1900s Weymann Openback 5-String Banjo

My comrade-in-banjos, Mr. Ben, sent this in for resale. I think I passed the Philadelphia-made Weymann bug to him hard a few years ago, and since then he's had a number of sweethearts through his hands. This one is a gorgeous, early-production instrument from right around 1900/1901, judging by Mr. Charles' updated Weymann serial chart. It's a quality build throughout, has fast neck, and a forward, clear, crisp, and clean sound with enough depth to satisfy low-string slides.

Work included: a fret level/dress, new plastic 5th pip, cleaning, two new rosewood shims for the neck brace, and a good setup. It has a straight neck and plays on-the-dot for its nylgut "reds" string setup (3/32"  action at the 12th fret). I wouldn't suggest steel of any sort on this, as it was never intended when the instrument was built. Nylgut, gut, or fluorocarbon strings will sound great on it, however. There's also some old work done on the instrument, including a heel split repair (sturdy) and perhaps a little light overspray to the neck finish here and there.

Scale length: 26 3/16"
Nut width: 1 1/4"
String spacing at nut: 1"
String spacing at saddle: 1 3/4"
Head diameter: 10 1/2"

Side depth: 2 1/4"
Weight: 4 lb, 6 oz

Head material: Remo frosted-top synthetic (older)
Rim wood: unsure/maple
Neck wood: walnut
Fretboard: ebony

Neck shape: flat board, slim soft-V frets 1-5, slim C frets 6+

Bridge: replacement rosewood

Nut: bone

Serial number: 2271

Condition notes: It's pretty dang clean for its age and is all-original save a replacement head, aftermarket armrest, replacement 5th pip/nut, replacement bridge, and replacement neck brace shims. The headstock veneer has dryness hairline cracks but is secure. There's mild usewear throughout, the board itself has a few rubbed/rough areas (but not obvious), and the heel has an old split repair where you expect it -- right at the "dowel pocket." It's good to go.

It comes with: an oversize but functional, newer, arched-top hard case.

The pearl inlay in the neck is nice.

There's a bit of head-damping foam stuffed under the dowel to cut-down on minor overtones.

The Elite tailpiece is nice to have, even with its missing string-guide for the middle string. The bit of shoelance in the string-afterlength is simply to mute overtones behind the bridge.