this instrument to 1894, which is just 4 years prior to Mr S Stewart’s demise. Supplied in a modern case, together with the original rosette tailpiece as mentioned above.PART EXCHANGE: Please contact me if you have something to exchange. I am interested in un-modified instrumentsCondition remarks: There is a very small chip at the top of the back of the peg head (see the images). On extremely close inspection, it seems that the instrument has had a neck re-set. The fingerboard is very clean and the action is very good. There is a very slight bow on the neck. It would probably be kinder to the neck if it was fitted with Nylgut strings, so I’ve slackened off the tension. There is very light pitting as shown in the images. Note: The stand in the images is not included in the saleBuy With Confidence. All items are very carefully inspected and described. Inevitably, I get asked a question that I haven't thought to include in the description. I'm happy to answer all questions about this guitar. Please ask questionsLike us on Facebook and hear about our latest vintage items first. https://www.facebook.com/greatvintageitemsCheck out my other items on here.Offers:I will listen to sensible offers close to the asking price. However, if you would like the item sent to you, and you are outside the UK, I will need to know where you are in order to consider your offer properly. Please make it clear if your offer includes, or excludes delivery. Thanks.IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THIS POSTED ABROAD, PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR A SHIPPING PRICE BEFORE YOU BID. Thanks.Please note any overseas buyer must pay by paypal. (I no longer ship to the Russian Federation, Africa or Israel), Please get in touch for a shipping price if your country is not listed). The shipping cost will include full insurance costs.Payment& Delivery:Cash on collection is very welcome. I will accept payment by PayPal. (if you’re in the UK and collecting in person), or by bank transfer.Mainland UK ONLY: Postage is free using second class mail. If you would like this item sent to you any other way, just let me know and I will make the arrangements. If it costs more than my chosen method, you will need to pay the additional cost.Delivery OUTSIDE mainland UK: I will charge you whatever it costs me, PLUS the insurance cost. Please ask for a specific costing on postage. As this item is second hand, NO RETURNS, thank you.If you want to come and try it out beforehand please contact me.Any questions please feel free to askI leave feedback for buyers when they have left feedback for me. That way I know that the transaction has been happily concluded.