Topic: Papa Charlie/Gus Cannon Banjo

[bluesrus]

Hey Everyone,
This is Nick (Kenny Sultan's son)
I was wondering if anyone had the info on what type of banjos(6 string, brand, open back etc.) that Papa Charlie Jackson or Gus Cannon used to play, if you could help that would be awesome, we're looking into getting a 6 string banjo.
Thanks
P.S. anyone know what guitars(size, brand, etc. sounds to me like Blake and Lemon used Parlours) Blind Lemon, Charlie Patton, or Blind Blake used to play?

[bluesrus]

Yep, only my kid might ask this question.
14 years old, and knows as much, if not more, than me about the old blues guys.
He has a Gibson SG for rock, and a 1937 L-OO for blues.
Pretty cool.
Kenny

[Stuart]

Hi Nick:

There are photos of Gus Cannon playing a five string open back, but I don't know the brand or model. The recent PBS show had some footage which is available on line:

http://www.pbs.org/arts/exhibit/give-me-the-banjo/


Papa Charlie Jackson is reported to have used a Gibson GB banjo guitar:

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/69965-papa-charlie-jackson-and-the-gibson-gb-guitar-banjo/

http://jasobrecht.com/papa-charlie-jackson-popular-male-blues-singer/

http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/158935


I don't know the makes or models of the guitars that Blind Blake, Blind Lemon or Charley Patton played. Some say the guitars in the photos are mere studio props. Mike Hauver makes a Blind Blake model:

http://www.hauverguitars.com/blind_blake.html

http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=6823.0

There's a video of Toby Walker playing one:




Hope this helps.


P.S. Hey Kenny--Haven't you heard the old saying about one's chosen vocation?? "You don't let your daughter marry one and you don't let your son become one!" (Just kidding...)

[Richard]

Well whatever he plays, he's found the right site and welcome 

[uncle bud]

Re. Gus Cannon's banjo. I'm sure he played a number of different instruments over the years, having lived to a very ripe old age. But there is some info here in a previous discussion about his instruments: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=4690.0

Good luck with the Gibson GB, that one will set your dad back a few bucks.