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Oct 6, 2024 - 2:01:34 AM
8 posts since 10/5/2024

Hi there, I've just joined the group, I've played banjo for a number if years now, and have recently purchased a vintage zither banjo with no manufacturer's markings on it. I've re strung stand it plays great, I believe it could be a windsor because of the case, but I'm not sure and wondered if anybody in the group may be able to identify it?

Oct 6, 2024 - 2:03:11 AM

8 posts since 10/5/2024

Forgive my phones auto correct function, I meant to say "I've re strung it and it sounds great"

Oct 6, 2024 - 3:05:24 AM

JSB88

UK

678 posts since 3/9/2017

Hello and welcome. There is a lot of knowledge here but I would imagine those with it will need more pictures. This site is a bit complicated for pictures, especially if you are using a phone rather than a laptop. If you have trouble adding them, preferably to the thread itself, say so and someone (not me as I really don't know) will walk you through it. Good luck :-)

Oct 6, 2024 - 4:36:28 AM

8 posts since 10/5/2024

Hi there, thanks for the welcome, I'm quite happy to add more pictures if needed, I'll try and add a few more close up photos to this thread if possible

Oct 6, 2024 - 4:46:25 AM

8 posts since 10/5/2024

I think I've attached the photos properly












Oct 6, 2024 - 5:46:34 AM

8596 posts since 9/21/2007

Sorry, can’t help with the make. But you have it strung incorrectly, these are strung with a thin wire first, second and fifth. The third should be nylon monofilament (originally gut) and the fourth copper wound over floss.

Oct 6, 2024 - 5:49:40 AM

8 posts since 10/5/2024

Oh that's interesting, they're Clifford Essex zither banjo strings, and they are identical to the previous set that I removed

Oct 6, 2024 - 5:53:37 AM

3177 posts since 2/4/2013

quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooks

Sorry, can’t help with the make. But you have it strung incorrectly, these are strung with a thin wire first, second and fifth. The third should be nylon monofilament (originally gut) and the fourth copper wound over floss.


Just to add to this for Alex's sake the zither banjo string set is not widely available but Clifford Essex do such a set - zither banjo regular set and even a more expensive ultimate set which has a gut string as well as a light all steel set.

https://cliffordessex.com/strings/banjo-strings/zither-banjo

Oct 6, 2024 - 5:56:11 AM

8 posts since 10/5/2024

Hi, yes that's the exact set I have put on the banjo, I went for the ultra light Clifford Essex zither banjo strings

Oct 6, 2024 - 5:56:17 AM

8596 posts since 9/21/2007

The strings in the photos look to be all wire. If I am mistaken, then I am sorry.

Oct 6, 2024 - 6:02:36 AM

8 posts since 10/5/2024

Yes, they're the light set, which are all steel zither strings, but I'll order the regular set and see the difference when I next change them, I have tried nylgut strings on my previous banjo before but found them fairly difficult to keep in tune, I take it the 3rd string isn't the same as nylgut?

Oct 6, 2024 - 6:16:58 AM

8596 posts since 9/21/2007

The the new CE (unrelated to the original) is being deceiving in what they are selling. Zither banjos were developed by Alfred Cammeyer for the combination string set to provide different timbres. Music was arranged around these with the melody in the wire and harmony on the third and fourth.

It was a unique sound but I don’t see the use in owning one if they are not strung correctly, with all wire, or all nylon, they are just poor sounding banjos.

Oct 6, 2024 - 6:29:55 AM

8 posts since 10/5/2024

Interesting, well I'll get a regular set and swap it over, I'm intrigued to hear the difference, thanks for the info

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