Quick Links:
Alvarez
Aria
Epiphone
Fender
GTR
Ibanez
Iida
Saga
Sho-Bud
Tokai
Ventura
Gold Star
October 25, 2008 - After five years, the number of good vintage Japanese banjos appearing on
eBay has diminished to a trickle. It is no longer worth my time to track these
aggressively. I will continue to pay attention to eBay sales of Vintage Gold
Stars.
This is a list of some of the better Japanese-made 5-string banjos
that sold on eBay. I include models with a selling price of at least $500 or
that have some interesting quality.
I do not appraise. Please do not ask me what your banjo is worth - I don't
know.
Alvarez
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
07/17/03 |
405 |
Minstrel |
|
|
Varied |
|
|
04/11/04 |
799 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
pretty; Schaller Ds; Kulesh; T&P Flange |
01/25/05 |
795 |
Denver Belle |
1976 |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Pittman 5th capo |
02/08/05 |
735 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Keith Tuners, worn |
03/17/05 |
490 |
Minstrel |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Keith Tuners, VG+ |
03/27/05 |
600 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
Carved neck, case worn exterior |
03/29/05 |
795 |
Artist |
1978 |
B787903 |
Vine |
|
Blond; T&P flange |
04/01/05 |
515 |
Silver Princess |
70s |
|
Snowflake |
|
Open-back; Pittman capo |
05/07/05 |
606 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
52438 |
Flying Eagle |
|
Holes where capo was installed |
06/02/05 |
585 |
Silver Belle |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
|
11/28/05 |
858 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Some rust on hooks |
12/03/05 |
850 |
Whyte Eagle |
1984 |
1584 |
Whyte Eagle |
|
|
12/05/05 |
636 |
unknown |
70s |
|
Dotted Xs |
|
Heavy wear on gold finish; clunky tuners |
01/16/06 |
565 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
D-tuners; wear on low frets; played by pro |
01/26/06 |
681 |
Whyte Eagle |
1980 |
49124 |
Whyte Eagle |
|
Well-played but reasonably clean |
03/19/06 |
734 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Archtop. Questionable pedigree. |
03/27/06 |
535 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
Haze in resonator finish. |
03/29/06 |
880 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
|
04/22/06 |
800 |
Whyte Eagle |
80s |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
Milky resonator finish. |
05/01/06 |
609 |
Silver Princess |
70s |
6077 |
Snowflake |
|
Open-back |
05/17/06 |
711 |
Silver Princess |
70s |
|
Snowflake |
|
Open-back |
05/22/06 |
532 |
Silver Belle |
70s |
2559 |
Hearts & Flowers |
|
|
05/26/06 |
750 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
|
05/30/06 |
570 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
No photos |
06/06/06 |
510 |
Silver Princess |
70s |
6077 |
Snowflake |
|
11" tension hoop on a 10-7/8" rim |
06/16/06 |
577 |
Artist |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
|
06/28/06 |
1,000 |
Montana Belle |
1973 |
|
Dotted Xs |
|
Gold hardware, klunky tuners; inlaid resonator; crowned peghead. Price seems high for what is a basic model, just in gold. |
08/30/06 |
795 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
D-tuners |
10/22/06 |
660 |
Silver Princess |
70s |
|
Snowflake |
|
Looks Pristine |
12/10/06 |
510 |
|
70s |
|
Snowflake |
|
Brackets; clunky tuners; Schaller D-tuners. |
01/12/07 |
500 |
|
70s |
|
Bowtie |
|
Buyer overpaid; slots with ovals on flange; ugly peghead |
02/01/07 |
545 |
|
70s |
|
Dotted Xs |
|
Gold hardware, klunky tuners; inlaid resonator; crowned peghead. Probably a Montana Belle. |
02/18/07 |
668 |
Silver Princess |
70s |
6077 |
Snowflake |
|
Open-back |
02/22/07 |
585 |
Silver Belle |
70s |
3569 |
