WS19-11

Nelsen                         Un-designated model                             5 String Piccolo Banjo

 

S/N: None                    1880s                           8 ½ x 16 3/8 “                          3 1/4 lb.

 

Fully original except the tailpiece

 

Condition: Excellent.

 

Background: As banjo popularity soared in the 1880s, musical arrangements were written in four parts and the piccolo banjo was made to play the soprano parts. Rims are usually around 7" in diameter with necks to scale. Like those by most makers, Nelsen (also spelled Nelson) piccolos are quite rare and very few had tone rings or any model designation.

The H. C. Nelsen Co. was one of several Chicago firms making banjos in the late 1800s. The additional name stamped on the dowel stick, “Wm. Becker, Chicago”, is thought to be a company that distributed instruments for Nelsen. I suspect this is a quite early piccolo due to the nub of dowel stick protruding thru the rim which is notched on its lower side to accommodate the wire or gut that tied on the tailpiece. 

 

About this instrument:

1) Attractive hardware inside and outside the pot.

2) Protruding dowel stick as mentioned above.

 

Click to enlarge: