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Topic: MASTERPIECE Banjo and New Case PLEASE CLOSE b0b |
steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 15 Oct 2016 1:57 pm |
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MASTERPIECE BANJO in near mint condition. A very unique resonator banjo, most likely Japanese made some time in the early1980’s. Looks a lot like my Ibanez Artist.
Laminated maple neck and resonator with honey amber finish. Two piece flange. Some gold plated and some silver plated parts. Not random though…and quite attractive the way the two plating colors are “layed out†on the instrument. Headstock has Bella Voce style inlays. Ornate carved heel. Weight is 10 lbs.
There is some minor wear to the first 3 or 4 frets. There's still plenty of life left in the frets--no need for a refret or fret dressing.
Plays clean up and down the neck. If you have a very aggressive play style you might be able to make it buzz, but I didn't have any issues.
Strings are about 2.3mm high at the 12th fret. This is approximate 3/32" or .090". It plays well now but there is room for adjustment if desired.
Planetary tuners. Very good 5th string cap. Comes with new case.
It's a nice sounding banjo but not pre-war Gibson; or present day Stelling or Deering.. For the money it has decent tone, looks good and plays well. Thanks, stevet
 
Last edited by steve takacs on 7 Feb 2017 5:45 am; edited 7 times in total |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 16 Oct 2016 9:34 am
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That's interesting, Steve - the decoration on the heel is identical to that on my Alvarez Denver Belle 5-string. Not sure if it's inlay or some kind of coating or resin. I do know when I tried to drill for a strap-button I couldn't penetrate it at all.
I wonder if they're from the same factory. Are Ibanez and Alvarez connected in some way?
_________________
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10s, Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and old Martins.
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 16 Oct 2016 7:16 pm
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Hi,Roger,
Very interesting!
I don't know about any connection between Ibanez and Alvarez but one could exist. On the other hand, if the Japanese were copying USA instruments back then and threatened with lawsuits(Gibson) they could have also been copying each other's instruments as well.
Does the rest of your banjo look the same as mine? What I'm really curious about is what the material is in or on the heel of your banjo as it sounds like some pretty rugged stuff. Thanks, stevet |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 17 Oct 2016 7:19 am
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They look identical apart from the finish. Here's my Alvarez.
_________________
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10s, Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and old Martins.
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 17 Oct 2016 10:14 am
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Hey Steve and Roger,
Here's an interesting thread about 1970's Japanese mandolins...I'm willing to bet some of the same interrelationships were happening with Japanese production of banjos and guitars at that time as well. It looks like quite a tangled web of manufacturers, subcontractors, etc. which may explain lots of similar-looking instruments.
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-27620.html |
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Adam Tracksler
From:
Maine, USA
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 20 Oct 2016 6:29 am
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Roger, your Alvarez Denver Belle banjo also has some checkered binding and engraving of the metal parts. Looks great. Hope your get to play it in addition to your pedal steel.
Jeff and Adam, several times I read the information you found from 10 years ago about all these companies from Asia that made mandolins and banjos. Now I m more confused than ever and also have a headache.  Things were pretty convoluted in East Asia in terms of instrument building.
Thanks. for taking the time to respond. steve t |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 20 Oct 2016 6:41 am
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Yes, but I bet the basic components are common to yours and mine. The detailing may be different here and there.
You will notice that my 5th string is missing - that's because all it currently gets used for is doing legit musicals in a pit-band (Hello Dolly, Showboat, etc, etc). However, this week I have ordered a vintage Weymann tenor banjos (I'm about to do 'Chicago') so I can restore the Alvarez to its proper condition and resume work on my feeble Scruggs-style playing.
_________________
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10s, Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and old Martins.
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 26 Oct 2016 2:29 pm
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| Roger, is the musical being done in the Naples area? If so, I will suggeest two of my sisters go and see it. Stevet |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 26 Oct 2016 2:49 pm
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No, Steve - on the other coast in Vero Beach. During January.
_________________
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10s, Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and old Martins.
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 6 Nov 2016 10:20 am
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| Hopefully this summer, Roger. Stevet |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 26 Nov 2016 6:03 pm
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| Bumpo |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 7 Feb 2017 12:03 am Please close, b0b
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| Please close this thread, b0b. Thanks, Stevet |
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