Work Page 8-2020
Chas.A. Stromberg Tenor Banjo
Doris "Dot" Marie Long
born 1905.
Me watching Dot play banjo at probably a Christmas party at her house. I’m sure I was singing along with her whatever ditty she was playing. This would’ve been in the 60’s.
The Long family grew up in Lowell, MA. Dennis Long owned a newspaper there.
Dot graduated from Simmons College in Boston in 1926. It was while at Simmons her father, Denny A. Long purchased the banjo for her. She always told me stories about college parties and speakeasy's and how exciting it was to “almost get caught”
She was married to Dick Lawton . Dick was from Mass. She had 2 boys with him, John (1930) and then Bob, my dad (1931).
Sandra Lawton
born 1905.
Me watching Dot play banjo at probably a Christmas party at her house. I’m sure I was singing along with her whatever ditty she was playing. This would’ve been in the 60’s.
The Long family grew up in Lowell, MA. Dennis Long owned a newspaper there.
Dot graduated from Simmons College in Boston in 1926. It was while at Simmons her father, Denny A. Long purchased the banjo for her. She always told me stories about college parties and speakeasy's and how exciting it was to “almost get caught”
She was married to Dick Lawton . Dick was from Mass. She had 2 boys with him, John (1930) and then Bob, my dad (1931).
Sandra Lawton
19 fret Tenor
Nickel plated - non-engraved
Waverly tailpiece
Waverly tuning pegs
Elton Armrest
Rare variant- White Holly, not rosewood
Double concentric rings
10-15/16" rim
Mixed marquetry
Clean-dress frets- seal inlays-setup on clear head-CGDA
Nickel plated - non-engraved
Waverly tailpiece
Waverly tuning pegs
Elton Armrest
Rare variant- White Holly, not rosewood
Double concentric rings
10-15/16" rim
Mixed marquetry
Clean-dress frets- seal inlays-setup on clear head-CGDA
I will start these pics at the cleaning process.
All hardware was buffed and waxed
Plating still in VG cond.
This instrument has no stamping of "Marimba" or "Deluxe" on the dowel, just the Metal plate.
Being a round hole flange model, makes it the older design.
So it is what we would call a "Non catalog" model.
What interested me in this banjo was its White Holly construction and mixtures of marquetry that I have not seen before.
Those that know Stromberg know that each is unique in some way and the wood selection is unusual, and very neat.
The inlay pattern as usual, has no rhyme or reason.
Some are fancy, some are just abalone shapes
The drilled dots are a new look for me, that has never shown up on models I have owned or repaired.
I do not intend to re-finish it for the time I own it, wishing to keep it as original as I can.
Sealed the inlays that needed it, dressed the original frets.
Sealed 2 small cracks in the fingerboard at the end.
Added engraving wax to the inlay lines that were not too worn, for definition
I installed a new REMO clear head and since it was owned by a lady, the GHS Johnny Baier strings with the pink chenille was a fitting choice in tribute to "Dot"
Tuned it to pitch, good neck , normal relief, good action and very good tone.
So good in fact, that I might have to sell another Stromberg, just to keep it.
Original HSC in VG shape
Now...in the last pic of the banjo before the case pics you see a little red dot in a zip lock bag.
This was being used as a shim under the dowel, to elevate the neck. I paid no attention, I have seen many things used besides wood.
Luckily, I saw writing on it that caught my eye that said OPA / 1 point (shown in next pic)
To find out what this is, go here
Old folks will think its cool!
And maybe some young folks too
It will ride along as case candy for future generations
Thanks to Sandra, for allowing me to purchase it and to get Dot's banjo back into shape again
She played it hard, and often so her battle scars will be left as a testament to those who love "patina"
Thanks for looking, sharing, inquiring
Vinnie
All hardware was buffed and waxed
Plating still in VG cond.
This instrument has no stamping of "Marimba" or "Deluxe" on the dowel, just the Metal plate.
Being a round hole flange model, makes it the older design.
So it is what we would call a "Non catalog" model.
What interested me in this banjo was its White Holly construction and mixtures of marquetry that I have not seen before.
Those that know Stromberg know that each is unique in some way and the wood selection is unusual, and very neat.
The inlay pattern as usual, has no rhyme or reason.
Some are fancy, some are just abalone shapes
The drilled dots are a new look for me, that has never shown up on models I have owned or repaired.
I do not intend to re-finish it for the time I own it, wishing to keep it as original as I can.
Sealed the inlays that needed it, dressed the original frets.
Sealed 2 small cracks in the fingerboard at the end.
Added engraving wax to the inlay lines that were not too worn, for definition
I installed a new REMO clear head and since it was owned by a lady, the GHS Johnny Baier strings with the pink chenille was a fitting choice in tribute to "Dot"
Tuned it to pitch, good neck , normal relief, good action and very good tone.
So good in fact, that I might have to sell another Stromberg, just to keep it.
Original HSC in VG shape
Now...in the last pic of the banjo before the case pics you see a little red dot in a zip lock bag.
This was being used as a shim under the dowel, to elevate the neck. I paid no attention, I have seen many things used besides wood.
Luckily, I saw writing on it that caught my eye that said OPA / 1 point (shown in next pic)
To find out what this is, go here
Old folks will think its cool!
And maybe some young folks too
It will ride along as case candy for future generations
Thanks to Sandra, for allowing me to purchase it and to get Dot's banjo back into shape again
She played it hard, and often so her battle scars will be left as a testament to those who love "patina"
Thanks for looking, sharing, inquiring
Vinnie
