1888 Cubley Banjo: Cheap Luscomb KNOCK-OFF?

[@milemarker_oscar_mike]

She makes the old tunes sound like they should 💯

[@wovoka9967]

The tone on that is incredible.

[@blipsnchips4492]

Ravenswood is a neighborhood in Chicago today still. I love your music and how you play the banjo.

[@StinkyParadox]

One great aesthetic feature of the Luscomb is that the thickness angle cut on the headstock is 90 degrees relative to the fretboard as opposed to what appears as 90 degrees relative to the headstock angle on the Cubley. I'm guessing this would be accomplished in production, on a pedal scroll saw from solid stock before the angle of the headstock is cut. I haven't come across what machinery Thompson and Odell used or what machines were commonly used by instrument manufacturers in the era.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Thanks for writing. A lot of the work that went into these is still something of a mystery. For example, Sam Stewart (SS Stewart banjos) is the only large manufacturer to have photos taken inside his factory.

[@CousinErn]

That thing GROWLS

[@dwaingibbs93]

That tailpiece really caught my eye. I don't know if it's just but that peghead shape is rough lol. Sometimes you really lose something when you try to copy a beautiful design

[@johns6095]

Got to love that second amendment. it’s so awesome we have the constitution in all its glory an it’s even better it applies to “We the people” even those who may disagree with it.

[@juelulven1645]

I love your posts and the attention to instrument detail as well as the sound. I'm assuming you're identifying it as Cubley based on the metal dowel? Other details don't match most of the other Cubley banjos I've seen. The usual tip off for me is the large patent globe brackets he used with nuts that go through the bracket surrounding the hook thread and are adjusted with a screwdriver. I've seen a few definitive headstock shapes he used, but haven't seen that one. Inlay is usually fancy wood marquetry vs. pearl inlay. He had a rolled hollow metal rim patent that Dobson sued him over, but I haven't seen a solid one before. Concerning the tuners, Lars L Filstrup, named on the patent, worked for Cubley, but I think had left around the time of the patent application. The Larson Brothers of steel string guitar fame also worked for Cubley.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Hi Clifton! I do love the sound of those old banjos. They sound old timey! 🪕

[@robinhood480]

Question: Any info on the ODE longneck banjo. Stamped “A”. Open back. I’ve found some info on internet. Getting one soon. Used, in layaway in a little store. Thanks

[@jaimymetts]

Love it!! Keep up the amazing work!!

[@cadenbariekman8851]

Really like this man great skills and great sounds thank you man.

[@willf5768]

Very cool. Ever play a banjo Ukelele?

[@PermacultureAppalachia]

🙌🏿

[@milemarker_oscar_mike]

Grateful to have been able to catch a look at this one 🙌 💯

[@1955mrjim]

Clifton, I am going to disagree with you about your Cubley designation. It does not have the characteristic Cubley peghead shape, or the characteristic Cubley hardware, or the characteristic metal Cubley tailpiece.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Whoever made it seems to have been making a cheap copy of the Thompson & Odell "Luscomb" banjo. Any ideas?

[@1955mrjim]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo , Sorry, no clue.

[@unholylemonpledge9730]

Always think an acoustic bass guitar would work so well with banjo/ old time music

[@davidmckean955]

Those acoustic bass guitars aren't very loud and most banjos are.

[@easternkentuckyoutdoors8092]

How much would a banjo like that be worth