Sterling mando-banjo

[Smedley Hirkum]

Well I got this one on eBay a couple weeks ago. I love the sound--very old timey, like straight out of another time. Too bad it won't stay in tune for the life of me! One tuning knob is just about completely broken, and the others slip. Does anyone know when it was built, how much it's worth (not that I'll sell it), or anything about the Sterling company? #And if anyone knows how much it would cost to get my tuners fixed, that would be much appreciated as well . Here are the pics of the thing from eBay. If anyone wants more, just ask and I'll figure out how to get them up here.

[Ken Berner]

The Sterling was probably made by Sterling-Tonk Bros. of Philadelphia, PA, sometime between 1880 and 1940. From your pictures, it appears that your instrument has a simple rolled steel tone ring. The head looks rather new and not the usual natural calfskin head found on old mandolin banjos. You might try a search on Google, which may turn up more information. What I have stated came from Mugwumps. Enjoy.

[Jim Garber]

Ken is correct about that company, I believe. I have seen that brand on reverse scroll instruments that were prob made by Regal and distributed by Tonk Bros. In fact there is a small "TBCo" above the Sterling name on yours as well as this one.

Jim