This banjo started as Kalamazoo tenor, serial number 219. The conversion was accomplished by Don Bryant and Clifford Seales, both well-known banjo craftsmen and Hangout members.
Don installed an Arnold Clayton pyramid reproduction tone ring on the Kalamazoo rim. Clifford did the handcut pearl and inlay work, installed the stainless steel frets and shaped the neck
to my specifications.
The final assembly and fitting of the Prucha hardware, heel fit, nut installation, spikes and final setup was done by Don. Don's bandmate, Ken Hooper, of Hooper Guitars, did the matching stain and finish work.
Ken's finish work has a character to it that conveys a vintage appearance, even though it is brand new.
The original appearance of the prewar rim and resonator is uncommonly good considering the age. The head is a previously unused pre-EPA Weatherking. The bridge is a David Wadworth zebra wood bridge
that sounds very good on this banjo.
Four Gotoh tuners, upgraded with grained ivoroid buttons are on the peghead. The fifth tuner is a straight shaft Waverly with a matching grained ivoroid button. The Keith tuners and strap appearing in some of
the pictures are NOT included.
The case is a Saga reproduction redline hard shell.
In addition to the outstanding tone and playability of this banjo it is remarkably light, maybe 10lbs. or less.
The original tenor neck, with tuners and the tenor case ARE included with the conversion 5-string banjo.
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