Wayfaring Stranger on the Stromberg cuppo-phone banjo

I saw a tone ring from one of these several years ago, that someone had put in the back of a tubaphone. I loved the sound and dreamed that I might some day run across one in a junk shop, and be able to buy it from someone who had no idea what it was. I even tried making one out of a brass cymbal and some 45 caliber pistol shells..
I never even in my wildest dreams, imagined I'd own a real Stromberg.

Now that I do, I may be spoiled beyond repair. Not sure if I can go back to playing gas cans..

There were 500 of these made with the cuppo-phone tone ring, between 1910 and the late 20's. Some guess that theres maybe 200 in existence today. The Strombergs were a family of luthiers and cabinet makers, and I find it interesting that one history has Elmer Stromberg, who patented the cuppo-phone tone ring in 1926 listed in the census records as a mechanic..

What more fitting banjo for a motor head like me to own than one that sprung from a mechanics mind...

The Strombergs were originally built as 4 string banjos.

My friend, George Lowander, designed, selected the wood for, and commissioned Bob Anderson to build the 5 string neck. Its made of coco bolo, ebony, & maple. Its a bit wider and shorter than a normal 5 string. I prefer short neck banjos, and have converted a few tenor banjos to 5 string specifically for this reason but the fingering on these tend to be pretty tight.

The wide neck on this one allows the string to be spread a bit more, so its easier to get my fat fingers on them without disturbing their neighbors.

Im going to put a clear head on it, so you can see the beautiful cuppo-phone tone ring, then play it again on Youtube. Just waiting for the head to arrive.

I should say this too. Without the generosity of my friend and old time banjo enthusiast George, I would never have been able to have this thing. Thanks George..

I'll say this too. The clarity and tone of this thing is amazing. Like a piano. I handle it with great care, having never owned anything so rare or fine. I'm probably not the quality of banjo player this instrument deserves, but guess I'll just take good care of it for now. One thing about banjos. They outlast us.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Wayfaring
• Stranger
• banjo
• Stromberg
• cuppo-phone
• 5-string
• claw
• hammer
• open
• back
• drop
• thumb
• frailing

[MrRDizzle79]

awesome brother, just awesome

[rpeek]

@MrRDizzle79 thank You..

[graiypz]

wow i love this. hope you have a happy new year and that ya had good holidays. hope you and yours are in good health and spirits :)

[rpeek]

@graiypz Thank You very much. You too!

[guttfunk]

just out of curiosity, would you happen to know if this Elmer Stromberg was a Swedish immigrant? (Strömberg)

cheers from Sweden!

[rpeek]

@guttfunk I don't know but Vinny Mondello has a web site all about Stromberg banjos with a lot of historical data. You might find out there.. Just Google Stromberg Banjo

[mallory161]

Your clawhammer is banjo is AWESOME ... I really like ...

[Guigley]

There is nothing like a banjo. Awesome playing, man.

[moonstonesandhoney]

This is insane. I wish my dad was as cool as you.

You should play some Bob Dylan covers. :)

[WO7B]

Good on ya.....

[drmgui]

@guttfunk His father Charles was. You can read some of their story here - 4stringbanjos