I built this banjo, "The Baby Mack" several years ago around a gold Blaylock tone ring that Bill plated on his own kitchen table. The rim is a TP Schaeffer, I hand-made the mahogany neck, with a dyed pear wood overlay (not ebony) on the peghead, I hand-cut the pearl inlay - which is matched to the original Mack Crow inlay in very dark rosewood. Scale is authentic pre-war Gibson. Resonator is a Gill standard, and the gold tuners are Keith standards. Hardware is all Prucha or Huber, except the hooks, which I've had for many years, and whose origin remains a mystery to me. Gold plating is fine, with exception of tone ring which has patina and uneven plating. Armrest is authentic Huber / Jim Mills model engraved armrest, though there is no engraving on the tone ring, tension hoop or tailpiece.
The sound is cutting and loud, mics very well. Plays great, easy, low action. Finish is nitrocellulose lacquer, done by a former Stelling finisher.
Comes with a nearly new black TKL case and black Huber strap. Jim Mills has played this, and remarked how much he liked the thin neck profile. Ships with 2 sets of my "Custom" finger picks. Audio is on my home page!
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