1860s Ashborn Guitar & Edmund Valentine Banjo?
Added 2018-08-04 12:59:19 +0000 UTC"Son, if you can't sing her don't pick her." - Gran Hudson
Keep an eye out for updates on this beautiful c. 1860 James Ashborn guitar. As soon as I get the original case restored this instrument will be FOR SALE--$860 shipping included (+extra if buyer lives in California, NY, NJ Europe or elsewhere).
PS Has anyone ever heard of Edmund Valentine? Any help identifying this unusual 1880s-1890s banjo would be much appreciated.
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If the freight train wrecks got a mule to ride (x2)
I won't have to catch her cause she's already tied,
She's on the road somewhere (x2)
Well I got me a woman on the road somewhere.
Curly-head woman won't treat me right (x2)
She sleeps all day walks the streets at night,
She's on the road somewhere (x2)
Well I got me a woman on the road somewhere.
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Comments
Very, very interesting to me. It is a nice banjo, could easily have been someone's professional picker when built new.
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-04 23:05:28 +0000 UTCThat would be really cool. It could have been a performer. Also, the "Edmund Valentine" platelet could have been added aftermarket by someone other than Schall...
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-04 23:05:03 +0000 UTCA guy with the last name of Valentine either real or stage name, with the hearts inlayed might be the type of personality and "Ladies man" to have a custom banjo ordered. Lol đ
Alan
2018-08-04 22:58:35 +0000 UTCI wonder if your Valentine could be one of his custom ones for a performer with their name on it?
Alan
2018-08-04 22:51:09 +0000 UTCWow, thanks.
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-04 22:43:46 +0000 UTCHere is the newspaper article. You have to find it on the page and zoom in. <a href="https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1907-10-06/ed-1/seq-9/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1907-10-06/ed-1/seq-9/</a>#words=B+J+Schall&date1=1890&date2=1922&searchType=advanced&lccn=&proxdistance=5&state=&rows=20&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=j.b.+schall&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&index=5
Alan
2018-08-04 22:38:46 +0000 UTCIf you can remember where you found that info please let us know. Great to learn details about this maker. L.O.L. poor guy, at least I know now this banjo is for sure pre-1895!
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-04 22:22:31 +0000 UTCYeah, I have that book too, an no mention on him there. I read somewhere that he didn't have the best business practices, or could have become a much bigger shop. Also had a stroke while at his peak, closed his shop from like 1895 to 1905 or so, then died in 1907 in a theater while listening to performers playing his banjos. There is an old newspaper article about his death. I thought it was funny because he was in his 50s and they were talking about him being an old man. Guess he was for 1907 standards.
Alan
2018-08-04 22:20:25 +0000 UTCHere's Alan's post from Youtube: "Hey Clifton. I think I know what your banjo is. The main telling factor is the 5th string nut. How there is a bump out. I believe it is a J. B. Schall out of Chicago. Don't think I have seen anyone else do that. They are fairly rare. Peghead, bracket shoes, and nuts also appear Schall. I don't really see anything Lyon Healy there. I have a high end Schall I am restoring that has very similar features. He also sold parts to people and they rebranded or finish assembled and put their brands on them. Schall was on quality scale match SS Stewart's and Fairbanks. There was an interesting story about his death too. I have researched him quite a bit. The wider neck is also how Schall did them. Lyon Healy's I've had are narrower. Google Schall and Waldo (made by schall) the Schall Imperial model is a very close match to yours. Mine is branded Wesley from Jenkins music here in KC. That guitar is awesome too. Ashburn banjos were very interesting.ï»ż"
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-04 21:37:40 +0000 UTCHey, Clifton. I just posted a lengthy response on YouTube about your banjo. I'm almost certain it's a JB Schall. I have one too.
Alan
2018-08-04 21:08:36 +0000 UTCSeth email me clifhicks(at)gmail(dot)com I have on guy coming to look at it tomorrow or Monday and one more in Nashville who say's he might buy. But these guys might flake on me, happens all the time.
Clifton Hicks
2018-08-04 20:16:50 +0000 UTCClifton I would love to buy that guitar from you. I can't figure out how to message you on here but if there is a way I would appreciate it if you could message me. Thanks.
Seth DeMuth
2018-08-04 18:41:27 +0000 UTCI know nothing about these instruments, but they're both magnificent, truly magnificent. I never knew I'd be this much into instruments, it's a joy to hear what was common at the time in certain instruments and the like and I appreciate you telling their stories. The head on that guitar is something I have ever seen before, that's super neat! With the strings attached to where they are, very cool. Thank you.
Luka Jovanovic
2018-08-04 15:32:32 +0000 UTCThis peaked my interest to read a bit on Ashborn. He seemed to be way ahead of his time! A maker for the people. Makes me think of what Henry Ford did for the automobile. Great sound on that guitar too. If I had the money, I would seriously consider it. Best of luck selling these instruments, Clifton.
Mike Rebitzke
2018-08-04 15:13:45 +0000 UTC
