1981 Dan Polifka 5-String Openback Banjo

Mr. Polifka, apparently, owned a music shop for a short while and also made some instruments, too. This one reminds me a lot of StewMac kit banjos from the '70s and the '80s and it's possible that it's a "kitbashed" version of one. It could also be completely homegrown, though!

In any case, it's a nice-sounding instrument with good ring and pop. It reminds me a little bit of '60s Gibson openbacks. It has the same, wide, simple, hoop tonering design, too. The neck is quick and fast and it's made of nice materials -- ebony for the fretboard and headstock veneer, a two-piece mahogany neck, ply mahogany rim, and heavy-duty hardware throughout.

Tim worked on this one -- recutting an old tension hoop to fit for this rim size, giving it a level/dress of the frets, cleaning it up, and setting it up. All I had to do was add a few railroad spikes when the customer picked it up.