2012 Washburn B9 Resonator 5-String Banjo
So -- this is basically a brand new banjo with a basically brand-new case. All I had to do was give it a glorified setup and it was good to go. This same style of banjo with its one-piece, cast aluminum rim has been in production since the '60s. First they were made in Japan, then Korea, then Taiwan, then Indonesia, and now China -- as I recall. The molds have definitely moved around.
Each generation gets a little better than the last though they all have the warm, poppy, mellow, airy tone that this rim type creates. It's good for a folksy/bluegrassy blended voice but it's not a traditional bluegrass tone -- it's a little too mellow for that, even if it is loud.
Upgrades on this guy compared to '70s variants include a geared 5th peg, guitar-style geared pegs at the headstock, a slim and fast neck profile, working trussrod, and a more rigid design overall. It's not a fancy instrument but it gets the job done and sounds decent doing it.
Repairs included: setup, bridge compensation, adjustments.
Rim: one-piece aluminum
Tonering: integral
Bridge: maple/ebony
Fretboard: rosewood family
Neck wood: mahogany family
Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 9s
Neck shape: slim-med C
Board radius: flat
Truss rod: adjustable
Neck relief: straight
Fret style: medium
Scale length: 27 1/2"
Nut width: 1 3/8"
Head diameter: 11”
Resonator diameter: 13 1/2"
Depth overall at rim: 3 1/2"
Weight: 6 lbs 5 oz
Condition notes: it's basically new with only the lightest playing-wear evident.
It comes with: its presumably-original hard case.
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