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Very clean. |
03/11/07 |
606 |
Silver Princess |
70s |
|
Snowflake |
|
Open-back. Very clean. |
03/23/07 |
720 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
80485 |
Flying Eagle |
|
Clean with some dings. |
04/04/07 |
611 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Clean. Appears well-used. |
04/04/07 |
611 |
|
1973 |
|
Bowtie |
|
Low-end pot, prob. one coord rod, friction pegs. Not worth reserve of $450. |
04/05/07 |
625 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
49350 |
Flying Eagle |
|
A little more wear than normal. |
04/11/07 |
850 |
Denver Belle |
1978 |
4300 |
Flying Eagle |
|
Belt marks on resonator. Pittman capo. |
04/30/07 |
625 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
49350 |
Flying Eagle |
|
Fingerboard wear, "inlay separation." 5 May sale did not go through. |
05/16/07 |
900 |
Whyte Eagle |
1976 |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
Waverly tailpiece, Pitman capo. Archtop. |
05/18/07 |
599 |
Silver Belle |
70s |
3308 |
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Looks clean. |
05/26/07 |
512 |
Minstrel |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Clean, with scratch on resonator |
05/27/07 |
827 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
Very clean. Archtop. |
06/06/07 |
535 |
Silver Belle |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Looks clean. |
06/17/07 |
443 |
Minstrel |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
May have sold low due to inlay design on resonator. |
06/20/07 |
810 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
|
07/29/07 |
560 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Very clean, almost unused. Pittman capo. |
08/13/07 |
825 |
Whyte Eagle |
1977 |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
Archtop. Looks very clean. |
10/07/07 |
500 |
Deluxe |
1973 |
|
Dots |
|
Low end with clunky tuners, inlaid resonator; gold hardware. |
10/30/07 |
810 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
1534 |
Flying Eagle |
|
Looks very clean. |
11/23/07 |
710 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Archtop. Looks very clean. |
11/25/07 |
685 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
16459 |
Whyte Eagle |
|
Archtop, but has "Kelly" flat top conversion ring. Original tailpiece broken. |
12/12/07 |
1,075 |
Denver Belle |
1985 |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Purchased new in 1985. Vintage uncertain. |
01/05/08 |
627 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
Archtop. Pitman capo. Vintage uncertain. Looks very clean. |
07/17/08 |
663 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
|
Whyte Eagle |
|
Archtop. Looks very clean. |
08/03/08 |
925 |
Whyte Eagle |
70s |
1139 |
Whyte Eagle |
|
FLAT TOP!. Not original resonator. Probably a conversion. |
08/17/08 |
675 |
Denver Belle |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Poor photos; hard to assess condition. |
02/04/09 |
586 |
Silver Belle |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Poor photos; hard to assess condition. |
Aria
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
07/23/03 |
600 |
Pro II |
'70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
|
08/05/03 |
400 |
Deluxe Pro |
'70s |
|
Bowtie |
|
|
10/11/03 |
465 |
|
'70s |
|
Vine |
|
|
12/15/03 |
465 |
|
'70s |
|
Vine |
|
|
12/21/04 |
600 |
Pro II |
70s |
|
Vine |
|
FANC engraved on armrest |
01/05/05 |
610 |
Pro II |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
|
01/30/05 |
570 |
Pro II Archtop |
70s |
|
Aria Archtop |
|
Archtop, clear head |
02/11/05 |
700 |
Pro II Archtop |
70s |
|
Aria Archtop |
|
|
02/21/05 |
732 |
Pro II Archtop |
1977 |
|
Aria Archtop |
|
Keith Tuners |
02/26/05 |
550 |
Pro II |
