Curly walnut harvested from East Boulevard in Charlotte, N.C. from a grand old tree that died of natural causes. I have a limited supply of this gorgeous stock. Its well seasoned, air dried for 15 years. The giant tree was nearly 4 feet wide at the trunk.
Minstel strings tuned to eAEAB
Minstrel strings, tuned to E.
Minstrel strings, full A tuning.
Nylgut strings tuned to double C
Steel strings tuned to double C.
***SOLD***
Durofoam case included.
Free shipping to the lower 48 states.
International customers will pay actual shipping and duties. Please contact me before buying.
This banjo has nice little carvings on the frailing scope and back of head stock. The dobson tone ring gives it more resonance, like a drone. It can be adjusted with head tension to your liking.
Segmented walnut rim with thick veneer around it. Ebony fretboard, heel cap, rim cap and tension hoop cap.
Ebony is a dense, well wearing wood that polishes up nicely with no varnish required. It can always be sanded with fine grit and polished with fine steel wool. it's a great choice for the wearing edges!
Traditional dowel stick construction held tight with a tapered ebony key. Brass position markers on fretboard front and side.
Can be strung with steel, nylon or gut strings with two different nuts.
It's a good idea to keep a selection of bridges around to change action.
As for heads, I set them up with head tight for the best tone. The head shouldn't sag much than a 1/16 to a 1/8 of a inch in the middle. But you should set it to your preference. It will change the tone very much.
Tighten the screws by a quarter turn all the way around the rim and do it as many times as necessary. Humid seasons will need tightening and dry seasons might need loosening. Its no harder than tuning the strings so don't be worried.
It doesn't require much attention, just keep a small screwdriver in your case if you travel.
The tone of a natural hide is far superior to a plastic head and well worth it!
It plays as good as it looks, 25 1/2 scale length for easy reaches, 1 5/16 wide at nut, gentle V neck profile makes the neck very comfortable and all my necks have a special finish to make them feel smooth and buttery for easy sliding.
My homemade varnish is made of natural resins and looks/ feels much better than all modern varnishes.
Entirely handmade and lacking the sterile perfection of factory instruments, thank goodness!!!
Segmented walnut rim with thick veneer around it. Ebony fretboard, heel cap, rim cap and tension hoop cap.
Ebony is a dense, well wearing wood that polishes up nicely with no varnish required. It can always be sanded with fine grit and polished with fine steel wool. it's a great choice for the wearing edges!
Traditional dowel stick construction held tight with a tapered ebony key. Brass position markers on fretboard front and side.
Can be strung with steel, nylon or gut strings with two different nuts.
- One bone nut for steel strings.
- One ebony nut for nylon or gut strings as they require a higher action and wider slots to avoid buzzing.
- Two different bridges.
It's a good idea to keep a selection of bridges around to change action.
As for heads, I set them up with head tight for the best tone. The head shouldn't sag much than a 1/16 to a 1/8 of a inch in the middle. But you should set it to your preference. It will change the tone very much.
- A properly tight head will have good balance of pop and note clarity as well as volume,
- A loose head will dull the notes and volume.
- Do not over tighten as it will stretch the head and the tone will be unpleasant and difficult to manage.
Tighten the screws by a quarter turn all the way around the rim and do it as many times as necessary. Humid seasons will need tightening and dry seasons might need loosening. Its no harder than tuning the strings so don't be worried.
It doesn't require much attention, just keep a small screwdriver in your case if you travel.
The tone of a natural hide is far superior to a plastic head and well worth it!
It plays as good as it looks, 25 1/2 scale length for easy reaches, 1 5/16 wide at nut, gentle V neck profile makes the neck very comfortable and all my necks have a special finish to make them feel smooth and buttery for easy sliding.
My homemade varnish is made of natural resins and looks/ feels much better than all modern varnishes.
Entirely handmade and lacking the sterile perfection of factory instruments, thank goodness!!!