Request for info on Marma banjo.

TerryS

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Dec 3, 2007, 8:34:23 AM12/3/07

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A five string, bluegrass style Marma banjo has just come into my possession.
It has a 26 inch (66cm) long neck of 22 frets, with the short fifth string
machine head at the fifth fret.
The body 11 inches (28cm) in diameter and the resonator back is 13 inches
(33cm) in diameter.

I have run several Google searches with variations on Marma and banjos which
results in quite a few French and German links but nothing in English.
Specific searches of numerous well known Aussie and US sellers of guitars
and banjos fails to turn up the brand name either.

Can someone steer me in the right direction please for Marma and instrument
details such as history, manufacturer, sellers, market value etc.etc.

Many thanks,
TerryS.

Wayne...@aol.com

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Dec 3, 2007, 11:29:22 AM12/3/07

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Have never seen or heard of that brand. There are literally hundreds
of private brand imports out there...we call them "styencil" banjos,
because the manufacturer would put any distributors name on them.

There is a brand called Norma. Take another look at the name. Asian
letter forms can be confusing.

TerryS

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Dec 3, 2007, 10:23:25 PM12/3/07

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Thanks for the reply, I took you comments onboard.
Your observation on Asian letter forms and "Norma" was an uncanny close
call.
When you see the 'Marma" logo you'll know what I mean
I've done some more searching and have found several Marma instruments.
Mainly uke/banjos and mando/banjos, one four stringer banjo but no five
string.
There is even an item on Italian eBay, "Splendido Banjo Marma".
One breath takingly good Swiss vintage guitar and banjo site had a very
early Marma F hole acoustic jazz guitar.
But I did come across a reference to Marma as " made in Germany" and other
Marma references to "50s and 60s", I also detect a note of reverence for the
instruments.

Here are some links of interest to Marma images.
I have used these links several times and the sites are free of popups and
adds.

A Marma mandolin/banjo with logo on the head.
http://www.no1music.dk/product.asp?product=2048&sub=0&page=1

A Marma Resonator ukulele-banjo with logo and one without.
http://picknstrum.com/instruments.php

And a four string for sale in Canada with no logo.
http://brantford.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-VINTAGE-4-STRING-MARMA-BANJO-18-FRETS-W0QQAdIdZ24109688

Regards,
TerryS.

<Wayne...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:657bac91-0313-4f1b...@w56g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

carlbaron

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Dec 4, 2007, 8:00:49 AM12/4/07

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TerryS wrote:
> Can someone steer me in the right direction please for Marma and instrument
> details such as history, manufacturer, sellers, market value etc.etc.

In the article

The Stössel lute: A Folk Instrument for Everyman
Revisited after 40 years of Oblivion

is mentioned

The company "Marma Music Industry Karl Bauer" of Markneukirchen, East
Germany, began test production after the end of the war [i.e. WWII]

http://home.earthlink.net/~gcminer/stoessellute.htm

Also check
http://web.telia.com/~u86505074/capomuseum/Yoke/Spring/yoke_spr.htm
Marma capo

http://www.palmguitars.nl/page.php?cat_id=41
http://www.palmguitars.nl/large_img.php?imagename=/PHPShop/catalog/images/marmaguitarola.jpg&winwidth=600&winheight=428
Marma Guitarola

Carl

TerryS

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Dec 5, 2007, 6:27:22 AM12/5/07

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"carlbaron" <c.b.ba...@FREEatt.net> wrote in message
news:fj3j2a$7ejp$1...@netnews.upenn.edu...

Thanks for the links Carl, great stuff!
This gives me something else to work with.

Regards,
TerryS.

gro...@yahoo.com.au

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Aug 28, 2013, 9:53:00 PM8/28/13

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Hello Terry, I have a 5 string Marma banjo. It has been in my possession for approx. 40 years when purchased new.If you are still interested feel free to contact me. Regards Ron Dawson.

barrye...@gmail.com

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Apr 12, 2020, 3:50:33 PM4/12/20

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Hi I think they were made in East Germany, don't fetch a lot of £