80s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
|
03/10/05 |
700 |
Pro II |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Schaller D Tuners |
03/23/05 |
510 |
Pro II Archtop |
70s |
|
Aria Archtop |
|
Shubb 5th capo |
04/14/05 |
600 |
Pro II |
70s |
|
Vine |
|
Spikes |
12/14/05 |
695 |
Pro II |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
|
06/24/06 |
681 |
Pro II Archtop |
70s |
|
Aria Archtop |
|
Pitman capo; very clean |
08/07/06 |
602 |
Pro II |
70s |
|
Vine |
|
Resonator may not be original |
02/22/07 |
700 |
Pro II Archtop |
70s |
|
Aria Archtop |
|
Hard do assess condition from photos. |
06/04/07 |
842 |
Pro II |
1977 |
|
Vine |
|
Poor photos. Pittman capo. |
07/04/07 |
735 |
Pro II |
70s |
|
Vine |
|
|
08/11/07 |
825 |
Pro II Archtop |
70s |
|
Aria Archtop |
|
Sullivan rim & tone ring, Price tailpiece. Originals not included. |
11/06/07 |
480 |
Pro II |
70s |
|
Vine |
|
Mis-identified in listing as plectrum; sold well under value. Signs of aging but looks okay. |
12/07/07 |
850 |
Pro II |
1977 |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Spikes at 7/9/12. BIN $950 nogo; BIN $850. |
04/08/08 |
644 |
Pro II Archtop |
70s |
|
Aria Archtop |
|
Carved heel, split wood resonator, laminated neck. Reasonably clean. |
09/19/08 |
938 |
Pro II Archtop |
1977 |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Looks clean. Seller claimed Keith tuners but they don't show in the photos. |
Epiphone
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
12/29/05 |
600 |
|
'90s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
"Gibson" vertical on rod cover |
01/01/06 |
585 |
|
'70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Shubb capo; Kershner tailpiece; "by Gibson" on peghead |
01/21/06 |
1,525 |
EB88 |
1964 |
201339 |
Parallelograms |
|
Cam tuners; friction 5th; single coordinator rod |
03/18/06 |
500 |
"Pete Seeger" |
70s |
118967 |
Dots |
|
Appears to have rim delamination at neck |
12/13/06 |
500 |
|
70s |
|
Dots |
|
Clunky tuners; dark neck, light reso. |
Fender
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
07/13/03 |
788 |
Artist |
'70s |
|
Star |
|
|
08/05/03 |
500 |
Leo Deluxe |
|
|
unknown |
|
|
08/09/03 |
400 |
Leo |
1979 |
|
Dots |
|
|
08/09/03 |
400 |
Leo |
|
|
Dots |
|
|
08/10/03 |
327 |
Leo |
1979 |
|
Dots |
|
|
05/18/04 |
838 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
|
Fender |
|
Keith Tuners |
07/07/04 |
769 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
240130 |
Fender |
|
|
10/16/04 |
430 |
Leo |
70s |
141359 |
Fender |
|
|
10/31/04 |
475 |
Leo |
70s |
86504 |
Dots |
|
|
12/04/04 |
406 |
Leo |
70s |
|
Dots |
|
|
02/04/05 |
999 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
470005 |
Fender |
|
|
02/27/05 |
467 |
Leo |
1978 |
86517 |
Dots |
|
Pitman capo |
03/23/05 |
500 |
Leo |
70s |
|
Dots |
|
Many accessories |
05/01/05 |
525 |
Leo |
70s |
|
Fender |
|
Very clean. Not Deluxe as listing said. |
09/09/05 |
700 |
Leo |
70s |
|
Fender |
|
|
10/11/05 |
1,233 |
Artist |
60s? |
5015 |
Fender |
|
Keith Tuners. No-hole tone ring. Non-matching resonator. Clean. |
11/10/05 |
561 |
Leo |
1981 |
824321 |
Fender |
|
|
11/20/05 |
570 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
447437 |
Fender |
|
Schaller D tuners |
12/10/05 |
556 |
Leo |
1981 |
|
Fender |
|
|
01/19/06 |
1,614 |
Artist |
60s |
4636 |
Fender |
|
|
01/21/06 |
800 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
241479 |
Fender |
|
Some wear on gold hardware |
01/21/06 |
499 |
Leo |
1981 |
702240 0881 |
Fender |
|
|
02/05/06 |
585 |
Leo |
70s |
|
Dots |
|
|
03/30/06 |
565 |
Leo |
70s |
806747 |
Fender |
|
Clean |
04/30/06 |
700 |
Leo Deluxe |
80s |
800047 |
Fender |
|
Almost Pristine |
04/30/06 |
501 |
Leo |
80s? |
|
Fender |
|
Clean |
05/07/06 |
