1890s Luscomb Fancy 5-String Openback Banjo

Overview: This beaut just got snagged in-shop. It's a lovely old 5-string made by Thompson & Odell in Boston, MA. It looks like it matches for a Grade 3 model, more or less. It has a spunover rim with an interesting tonering design on the inner edge. The hardware is all high-quality and it's roughly-comparable to a Stewart in build quality. It even has its original, ivory tailpiece with engraving! As per the usual for the time, it was built with gut strings in mind so we've strung it with Nylgut after work was done.

Repairs included: Max gave it a level/dress of the frets and I set it up and did various other minor adjustments. It's playing spot-on.

• Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz
• Scale length: 26 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 11/32"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 27/32"
• Depth at seventh fret: 31/32"
• Head diameter: 11 5/8"
• Depth overall at rim: 2 3/8"
• Rim wood: ply maple w/spunover cladding
• Tonering: bigger semi-donut
• Bridge: maple/ebony
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: Aquila Nylgut light tension
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/small

Condition notes: The head, bridge, and friction tuners are all later, but overall it's mostly-original and in good order. There's minor wear and tear throughout but the condition is really quite excellent for its age.

It comes with: It has a nice hard case.

Consignor tag: STVR