Description
Condition: Various surface scratches, small nicks and dings and some blemishing on the metal components. There was a crack in the neck just below the headstock which has been repaired and covered up with a black finish and over-sprayed (see photos). This is the only area of the banjo that has been partially refinished and over-sprayed. Two pitch-bending tuning machines were added to the 2nd and 3rd strings to bend the pitch up or down (see photos). Fingerboard and frets have moderate play wear and plenty of life left in them. Neck is very straight and the truss rod functions fine.
Body: 11” diameter head with 24 lugs on a metal tension hoop. Arm rest with floral engraving, nickel tailpiece and a Richelite saddle. Laminate pot with single metal coordinator rod and a 20-hole angled tone ring. Double-bound mahogany resonator with pearloid inlaid rings around the binding and dual concentril rings on the back.
Neck: Chunky soft “V’ shaped mahogany neck with hand-carved heel, bound rosewood fingerboard, fancy pearloid inlays, sliding 5th string capo and a 1 3/16” nut. Headstock features pearloid Alvarez logo, nickel machine tuners with pearloid buttons and dual pitch-bending tuners. 26.5” scale length.
Weight: 13lbs, 0.0oz.
Playability/Sound: This is a great sounding vintage banjo! The added pitch-bending machines really add some versatility to the instrument allowing the player to change or modify tunings on the fly. The banjo has a loud, open sound with a great attack to the note and excellent resonance. The repair on the neck was done very well and does not affect playability or sound at all.
Case: Includes original hardshell case.
