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.