This banjo has an 11″ block rim of curly Maple. Rim cap is Black Walnut, as is the upper rim layer, which supports brass Dobson style tone ring. Neck is 3 piece laminate of black walnut with a dual action truss rod accessible at the heel.
Fingerboard is oiled Jatoba. Headstock laminate (front and back) and heelcap are Jatoba (“Brazilian Cherry”) with a headstock inlay of curly maple and mother of pearl. Instrument is finished with a penetrating oil finish. Banjo is set up with brass hardware and brass Gotoh planetary tuners, curved Beartown bridge and Elite fiberskin head.
Set up is with a modest frailing scoop level with the head. Scale is 25.5″ with 19 frets. 5th string nut is at the 5th fret. Tone is pure and ringing, with good sustain and clarity. Responsive in lower positions and up the neck. With a 25.5″ scale this banjo can easily be tuned to G/C or A/D.
This Banjo is on display (and for sale) at Ithaca Guitar Works 215 North Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY Stop in to take a look, and give it a play!!
Beartown Banjo #013
Pot: 11” curly maple with black walnut cap and beveled top layer
Tone Ring: spun brass Dobson style
Brass Hardware: 18 brackets, double-pointed shoes, grooved tension hoop, bacon style nuts, Pigsah
Hawk tailpiece, Gotoh tuners.
Neck: 3 piece laminated black walnut, 2 way truss rod adjustable at heel, ¾ inch dowel stick with brass horseshoe fastener
Fingerboard: Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) 25.5 inch scale, Evo gold fretwire
Bridge: custom curved Beartown Bridge (maple/ebony)
Trim: figured black walnut heel cap with Jatoba laminate, Jatoba headstock laminate on top and bottom
Ornamentation: mother of pearl side markers, headstock crescent planet of mother of pearl and Curly Maple
Strings: 10-11-15-24PB-10
Build date: August 20th, 2018
Sound Files coming soon…