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More Details

The following specs were provided by our repair and appraisal teams. 

For a more detailed description please call (517) 372-7880.

  • No SN
  • c.2003
  • Strung with Aquila Nylgut strings (could take steel strings if desired)
  • ~10-½” rim with skin head
  • ~26" scale, 1-9/32" nut
  • Mother-of-Pearl buttons on 5 mechanical friction pegs
  • Vintage Weymann nuts and (probably) hooks
  • Metal-spun Weymann rim
  • Floral engraving on the outside of the rim
  • Decorative engraving on the tension hoop
  • Fine wood marquetry on the inside of the rim
  • Vintage tailpiece with carved bone flower
  • 2-piece neck with sharp V-profile
  • Small shim at end of neck
  • Pearl engraved maker’s plate on dowel stick (D.L UNGER)
  • “BERNUNZIO” inlaid into back of dowel stick (this is a custom banjo built for dealer John Bernunzio)
  • With recent hard shell case (green lining)

Doug Unger Presentation Open Back Banjo (c.2003)

Doug Unger Presentation Open Back Banjo (c.2003)

Intl. Fees
AS-IS
Used

SKU: 60U-222819

Regular price $10,500 USD
Regular price Sale price $10,500.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Experience the Elderly Difference

Here is a stunning homage to the Fairbanks banjos of the 1890s by master craftsman Doug Unger. Doug made this neck to mate with a Weymann c.1900 top-of-the-line rim (described below) as a personal custom order for dealer John Bernunzio. Every deluxe feature imaginable appears on this neck. The beautifully engraved pearl inlays in the ivoroid-bound Weymann shaped headstock and neck are reminiscent of the best work from Icilio Consalvi (the Italian immigrant who set the standard for instrument engraving on Fairbanks and other Boston-made banjos beginning in the 1890s). You may want to feast your eyes on the detail in the attached photos of the headstock (front and back - with ebony back-strapping) and ivoroid-bound ebony fretboard. Catch your breath a little and observe the unique carving on the Cole-style boat-shaped heel. While you’re looking at the back of the banjo, note the metal-spun Weymann rim.  Very few of these Weymann top-of-the-line open back banjos are known to exist, and most have similar marquetry and somewhat varied elegant engraving.

This product is in Fair Condition (Learn More)

Condition Notes: Could benefit from a dowel stick reset, but action and playability are good. (This item is sold As-Is)
More Details

More Details

The following specs were provided by our repair and appraisal teams. 

For a more detailed description please call (517) 372-7880.

  • No SN
  • c.2003
  • Strung with Aquila Nylgut strings (could take steel strings if desired)
  • ~10-½” rim with skin head
  • ~26" scale, 1-9/32" nut
  • Mother-of-Pearl buttons on 5 mechanical friction pegs
  • Vintage Weymann nuts and (probably) hooks
  • Metal-spun Weymann rim
  • Floral engraving on the outside of the rim
  • Decorative engraving on the tension hoop
  • Fine wood marquetry on the inside of the rim
  • Vintage tailpiece with carved bone flower
  • 2-piece neck with sharp V-profile
  • Small shim at end of neck
  • Pearl engraved maker’s plate on dowel stick (D.L UNGER)
  • “BERNUNZIO” inlaid into back of dowel stick (this is a custom banjo built for dealer John Bernunzio)
  • With recent hard shell case (green lining)
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