1948 Bucholz 5-String Pony Banjo

I forgot to grab measurements on this guy but it's roughly a "pony" banjo with a tenor-banjo-like scale length (around 21") and smaller, 9-and-something-inch rim.

It's a curious mix of found materials (1890s tuners and some older rim hardware) and ingenuity. It's clearly a "folk art" or "folk craft" instrument and made by a one-man-workshop builder. Said fella is "John L Bucholz" and he's known for having made some nice fiddles as well.

There are interesting and quirky details in the build but my favorite parts are the "man in the moon" inlay in the headstock and the slightly-adjustable down-pressure tailpiece. The neck brace gadget is neat, too.

Work was light-ish on this guy. I first reglued a split in the heel along the dowel. Then I gave the frets a level/dress job and added some railroad spike capos to the neck to make key-jumping a little easier. I gave the owner a couple extra different-height bridges to deal with the finicky frustration of skin heads and changing weather as well. Underneath the neck brace plate I also hid two bolts that hold the neck tight to the rim -- it's much better (and safer) than trusting in the shim-style, 1890s-era, neck brace attachment that the builder intended to use.

Post-repairs it was playing spot-on and we left it strung-up with Nylgut the owner uses on it -- which is an excellent choice.