This banjo has an 11″ block rim of curly Maple with a Dobson style tone ring. Rim cap and accent rim layer are Black Walnut. Neck is 3 piece laminate of curly maple and black walnut with a dual action truss rod accessible at the heel.
Fingerboard is oiled Jatoba. Headstock laminate (front and back) and heelcap are black walnut 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 shop mounted goatskin 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 bright 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.
Price including hard shell case: $1675 direct from Beartown Banjo
Beartown Banjo #014
Pot: 11” curly maple with black walnut cap and accent 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 curly maple /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: black walnut heel cap, black walnut 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: November, 2018
Price including hard shell case: $1675 direct from Beartown Banjo
Banjo #014 has been my daily player for about a year. It’s a great banjo to play, is sounding great, and has an elegant patina. It currently is set up with goatskin head, Rickard Cyclone 10:1 tuners and EJ60NY (9-10-13-20-9) strings. Pre-shipping routine includes thorough cleaning, buffing, fingerboard/fret check/tweak, new strings, new head (goat, renaissance, or fiberskin), bridge adjustment (or replacement as needed) and setup. Give me a call to discuss and see current photos.
Sound Files coming soon…