1870s Buckbee-made 5-String Pony Banjo

While there are no markings on this banjo, it's a Buckbee product from the late 1870s, most likely. It has "Dobson" features in the geared, guitar-style tuners used at the 5th peg and in the slotted headstock. What makes it completely intriguing is that it's a "pony" banjo with a small rim size and reduced scale length. Usually these are tuned up to C but I have it setup as an "A scale" instrument for its owner at the moment and it sounds excellent that way.

My friend Tim did most of the work on this instrument but I stepped-in to rehead it for him and give him pointers and help here and there. He completely transformed it, however, as it was gross when it arrived and it looks gorgeous now.

Per the usual for the time, it would have been strung with gut when made and it has Aquila Nylgut on it at the moment.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, new 5th peg pip, new bone nut, replacement bridge, new skin head install, additional bolt reinforcement at neck joint, new tailgut for the tailpiece, lots of cleaning, setup work.

Weight: 1 lb 15 oz

Scale length: 18 1/2"

Nut width: 1 3/16"

Neck shape: slim-medium V

Board radius: flat

Head diameter: 7 7/8"

Depth overall at rim: 2 1/4"

Rim wood: unsure

Tonering: integral -- spunover rim design

Bridge: maple/ebony

Fretboard: mahogany (same as neck)

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32" overall (quick, spot-on)
String gauges: Nylgut medium-tension

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: it's all-original save head, nut, 5th pip, bridge, and a couple of the screws in the rim hardware. It's in very good shape and Tim did an excellent job cleaning all of the hardware and parts. It was quite filthy when it arrived.