This is a fine replica of a banjo by William Boucher from the 1850's. This banjo is constructed to Boucher's dimensions and shows 19th century finishing techniques. It looks and feels like antique furniture. This is a medium brown DYED, not stained, banjo. Luthier's dye enhances the woodgrain with nicer colors. The semi gloss hard finish is hand rubbed.
It has a VERY LOUD and full sound. The solid construction contributes greatly to this. The heel is a perfect fit to the oak rim. The neck is beefy and formed with tools like that of the 19th century. This banjo is rugged. It has incredible response and is VERY dynamic in its playability. Minstrel banjos have a little longer neck length - thus making the strings slightly tighter and easier to play and bringing out the volume and bass, much like a tall vs. a short piano. It is in the minstrel tuning of dGDF#A but of course may be altered if you prefer a deep clawhammer tuning of Sawmill, Open, Double 'C,' etc....
Everything on this minstrel banjo is handmade, even the brass hooks and brackets. The rim is 3 1/4" deep, 12 + " diameter. The scale length (nut to bridge) is 27". The nut is made of off-white bone. The ebony friction pegs turn like butter. It's very comfortable to play.
I don't have a return policy because I don't want someone handling it for 2 weeks and possibly damaging it or dropping it before you get it. If you are serious about this banjo, you'll be more than happy with this purchase. You can read about my credibility if you search 'minstrel banjo forum'. Also I have excellent Ebay feedback. Let me warn you, when you get this beauty in your hands you'll never let go!!
This minstrel banjo is strung with Aquila Nylgut Minstrel strings. The maple and oak woods are hard. The strings are perfectly aligned. The rim is SOLID steam bent, the old fashioned way. All of these details contribute to the very pronounced, sustained sound.
If you are new to fretless Minstrel Banjo, imagine a clawhammer banjo but with a lower, louder, mellower sound. The head is goatskin as on the original. The strings are very easy to push down. The string spacing the bridge and the nut is wider, making it very easy to 'zero' in on a string. There are several books out now containing minstrel banjo tunes in both tablature and notation. Also, clawhammer players can just tune a minstrel banjo to sawmill or open tuning and this brings a new sound and new life to their repetoire.
I'm a banjo maker in Michigan. I've made over 100 minstrel banjos for pros, amateurs, and museum display.
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