I mentioned a short while ago that I had bought an old banjo from a junk-shop in Rye. After a lot of internet research, I think it was made by W Temlett in or around 1880, so it's an oldie. I have started taking it to pieces now, and have photographed progress so far.
The banjo with the head and tuners removed
Detail showing mother of pearl heel
The zither banjo was arguably an english adaptation of the American instrument, based in itself on ideas from Africa. Whereas many banjos are 4 stringed, others are five stringed. The american style 5 string has a tuner halfway up the neck. The zither differs in that manufacturers decided they didn't like the asymmetry of this. They therefore came up with the idea of using a six tuner slotted guitar-style headstock, leaving one tuner unused and passing the fifth string through a brass tube channel under the fingerboard exiting in the left hand slot on the headstock. I will tell you whether this works when I have sorted it out.
The business end of the fifth string channel
Damage to the veneer and body
Old, knackered and rusted tuners, freed up with amazing WD40
Will be updating as and when. Watch this space.
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