1980s Wildwood Troubadour Longneck 5-String Banjo

Tone: Like the old Vegas from the '60s, the Tubaphone-style tonering gives it a clean sound with a ton of pop. Seeger-style players and folksters will like it because it cuts through nicely in a band setting and all of your notes can be heard. Folks who are into the "modern old time" sound -- warm and round and scooped in the highs -- will not be into it.

Feel: It's got a neck very similar to the old Vegas, too -- medium-heft and with a soft V to its rear. It's quick-enough to get around on but with enough space between the strings up and down the neck that it's easy to get clean notes.

Interesting features: The Troubadour-style inlay up and down the neck is pretty stuff. The block-rim construction is likewise easy on the eyes and also very durable. I like the full, Vega-style bracket band on the rim and the Lange-style purfling under the binding at the sides of the fretboard. It's got class...

Repairs included: It's had a level/dress of the frets, added compensation to the bridge, cleaning, and setup work done.

• Maker: Wildwood
• Model: Troubadour
• Body style: longneck openback
• Weight: 9 lbs 1 oz
• Scale length: 32 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 1/4"
• Neck shape: medium soft V
• Board radius: flat
• Head diameter: 11”
• Depth overall at rim: 3"
• Rim wood: block maple
• Tonering: Tubaphone
• Bridge: maple/ebony compensated
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 3/32" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 10s
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-narrow

Condition notes: It's very clean and original throughout save for the bridge. It has guitar-style tuners at the headstock which is reminiscent of the '60s Vegas this instrument apes. Pete liked 'em! There are minor scuffs, scratches, and light wear and tear throughout but it's been cared-for and it looks like it's been cared-for. Spike-style capos for the 5th string have been added to the board.

It comes with: There's a non-original Deering-brand case for it.

Consignor tag: LCL