A historic instrument for sale

The 'Foggy' banjo; eagle inlay on resonator, and 'flying eagle' fingerboard inlay, which Ibanez seem to have normally used on their 589-5 mahogany model

Thanks to Tony Curran, who writes:

With the Christmas season upon us, I wish to:

1st - Wish all our Irish bluegrass colleagues a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2nd - Offer the 'Foggy Lyttle' banjo for sale. (A banjo with provenance!)

This banjo is an original 1976/7 Ibanez 590-5 Deluxe 5-string maple 'Flying Eagle' model (which in 1977 cost about $430). The instrument has a beautiful, true tone - all the way up the fingerboard.

I understand that Foggy originally bought the banjo when, after being asked by the BBC if he played banjo, he (falsely) claimed he did! He had been asked to play for the Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show in 1976 – the one where Angela Rippon kicked back the 'newsdesk' and danced around the studio floor. Foggy was playing this very banjo for that particular programme – and appeared in the final Christmas production.

Anybody who wants to buy this banjo - which comes with its original hard case - need only beat the current offer of STG£1,000 or € equivalent – Best offer secures!

Contact me at my usual number - (028) 9443 3273 if dialling from the UK; 048 9443 3273 if dialling from the Republic of Ireland - or e-mail.


David 'Foggy' Lyttle, guitarist on 'Days like this' and other classics