Banjo #017 is a custom build finished in October 2019. It now lives in Pennsylvania with its new owner, Brian.
This banjo has an 11″ block rim of curly Cherry and Black Locust with a 1/4″ brass rod done ring. Rim cap, heel cap and accent rim layer are Black Walnut. Neck is 3 piece laminate of black walnut with center rib of black locust with a dual action truss rod accessible at the heel.
Fingerboard is oiled Ironwood. Headstock laminate is Iron wood on the front and Cherry on the back with a headstock inlay of curly maple, black walnut and mother of pearl. Instrument is finished with a penetrating oil finish. Banjo is set up with brass hardware and brass Gotoh planetary tuners, straight Beartown bridge and shop mounted goatskin head.
Set up is with a modest scoop to fine tune head clearance and string action. Tone is clear, with good sustain and clarity. Responsive in lower positions and up the neck. Scale is 21.5″ for Irish Tenor tuning.
Beartown Banjo #017 – Custom Irish Tenor
Pot: 11” cherry with black walnut cap and accent layer
Tone Ring: black locust with 1/4 brass rod
Brass Hardware: 18 brackets, double-pointed shoes, grooved tension hoop, bacon style nuts, no knot tailpiece, Gotoh tuners.
Neck: 3 piece laminated black walnut/black locust, 2 way truss rod adjustable at heel, ¾ inch dowel stick with brass horseshoe fastener
Fingerboard: Ironwood 21.5 inch scale, Evo gold fretwire
Bridge: custom straight 4-string Beartown Bridge (maple/ebony)
Trim: black walnut heel cap with cherry accent, ironwood headstock laminate on top with curly maple, cherry headstock laminate on bottom.
Ornamentation: mother of pearl side markers, headstock crescent planet of mother of pearl, curly maple, and mother of pearl.
Strings: 12-16-24-36
Build date: August, 2019
