"Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd" English Minstrel Banjo - Late 1870s

[@earlyenglishbanjo]

Recordings, notation and research updates: m.kzbin.info/door/2ARp4V-79Qsk0dxbKvqniQvideos

[@ElCapKid]

The A&N CSL sticker is really cool! Not sure if you found anything about it but it stands for Army & Navy Co-operative Society. Was established in 1871 in England. There’s some great info about the organization and it’s history on Google.

[@earlyenglishbanjo]

This pattern English banjo was made by a London manufactory and supplied to and retailed under their own stamp by numerous instrument sellers including Metzler & Co., and G. Butler & Sons. The Early English Banjo research project has a closed back, fretless (without flush frets) example with machine heads and an inscribed silver plate dated ‘January 1877’. This and other early English banjos are used to record researched repertoire, carefully and precisely set up to contemporary spec.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

So, was there a guy named RA Sanders building these?

[@earlyenglishbanjo]

There wasn’t a wholesale maker trading as R. A. Sanders of the type and scale supplying Metzler & Co., G. Butler & Sons, and others. We have identified wholesale manufactories in London that were supplying trade. We know one of these was supplying G. Butler & Sons. An individual employee may have put pencil marks on the inner rim that sometimes survive; or more commonly an owner. A stamp, though appearing indicative of a maker, was often added by a retailer.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Yes, it's the same in the U.S. There were really only a handful of commercial makers, but music stores, bands, radio stations, or just shell companies would often have their own logos put on the instrument as if manufactured by them. For some reason, when encountered in the U.S., this type of banjo is usually attributed to "R.A. Sanders."

[@bearshield7138]

I love listening to you play. I more I learn The more I want to know. I want to learn to build things like this beautiful interment

[@Nomadboatbuilding]

Well that’s just got me wanting to slide into the workshop and take a crack at building something just like it. Thanks for sharing Clifton.

[@alexandercobb2456]

coolest banjo yet

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

A Beautiful banjo Clifton! I wonder about all the many old tunes played on this instrument, the clogging that it may have caused and the Joy it produced. All the vibrations within the heart of the woods. Things can absorb energies as you well know. Like Grandpap’s old watch or pocket knife or Grandma’s old black fryin pan she used thousands of times. Which I do have and still use to this day. It’s more than the high quality cast iron but all those meals made over more than a century. That’s what’s special about old well used and Loved objects. I once played an old Martin guitar that went back to the first 10-12 years of the Martin factory. The owner took it to Nazareth, Pa. And it was research at Martin. It was a small body with Martin and Co. branded in the head. It vibrated your insides when played. I’ve always felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play that ancient Martin. The owners old Auntie gave it to him and had been in her attic 30 years or more. Amazingly it was in nearly perfect shape. Martin had offered him a nice sum and a new D28 but he turned it down. What this instrument would be worth today I’m sure would be tops. But it was the sound and the feel of that guitar that rendered it priceless in my book. Kind Thanks Clifton for sharing this Lovely Heartfelt instrument with a sound that can only be produced by long years and much Love! Many Blessings and Much Music! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@alexandercacciarelli4412]

Clifton, thank you for showing all these banjos. My brother built a long neck for me and he is a skilled carpenter. He could build just about anything if it has wood. I think that your videos give a history that many banjo players should know. They allow one to understand the instrument. I love the book that you recommended about the banjo roots and branches. But a book is a book. What you are doing on video gives a person the " sounds of history". Thanks for your effort. It's not going on deaf ears,All of us must answer the question some day of " What did I do with my life?" You will never have that problem.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Thanks for the kind words, Alexander, I'm glad to be of some use to others.

[@harvdog5669]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Howdy Mr Hicks, I am thinking of buying a Recording king R-35 Resenator Banjo.. Do you know if I can apply nylon, or gut or metal strings to this banjo with out any problems??? Looking at my first banjo...

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Those are designed around medium gauge steel strings; however, you can probably get away with La Bella No. 17 nylon strings.

[@Banjo_Dave]

I'm in love with that banjo!

[@Hungry_Hunter]

Absolutely marvelous piece of banjo history. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnschneider4160]

It's a beautiful-looking machine!

[@robkunkel8833]

Yes. I just received the Banjo Roots book from University of Illinois Press and I just ordered a volume called “Sinful Tunes and Spirituals: Black Folk Music to the Civil War.” This period of history and home made instruments go right together. You are holding the torch of music history. Wonderful work.

[@vinsamson8061]

So you have had some hands on experience of some English banjos after all! Great video lovely banjo🪕🤘

[@zachariahjosephturne]

Love the way these out banjo sound!!! I don't think no one can play cluck old hen as good as you brother made me feel like I was lost on a mountain somewhere awesome playing!!!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Thanks. I know a man named George Gibson who can pick "Cluck Old Hen" _way_ better than me. He plays the Hell out of it at 11:00 minutes into this recording: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJfCp5V_l5yXe7s

[@zachariahjosephturne]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo never heard of old George but he can tear it up!!!don't know if you know how to play it but you should put a video up of you playing backstep Cindy and or rambling hobo doc Watson version ......

[@xZombee]

That is so friggin' cool! Sounds amazing and suits east virginia very well. Thank you for the history lesson, I found the screws and wood tension hoop contraption very interesting.

