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Gibson Five-String Banjo, used by Wade Ward

National Museum of American History

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Object Details

Gibson Co.
Description

This banjo was made by Gibson Inc. in Kalamazoo, Michigan around 1935. It is a Five-String Banjo, with 22 frets, 24 brackets, pearloid inlaid on fingerboard and back of resonator, and a maple hoop. In a 1934 Gibson catalog, this "RB-11" style banjo sold for $60.00. Although it was one of the less expensive Gibson models it produced a loud and clear tone. This banjo is marked

THE
Gibson
GIBSON INC.
KALAMAZOO
MICH.

Benjamin Wade Ward of Independence, Virginia one of the most admired traditional banjo players of this century owned this banjo. Ward performed with the Galax, Virginia group the “Bog Trotters” often providing entertainment during auctions and other local events. The “Bog Trotters” were comprised of “Uncle” Alec Dunford, fiddle, Dr. W.P. Davis, autoharp, “Uncle” Davy Crockett Ward, second fiddle, Wade Ward, banjo, and Fields Ward, guitar. On Tuesday, January 9th, 1940, the group performed for the American School of the Air broadcast from WDBJ radio studio in Roanoke, Virginia. The CBS American School of the Air programs were written and directed by Alan Lomax.

Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Estate of Wade Ward through Dorothy Heffinger
1932-1938
ca 1935
ID Number
MI.72.01
accession number
297200
catalog number
72.01
Object Name
banjo
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
animal skin (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 38 1/4 in x 13 3/4 in x 3 1/2 in; 97.155 cm x 34.925 cm x 8.89 cm
place made
United States: Michigan, Kalamazoo
See more items in
Cultural and Community Life: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Banjos
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_605688
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-3d51-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

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