"Taylor of Liverpool" Born in Retford, Nottinghamshire, to a father who was a sadle and harness maker he initially became a Gun Smith and in 1881 aged 23 he was living in Leeds Yorkshire. The 1891 census shows Walter Taylor at 142 Kirkdale Road, Liverpool, banjo maker and twenty years later with his wife and son as 'assistants in business' Examples of his innovative metal working as well as wood working skills, clearly learned in the Gun Smith trade are evident in his unique instruments. Research courtesy of John Bolton Images of the interesting fretless Taylor banjo courtesy of Richard Evans Imagest of another courtesy of Vic Wilcox both with all metal pots next maker Walter Taylor 1858 -

In 1881 Thomas William Fowle is recorded as an Instrument Maker in Pheasant Road, Rocherster, Kent and zither banjos by him have occasionally come onto the market. 10 years later he had moved to 143 King Street and he moved again to 4 King Street Rochester in 1911 when he was widowed. An Edward J Fowle, possibly a relation was both a musician and teacher working out of 11 Union Street, in nearby Chatham, Kent in 1891. TW Fowle c1846-c1920 next maker

... of New York City was a banjo-making associate of Charles Morrell around about the 1860’s. Together they went to California during the boom times after the gold rush of 1849. Jan 2014: The attached pictures are from a banjo which is currently under investigation further information to come. Pictures courtesy of Bill Emery Thomas W Bree next maker

From about 1850 the Dobson brothers in America had as much to do with the keeping up of interest in the banjo as anyone. .. except perhaps SS Stewart. As performers, teachers and instrument makers their names became household words wherever the instrument was played even touring the UK in the 1860s. Charles Edgar Dobson was the inventor of the “closed back” banjo based on a design by Henry, which was awarded first prize at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. The instrument can justifiably be claimed as the forerunner of the closed back zither banjo invented by Temlett and perfected by Cammeyer . It should be noted that Temlett’s close back banjo patent application was never granted. Charles E Dobson 1839 to 1910 next maker

... of 344 Broome Street, New York, N.Y. advertised thenselves as “Manufacturer of High Grade Musical Instruments.” including “Puntolillo’s Famous Banjos”. The were granted a patent on designs for a Tone Chamber in the early 1920's ( June 2nd 1920 ). See Majestic Guitars for more information on this maker Pictures courtesy of Anthony Marchitelli Gaetano Fransisco Puntolillo 1880 .. next maker

In the June issue of “The Cadenza” it notes that EN Guckert, of Toledo, Ohio is the owner of the Union Music Co, “ a concern which manufacturers the ‘Duplex” banjos and publishes chord books for stringed instruments. Guckert wrote and published a chord book in 1919 and 2 years later this was followed by a tenor-banjo chord method, but it is doubtful when he actually manufactured instruments. Duplex Do you have a banjo by this maker? can you supply us some images? next maker

During the dance-band boom of the early 1920s Hawkes & Co. of London marketed banjos bearing their name, these instruments were made for them by J.G. Abbott & Co. In 1930 the firm was incorporated with Boosey & Co. to become Boosey & Hawkes Ltd. Hawkes & Co. Do you have a pre 1940's banjo by this maker? can you supply us some images? next maker

In 1897 Messrs Rettburg and Lange took over the factory and banjo making plant of JH Buckbee and established a factory at 383 Second Avenue, New York City. By 1903 they had moved to 115-121 East 13th Street and from this address in 1908 they announced the production of their “Orpheum” range of banjos. Three years later they were able to announce that increasing business had made then seek even larger premises at 225-227 East 24th Street. In January 1915 they advertised their “Brass Band Orpheum” – an new banjo with 29 frets (to high G) . The neck on this instrument was joined to the hoop at the 20th fret with a fret board extension over the velum carrying the extra 9 frets. July 1918 saw the debut of the “Orpheum Plectrum banjo” and a new 5 string with a long fifth string tuned to an octave below the third string (this banjo was similar to the Vega banjo Brent Hayes had played for some years). It was in August 1920 that the company was granted a US patent for its new “Paramount” banjo and this new instrument (designed by William L Lange) made its first appearance in 1921. In 1922 William took over sole control of the company and changed the title to Wm L Lange. In September of that year he announced (as “successor to Rettberg & Lange) six styles of the “Paramount” banjos. “Paramount” banjos became world famous and were much sought after by all the leading dance-band players. The five spacious floors at East 24th Street accommodated over 250 workers making banjos and included its own plating shop. It was during this period that Wm D Bowen tested all banjos leaving the factory. In November 1922 Lange made what was said to be the World’s largest banjo. It was for the Paul Whiteman orchestra and is said to have cost $500. The instrument weighed 35 pounds and was five feet long. The hoop was 24” in diameter and the neck 3 feet long and was playable! In the early part of 1925 the Lange factory bought out a cheaper model instrument with the name of “Langstile” and this incorporated a resonator made of metal and mahogany. Such was the demand for this cheaper instrument that it was produced at a second factory located in Brooklyn where instruments (notably the “Challenger” and the “Artcraft” range) were also made for other manufacturers and retailers to sell. All manufacturing ceased in 1939. The Challenger Melody King and the Challenger Victory were both manufacctured by William Lange the builder of Paramounts, Orpheums, Langstiles, Langecraft, Broadcraft and many more for various stores. The Melody King model was a bottom end professional level model which sold for $135 in the late 20's, $5 more than a Paramount A. Langstile Tenor models, sometimes with a Supertone name were made for Sears by Lange. Images courtesy of Vincent Hadus W M Lange next maker

The zither-banjos stamped on the heel "Made by J. Newel, 402 High Street, Manor Park" S London were in fact made by Windsors . They were the standard "shoulder" model made by Windsor, sold at the same price, but without the Windsor name on them minus the '“Castle" nameplate in the centre of the back of the hoop. Newell was a successful player and teacher. J Newel Do you have a pre 1940's banjo by this maker? can you supply us some images? next maker

Do you have a pre 1940's banjo by this maker? can you supply us some images? next maker ... had begun to teach the banjo in 1881 and had first met AO Windsor in 1885 whilst trying to find a good banjo of English make to sell to-his pupils. They did business together for some time before entering into a deed of partnership. It was at this time the firm of Windsor & Taylor started to make open-back banjos. In January they organised the Birmingham B.M. & G. Orchestra which gave its first public concert in March of that year. These concerts became regular affairs (at which the leading soloists of the day appeared) and the orchestra also visited such places as Coventry, Leamington, Liverpool, London etc. . In 1901, Taylor left the firm. Banjos with the logo of " Taylor Liverpool " have been seen but it appear that these are two different makers as the 1911 census shows the former still living in Birmingham. Arthur John Taylor 1861 to ..

J H Williamson 1856 to ... next maker .. little is known of this maker working out of 52 Park Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire in 1891. This fretless instrument however is very interesting with regard to both the neck clamp; and the make up of the neck which is of four laminations including the main wood, English Yew, which is not known for it's consistent grain. A C Dawson was teaching banjo out of 2 Castle Street, Lincoln in 1897. See Hardy for another maker of Lincoln.