599 |
Leo Deluxe |
80s |
192163 |
Fender |
|
Clean |
05/25/06 |
505 |
Leo |
70s |
44087 |
Fender |
|
|
06/27/06 |
820 |
Leo Deluxe |
80s |
815043 pot
1502 |
Fender |
|
Looks clean |
07/23/06 |
566 |
Leo Deluxe |
80s |
793285 |
Fender |
|
Reasonably clean, bargain price |
08/01/06 |
590 |
Leo |
80s |
8361xx |
Fender |
|
|
08/20/06 |
850 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
815xxx |
Fender |
|
Very clean. |
09/04/06 |
668 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
192756 |
Fender |
|
|
10/21/06 |
690 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
390 |
Fender |
|
Some signs of wear, poor photos |
11/19/06 |
838 |
Leo |
70s |
291 |
Fender |
|
Looks pristine. |
01/08/07 |
475 |
Leo |
70s |
|
Fender |
|
|
04/08/07 |
510 |
"Folk" |
|
A0072 |
Dots |
|
Long-neck, open-back model, Shubb capo. Crazing on entire neck. |
05/13/07 |
500 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
|
Fender |
|
Unknown 5th string capo; rim and resonator have holes for a Fishman banjo pickup. Horrible photos. |
05/21/07 |
899 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
233595 |
Fender |
|
Holes from removed 5th capo. Looks very clean. |
06/04/07 |
1,000 |
Artist |
60s |
4984 |
Fender |
|
Guitar tuners, unknown tone ring. |
06/22/07 |
810 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
|
Fender |
|
Sullivan pot and tone ring; originals included. |
06/30/07 |
755 |
Leo Deluxe |
70s |
414 |
Fender |
|
Fishman pickup; hole in resonator. |
08/05/07 |
570 |
Leo |
70s |
470075 |
Fender |
|
Looks very clean. Schaller D-tuners. |
09/29/07 |
750 |
Leo Deluxe |
1983 |
|
Fender |
|
|
01/04/08 |
526 |
Leo |
1982 |
4574 |
Fender |
|
Schaller D tuners; unidentified 5th-string capo. |
04/06/08 |
390 |
Leo |
70s |
836085 |
Fender |
|
Scratch on resonator, minimal wear. Bargain. |
04/06/08 |
1,000 |
Leo Deluxe |
1979 |
204 |
Fender |
|
Looks very clean. |
09/21/08 |
500 |
Leo |
70s |
180606 |
Fender |
|
Light scratches on resonator, one ding on neck, slightly tarnished hardware. |
02/02/09 |
560 |
Leo Deluxe |
1986 |
470921 |
Fender |
|
Beautiful condition. |
GTR
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
12/23/04 |
800 |
|
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
|
03/29/05 |
510 |
|
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Cam-style Scruggs Pegs |
06/21/06 |
962 |
|
1975 |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
|
08/26/06 |
1,425 |
|
1978 |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
|
01/06/07 |
255 |
|
|
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Shubb capo; horribly damaged and in need of further repair |
07/22/07 |
686 |
|
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Pittman capo. Elite Fiberskin head. Well-used, showing signs of fingerboard pitting. |
09/27/07 |
706 |
|
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Very clean. |
11/19/07 |
1,026 |
|
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Flipped. |
Ibanez
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
01/28/07 |
600 |
Artist |
70s |
FB62529 |
Wreath |
|
Well used but good conditon; Pitman capo; D-Tuners. Paintings on head. |
02/25/07 |
575 |
Woodsman |
70s |
H787433 |
Florentine-like |
|
See Mar 2005; changed hands twice. |
03/04/07 |
625 |
Artist |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Clean. |
03/21/07 |
767 |
Artist Tenor |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Beautiful condition. |
04/13/07 |
760 |
Artist |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Beautiful condition. |
04/22/07 |
647 |
Artist |
1976 |
E767838 |
Wreath |
|
Beautiful condition. |
05/03/07 |
535 |
Artist |
1976 |
H767136 |
Wreath |
|
Beautiful condition. Hairline flange crack. |
05/06/07 |
860 |
Artist (593FB) |
1977 |
|
