Imperial (by J.B. Schall) Open Back Banjo (1890s)

J.B. Schall was active as a banjo builder and teacher in the Chicago area in the 1880s and 90s. He built banjos under his own name and some other brands like Waldo and V. Kraske. The Imperial brand banjos seem to be the most well known banjos he built. They are less fancy aesthetically and do not feature the engraved metal headstock overlays and fingerboard inlays that some of his banjos have. This one features an interesting headstock shape, metal heel cap, patented dowel stick adjuster, plus most of the features you see on open back banjos from this time period. Includes a gigbag.