5-string banjo
Maker
Henry C. Dobson
Date1853-1867 ca.
Place MadeNew York, New York, United States, North America
SignedBranded on dowel stick: H. C. DOBSON MAKERSDescriptionNeck: walnut
Peghead: walnut; integral with neck
Fingerboard: rosewood veneer; made by Andy Fein
Heel cap: none
Head: imitation calf skin; installed and antiqued by Andy Fein
Tone ring: none
Rim: ash
Bracket hooks: 16 silver-painted steel
Shoes: 16 brass
Tension hoop: silver-painted steel
Dowel stick: walnut
Nut: ebony; 5th string nut rosewood
Tuners: five ebony violin pegs with concave heads; installed by Andy Fein
Tailpiece: nickel-plated steel
Finish: medium brown varnish on rim
DimensionsTotal instrument length: 884 mm (34-13/16”)
Vibrating string length – long strings: 625 mm (24-5/8”)
Vibrating string length – 5th string: 423 mm (16-21/32”)
Total fingerboard length: 374 mm (14-23/32”)
Fingerboard length from 5th-string nut: 174 mm (6-27/32”)
Fingerboard width at top nut: 39 mm (1-17/32”)
Fingerboard width at 5th-string nut: 53 mm (2-3/32”)
Neck width at body: 61 mm (2-13/32”)
Head diameter: 293 mm (11-17/32”)
Rim depth: 76 mm (3”)
ProvenanceGift of Andy Fein, Fein Violins, St. Paul, Minnesota, 2020. Donor purchased banjo from Mandolin Brothers, Staten Island, NY, ca. 1976.
Published ReferencesSheets, Arian. "American Minstrel-era banjo by Henry C. Dobson acquired by NMM." _National Music Museum Newsletter_ 45, no. 1 (Winter 2021): 6,
Credit LineGift of Andy Fein, 2020
Object number15554
On View
On view
