1970s Unmarked Japan-made 5-String Masterclone Banjo
In a blind listening test with a flathead Gibson from the same decade, I don't think I'd be able tell which is which without playing them. This banjo has the same construction -- a hefty ply rim with a big, steel, flathead tonering. It has the sound. The difference, however, is in the handling. This has a similar neck to a '70s Gibson bluegrass banjo but it feels a hair wider and thicker front to back and the frets aren't as big as the average Gibson frets for the '70s.
It's unmarked but I'm pretty sure it's something along the lines of a Gold Star/Tokai build from Japan. Its owner and I think that the back of the neck looks refinished, maybe, but that the rest of the instrument appears to have original finish -- with the normal finish cracks and weather-checking of '70s banjos.
It came here in decent shape but did need some work to get going. Now that it is, it plays fast and accurate and has a quick feel all the way up the neck.
Repairs included: a fret level/dress, side dots install, railroad spike capos at frets 7, 9, and 10, a new Elite (Renaissance) head, cleaning, and setup.
Setup notes: it plays perfectly with 1/16" action at the 12th fret and a straight neck. The strings are 9s in gauge and the truss rod works.
Condition notes: possibly-refinished back of the neck, replacement bridge (compensated) and head, and the tailpiece has one damaged "bottom rest" but it not an issue. There's average use/handling wear-and-tear throughout but overall it looks pretty good. The fretboard shows some wear but no big finger-divots. One of the headstock tuners is a replacement from my parts-bin but I reused the original button and it's not obvious.
It's unmarked but I'm pretty sure it's something along the lines of a Gold Star/Tokai build from Japan. Its owner and I think that the back of the neck looks refinished, maybe, but that the rest of the instrument appears to have original finish -- with the normal finish cracks and weather-checking of '70s banjos.
It came here in decent shape but did need some work to get going. Now that it is, it plays fast and accurate and has a quick feel all the way up the neck.
Repairs included: a fret level/dress, side dots install, railroad spike capos at frets 7, 9, and 10, a new Elite (Renaissance) head, cleaning, and setup.
Setup notes: it plays perfectly with 1/16" action at the 12th fret and a straight neck. The strings are 9s in gauge and the truss rod works.
Scale length: 26 3/8"
Nut width: 1 1/8"
String spacing at nut: 15/16"
String spacing at bridge: 1 11/16"
Head diameter: 11"
Resonator diameter: 13 3/4"
Resonator diameter: 13 3/4"
Rim depth: 3 3/4"
Rim material: ply maple, steel flathead tonering
Neck wood: mahogany
Fretboard: rosewood
Bridge: ebony/maple 5/8" compensated
Neck feel: slim-to-medium C-shape, flat board
Condition notes: possibly-refinished back of the neck, replacement bridge (compensated) and head, and the tailpiece has one damaged "bottom rest" but it not an issue. There's average use/handling wear-and-tear throughout but overall it looks pretty good. The fretboard shows some wear but no big finger-divots. One of the headstock tuners is a replacement from my parts-bin but I reused the original button and it's not obvious.
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