A. F. Eibel (Malden, MA) 5-string banjo Circa 1890’s
Eibel was an obscure maker from the Boston area
(this banjo is from Malden, MA, and another one in my collection is from
Reading, MA), but his banjos are made to the same quality standards as the
Fairbanks and Cole instruments and they are quite interesting in other ways.
This banjo is obviously patterned after a F&C "Imperial" banjo from the same
period, with a half-spun wood rim, an extended fretboard, and beautiful saw-cut
inlays
.
Note, however, that the bracket nuts are countersunk, as shown in the
picture below. This is one of the first attempts to provide a smooth
resonating surface on the interior of the rim. The six Eibel banjos in my
collection are among the only complete examples extant, to my knowledge. Please
let me know if you know of others.
