Art Shows, BRC Activities, Cell Perches & HVO

A Perch and Mailbox

August 5, 2023

The unique theme this year for the end-of-summer art show at the community gallery is “Bare.” Whether realistic or abstracted, the human form has challenged artists since the beginnings of time-  from cave wall drawings to modern day computer simulations. Vexed to design a banjo based on the unadorned human frame, the BRC craftsman instead designed a cell phone holder entitled  “The Bare Bones Cell Perch.”  For an almost fully retired orthopedic surgeon, this skeletal smartphone holder was an instinctive  project.

While the gala opening reception offered plenty of abstruse nude paintings, mysterious sketches, and the occasional puzzling sculpture, gallery visitors (below) closely studied the anatomically accurate features of the “Bares Bones” desktop implement.

From the BRC:  Whenever resolving a bone of contention, it is wisest to stick to the bare facts.

Recently From the BRC Mailbox:

Dear BRC: Hi. I bought what looks like a 1970s Vega banjo in Tokyo. It does not have C. F. Martin on the back and is quite plain. The pot has 0728 as a serial number carved into it. Also pasted inside is a handwritten note (below) that reads, “Original Martin made Vega Banjo neck is V-41 prototype. Martin inlaid the pearl in the peghead. The rest is inlaid & finished by Homer C. Ledford, Luthier.” My question:What is it? It plays fantastically by the way. Cheers, R.S.

From the BRC:
Dear R.S. : Thank you for your correspondence to the BRC mailbox.  Per the existing website/Wikipedia, Homer C. Ledford (1927-2006) was a respected luthier and musician in Kentucky. According to my data, C.F. Martin made twenty-eight model V-41 five string banjos, but the serial number 0728 does not correspond with anything in my files. In the 1971 Martin price list, the V-41 listed for $850 by special order only. The V-41 model appears in the 1972 and 1976 Vega Martin catalogues. The last V-41 banjo parts that C.F. Martin manufactured were shipped to Japan in mid 1977 for assembly. Martin acquired the Vega franchise in 1970 and sold it overseas in 1979. You are welcome to send me photos of the instrument to see if anything might be learned from its hybrid features. Most importantly, however, is that it plays well. Thanks for your query. From the BRC, Barry
From the BRC: Dear R.S.- Thanks for the photos. The inlay on the fretboard appears to be a flawless reproduction. The pot looks like Martin woodwork but seems deeper than usual. Happy picking from the BRC. With much appreciation,  Barry

 

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