This is a great addition to any banjo collection. It is a Bob Rock Big Chief banjo build in 1982 - 34 years old and in excellent condition. Bob was a builder from Everett/Bedford, PA area and built somewhere around 700 banjos. This was his fanciest one. There was an article about him in the August 1993 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited. In that article he is holding a banjo just like this one. Everything on this banjo looks original with the exception of maybe the tailpiece. It looks shinier than the other parts so I am guessing it is newer. I play nothing but open back/clawhammer banjos so this banjo gets no play time like it should. According to that article Bob made almost all of his own parts - both wood and metal. The most unique thing about this banjo is the large volute on the back of the neck. Pretty much a Bob Rick trademark - I don't think any other builder ever made them this way. The head stock and the back of the resonator are both painted beautifully in an Indian motif. The inlays are also Indian motif. Just a cool looking banjo. I am not willing to ship this banjo for fear of damage in transport. Looking to sell to someone close by to Morgantown, WV who wants to own a piece of Pennsylvania Bluegrass History.
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