banjokinguk - Posted - 12/16/2016:  06:31:26

anyone know how much it's worth? 

Edited by - banjokinguk on 12/16/2016 06:33:29

DHopkins - Posted - 12/16/2016:  19:22:51

There are lots of variables: age, condition, playability, etc.

I'm guessing it's at least 70 years old.  I think they quit making them in the mid 40s.  Dallas banjos were made in London, if I'm not mistaken. Assuming it's in at least average condition, it's MIGHT be worth at least 600 dollars or almost 500 pounds.

banjokinguk - Posted - 12/17/2016:  00:22:19

really? thats great,who wants to buy it?

DHopkins - Posted - 12/17/2016:  10:34:35

Well, not me. First, I don't play the banjo. Second, I would never buy any instrument sight unseen and especially from someone I don't know. Your best bet is to have someone knowledgeable in banjos look at it and give you and honest opinion as to is condition, etc. and general price range and then advertise it in an appropriate forum. This forum is primarily for mandolins but something should be available. Nothing in your profile shows where you live but I'm guessing the United Kingdom. On this side of the pond, we have numerous on-line places to sell almost anything. If you're in the UK, I'm sure you do, too. I would try to sell it there and not in another country. There are numerous regulations dealing with endangered woods (CITES or Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) that may limit where you can ship the instrument if, in fact, it is old and has wood that might now be considered endangered. Different countries have different restrictions on the importation and exportation of rare woods.

Since you don't know anything about the banjo, find someone who does to minimize the chances of being victimized.

And, that price I mentioned earlier was a very, very rough GUESS. Don't use that as an indicator of the banjo's value. See an expert.

bradlaird - Posted - 01/05/2017:  13:38:53

David might be right. He pops in with some good info here but here is my two-cents worth...

The problem with banjo mandolins, in general, is that very few folks want them as "players". I've been playing for 40 years and have never seen one in actual use at a performance. I have seen a few dragged out at jam sessions. No matter how nice an instrument it just seems like nobody plays them. Yeah, quite a few mandolin or banjo nuts pick them up as curios. I have been guilty of that. The top of my old piano has two banjo ukes and decent old banjo mandolin collecting dust.

Years ago I made a short 5-string neck for one so our banjo player's young son could have something to play. Some folks, if they have decent pots, turn them into frailers.

I confess that I know nothing of "Dallas" banjos but my gut tells me that it is worth a lot less than David's guess. Maybe someone will prove me wrong but if it were some weird old 5 string or a wooden mandolin you might have more interest. My advice would be to slap some new strings on it, learn to play it and annoy the neighbors with it. That is worth more than money.