Vine |
|
Beautiful condition. Shubb capo. Keith tuners, originals included. |
05/09/07 |
650 |
Artist |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Looks clean; hard to tell from photos. |
06/11/07 |
535 |
Artist |
70s |
FB60300? |
Wreath |
|
Schaller D-tuners; some wear on low frets; otherwise appears very clean. |
06/18/07 |
760 |
Artist |
1977 |
H787314 |
Vine |
|
Vine inlay on resonator; Presto tailpiece; one owner. |
07/09/07 |
567 |
Artist (591) |
70s |
J778047 |
Wreath |
|
Finish damage on resonator wall. Looks well-used. Blonde finish. |
07/31/07 |
566 |
Artist (589) |
1977 |
H7777?2 |
Flying Eagle |
|
Looks clean with new WeatherKing head. |
08/28/07 |
910 |
Artist |
1977 |
J767167 |
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Moon bridge. Looks very clean. |
11/16/07 |
687 |
Artist |
70s |
B787624 |
Wreath |
|
|
11/30/07 |
1,077 |
Artist |
70s |
C787700 |
Wreath |
|
Hybrid - Ibanez neck and resonator on a Sullivan pot with 3-ply rim. Looks good. |
07/27/08 |
621 |
Artist |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
|
10/07/08 |
1,000 |
Artist |
1978 |
H787212 |
Wreath |
|
Appears pristine. |
Iida (sometimes listed as "Lida," "Jida," "Gida" or "Aida")
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
08/06/03 |
550 |
239? |
|
|
Florentine |
|
"Aida" |
01/05/04 |
483 |
239 |
1979 |
M01639 |
Hearts & Flowers |
|
|
03/05/05 |
510 |
235-1 |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Shubb Capo |
02/02/06 |
565 |
233 |
1976 |
|
Leaves & Bows |
|
|
10/14/06 |
699 |
240 |
70s |
|
Wreath |
|
Some wear on gold, poor eBay photos |
02/06/07 |
820 |
239 |
1981 |
2019 |
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Very Clean |
03/26/07 |
855 |
FB-550L |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Excellent condition but could not see fretboard. Rare long neck folk model. |
05/22/07 |
661 |
FB-550L |
70s |
|
Flying Eagle |
|
Conditions appears excellent. Long-neck folk model. |
06/07/07 |
550 |
233 |
70s |
|
Leaves & Bows |
|
Pretty clean; one ding on resonator wall. |
06/24/07 |
511 |
239T |
1976 |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Tenor. |
11/01/07 |
522 |
239 |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Looks good, but has the Nitchie 5th capo mod |
07/19/08 |
499 |
237 |
70s |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Pretty clean. 237 is best guess for model. |
Saga
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
01/02/05 |
560 |
Style 1 |
79/80 |
|
RB-250 |
|
T&P Flange |
03/21/06 |
860 |
Bella Voce |
1979 |
|
Bella Voce |
|
Excellent Condition |
10/30/06 |
971 |
Bella Voce |
79/80 |
|
Bella Voce |
|
Excellent Condition |
06/02/07 |
623 |
Style 1? |
79/80 |
|
Wreath |
|
Like Style 1 except with more elaborate inlay, including Wreath on the fingerboard. |
06/10/07 |
560 |
Style 1? |
79/80 |
|
Wreath |
|
Like Style 1 except with more elaborate inlay, including Wreath on the fingerboard. |
07/07/07 |
725 |
Bella Voce |
79/80 |
|
Bella Voce |
|
Five-star head; metal is rough. |
12/19/07 |
735 |
Special Florentine |
79/80 |
|
Florentine |
|
Rare. Looks to be in good shape. |
03/04/08 |
650 |
Style II |
79/80 |
|
Leaves & Bows |
|
Pretty good shape with a few dings. |
Sho-bud
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
05/01/05 |
601 |
7742 |
80s |
1089 |
Card Suits |
|
mfg for Music City Mfg Co, Nashville |
Tokai
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
02/06/05 |
637 |
T 650 R |
1980 |
800018 |
Snowflake |
|
|
03/10/06 |
1,497 |
T 1200 R |
1980 |
800562 |
Flying Eagle |
|
|
12/16/06 |
1,050 |
T 1200 R |
1983 |
830153 |
Flying Eagle |
|
|
Ventura
Date |
US $ |
Model |
Year |
S/N |
Inlay |
Case |
Notes |
04/11/07 |
472 |
|
1979 |
|
Hearts & Flowers |
|
Unusual model similar to Alvarez |