[@ChrisOgle210]

Wow. Now that I'm seeing the entire instrument, It is incredibly unique. Love the all wood tension system going on there. I'm on a quest to make my first banjo. This may end up being an inspiration piece here. Awesome content. Dig your old school voice. Definitely subscribing!

[@simonolsen9995]

Totally agree. That banjo is fantastic. That sound is just perfect. If I had magic powers... trust me, it would be sitting in my lap already. Thanks for sharing that.

[@ynysmones3816]

I only just learnt that the Banjo spread to Britain so early in it's development as an instrument

[@JerryShelato]

I've been lurking about your channel for about a month now, and I'm just loving it, man. KEEP ON. 👍✌👍

[@patrickfoster4586]

Man that thing has a great tone!

[@garycowger9579]

Clif I took a really good look at that banjo I'm going try to build one like that , Thanks for some of the info on it also you played it very good .

[@ukekeysandbees]

Cool banjo and excellent playing there Clifton, we have lots of 'John Grey' banjos advertised here, they are light and loud, I like them.

[@mikehaisell4301]

I have the same exact banjo but mine is fretless! R A Sanders.

[@TobiasC-mg4zk]

The A&N sticker in the head is from Army and Navy Stores that were an English company that sold camping and outdoor gear. They did sell stencil made banjos that were branded for them. I wouldn’t assume that that banjo was sold at that store. It’s possible that the head was a replacement bought there as A&N were post WW1 and I’m gonna guess that these banjos are 1860s or a bit later.

[@rudigervolke3995]

SUPER ! THANK YOU !

[@itsobvious5835]

That is cool. Sounds great too.

[@kajchannelm2867]

Could you do a quick video on how the tensioning system of the banjo works i would love to build something like this

[@kingbillycokebottle5484]

There's one I got me eye on down in Sydney that needs a new skin, when I get that figured out I'll come back and explain it. But it looks similar to a mountain banjo but the barrel is the tone ring.

[@kajchannelm2867]

@ thank you!

[@chieflow]

Love that first song you play, I tuned my banjo to you by ear and learned the bit you played--but what is the song called? Any full versions of it? Can't find it on the internets

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

That's "East Virginia" gDGCD. I learned it from George Gibson up in Knott County, Kentucky. Here's a full performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anK2XmamjbJoapI

[@chieflow]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Thank you! Much love from Shenandoah

[@DanDDirges]

If this one is for sale I would be interested. Very unique and sounds and looks great. Excellent playing btw.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I've got a potential buyer but it ain't sold yet!

[@DanDDirges]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo I got 3 bills (hundred) burning a hole in my pocket right now.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Sweet looking and sounding old banjo. This is the first one like it I've ever seen. Where do you find all these old banjos Clifton?

[@carmencampbell2645]

Great playing and singing! I just bought an R A Sanders and hope it sounds as good as this one! We’re you ever able to substantiate the association with kohler & sons claim?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I don't remember anything about Kohler & Sons. Only marking on this banjo was _A.&N.S.L_ (Army & Navy Stores, Limited).

[@carmencampbell2645]

Mine has a back (resonator) still installed. No fret markers at all on mine. I have noted that the neck was marked R A sanders in 3 different locations (under the fingerboard, on the dowel and on the side of the headstock)

[@JohnyG29]

Love it! Is it for sale?

[@joeydavenport9190]

Hey Clifton....wondering if you might have any HC Dobson’s for sale or trade?

[@eliolira1798]

do you have a neck template

[@davestambaugh7282]

I heard about the six string banjos made in England. I believe six string banjos tuned like a guitar were rare if not non existent until Gibson made it their entry into the banjo market in nineteen twenty. Have you come across evidence of guitar banjo's prior to Gibson's?

[@1955mrjim]

Hi Clifton. I have a similar looking English banjo, possibly by the same maker. I discuss it on pages 16 and 17 of my second book, Collecting More Banjos. What ever became of the one you are playing? Did you sell it or keep it?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I sold that banjo to a friend in Pennsylvania.

[@1955mrjim]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo, I got mine from Flatfoot Johnny Deller, a friend in England. He makes some very cool banjos-check him out online.

[@joehornung892]

Neck is not oak. I bought one while in England, George Gibson has it now.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Yes, I think he's hanging onto that one you brought back.

[@Timbyte]

whats this tune you've played in the second half of this video? (and whats the tuning?) thank you.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I started out picking "Cuckoo" then transitioned into "Cluck Old Hen." gDGCD. I learned both of those versions from George R. Gibson of Knott County, Kentucky.

[@kieranyoung6502]

Made by kohler and sons in westminster victoria st

[@kieranyoung6502]

can send info. i have one similar

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

@@kieranyoung6502 please do clifhicks(at)gmail(dot)com

[@earlyenglishbanjo]

Retailed by Kohler, Victoria Street, London. Not made by Kohler. Kohler made brass instruments and bought in other instruments they then sold under their label. As did examples retailed by Metzler & Co. and G. Butler & Sons but not manufactured by either of those London instrument sellers. Metzler & Co. manufactured pianos and G. Butler & Son manufactured brass instruments.

[@Red19UK]

I showed my mate this vid, he's a luthier and thinks the neck may be cherry.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Probably is. I was gonna say cherry but, Hell, I'd already mentioned two random hardwoods and figured it was time to shut up! Maple, walnut, cherry are three of the most commonly used.

[@Red19UK]

its a seriously nice bit of kit, all the best mate.