1880s Buckbee-made Tremonte 5-String Pony Banjo

The back of the headstock says this is a "Tremonte" banjo, but it's clearly a Buckbee-made instrument. I've handled so many old Buckbees, there's no mistaking them. They've got a very distinct build.

This one is pretty early in the game, however, and is almost minstrel-style in construction, with a thin and round dowel, small head, short scale length, and very folksy, not-quite-true fretting. The hardware is simple, too. The tone is woody and simple with decent snap/projection and a moderate amount of volume for its size.

Work included: a new skin head install, fret level/dress, side dots, replacement button for the 5th peg, replacement 5th pip, replacement bridge, general cleaning, and a setup. It plays with spot-on for  a nylon-string setup with 3/32" action at the 12th fret and a straight neck.

Scale length: 20 3/16"
Nut width: 1 3/16"
String spacing at nut: 1"
String spacing at bridge: 1 5/8"

Head diameter: 8 1/8" skin head

Side depth: 2 3/8"

Rim wood: maple or similar with nickel-plated cladding
Neck wood: walnut
Fretboard: none

Neck shape: flat board with slim-to-medium V-shaped neck

Bridge: maple/ebony 1/2"

Nut: original ebony

Tonering: none (simple rounded-top wood rim)

Condition notes: replaced tuners all-around (this would've had violin-style friction pegs), a replacement bridge, and replacement tailpiece. All the hook/nut/shoe sets look original and the flesh hoop is original, too.

While the two side-mounted neck screws are original, I did add a third for reinforcement's sake.