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Looking for Vintage Banjo Hook
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=17429		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Ric Hollander [ Sat May 31, 2008 8:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Looking for Vintage Banjo Hook
I picked up a vintage "Rettberg & Lange" "Manhattan" model banjo today at a garage sale. I paid $80 for it and according to Elderly Instruments it might be worth about $1,200 when restored. It was built circa 1915 and is in pretty decent shape considering it's spent the last 50 or so years in an attic. I want to restore it (what am I getting myself into? beehive ) and one of the hooks and matching nuts are missing. Ideally, I'd like to use one that matches the others. The modern hooks I've found look quite different.

Can anyone recommend where I might find one?

Image

Thanks,

- Ric
Author:  Billy T [ Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for Vintage Banjo Hook
Ric:

If nobody knows where you could find one easily you might try a small machine shop. They could probably knock one of these out reasonably quick!
Author:  Terry Stowell [ Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for Vintage Banjo Hook
RIck, I have a banjo builder friend, I'll ask him. Might take a couple days to get back to you.
PM me tonight (Wed 6/4), I'll see his son tonight....
Author:  AndrewGribble [ Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for Vintage Banjo Hook
Ric, wow, nice 'eye on a classic banjo there. I'm no vintage banjo expert, but that hook doesn't look too rare. It may be worth a shot to contact Tim Smith through his website http://savethebanjos.com/ or possibly Bob Smakula http://www.smakula.com

If they don't have the part I bet they could shoot you in the right direction. Or sheesh forget that old thing and send it my direction (postage pre-paid of course). PM me and I'll send my shipping address. :D
Author:  Doug-Guitar-Buckler [ Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for Vintage Banjo Hook
These are all great suggestions. You may also want to take a look back where you started at Elderly's web site. They sell a lot of "as is" instruments which can be very useful for parts if nothing else. They might have something with those style hooks. An ebay search for "project banjo" might turn up a match too. Good luck and nice find!
Author:  Ric Hollander [ Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking for Vintage Banjo Hook
Thanks for the info everyone. I was able to find the missing hook at Bernunzio Vintage Instruments: http://www.bernunzio.com/

They were very helpful and provided lots of tips on how to approach the restoration.

- Ric
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