Welcome To Trader-Bobs Ebay Auctions. Allow me to introduce myself. I am a professional ebay seller. I have been involved in retail sales for over 40 years, the largest portion, of these years, having been my own successful retail auto sales / parts / repair business, which I started from scratch. I take your satifaction, AS A BUYER, VERY SERIOUSLY! If there is a problem with this item you have purchased from me, I want to hear about it FIRST, before feedback is left! So that the problem can be resolved. Thenextitemwehaveontheblockis,,,,,,,,,,, Trader-BOB's MUSIC on FACEBOOK, offers a Van Eps Recording Banjo (Patented), serial number 501. 19 standard, (not flush) fret tenor banjo. 11-3/8" archtop head. 24 hooks thru holes in the side of the tension ring. All the hooks, nuts , and shoes, are original, and match. The head is torn, the gunk looking stuff is duct tape adhesive, someone tried to make a repair. Planet, planetary tuners, all work fine. Inlaid headstock. Small diamond fret markers. Tag on the curved dowelstick, "Van Eps Recording Banjo", "Patented". No other tags. Serial number 501 stamped in the dowelstick, up near the neck hardware. The aluminium resonator pan is missing. The armrest looks aftermarket, has a dent in it. 22-1/2" scale length, Grover Non-Tip bridge. The tailpiece is rather unique, not sure if it is the original or not. Not much info online about dating this banjo, and virtually none for sale. No mention of Lyon & Healy on it. The neck looks like it may have been cracked in the heel, and repaired. Only shows up on the left side, see the last picture. 1-1/4" nut width. The neck has a slight bow, .011" at the 7th fret, with my neck relief gauge. Floating "Tone Ring" rests on four tangs fastened to the inside of the pot. Very solid, restorable rare banjo. Sorry, no case. *********** RECEIVER SIGNATURE REQUIRED ON ALL SHIPMENTS OVER $100.00, ***************** IF YOU HAVE EXCEPTION TO THAT, DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM! *****************THE SHIPPING CHARGES ARE CALCULATED BY EBAY, NOT ME! ***************CHECK OUT THE SHIPPING OF THIS ITEM TO YOU, VIA EBAY'S SHIPPING CALCULATOR. ***************** IF YOU THINK THE CHARGES ARE TOO HIGH, DONT BUY THIS ITEM! INDIANA RESIDENTS ADD 7% SALES TAX. NO RESERVE ON THIS ITEM ! ! ! ! BE THE HIGH BIDDER ! ! IF YOU LIKE OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, PLEASE LEAVE FEEDBACK ACCORDINGLY. IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS, PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE YOU LEAVE FEEDBACK, SO THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED. THANK YOU! COMBINED SHIPPING, NO PROBLEM Contact for questions, comments WE SHIP WORLDWIDE. IF YOUR COUNTRY CHARGES ANY IMPORT DUTIES, THEY ARE YOURS TO PAY!!! INSURANCE IS NOT REQUIRED, BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. NON PAYING BIDDERS, STAY HOME. WASTE YOUR TIME SOMEWHERE ELSE