1976 Harmony Resotone Bicentennial 5-String Resonator Banjo

Overview: These Bicentennial banjos made by Harmony came in red and blue finishes and, I think, the blue is just slightly cooler. It's a great look. Aside from that special finish (and the decal on the back) it's otherwise identical to a normal Res-O-Tone banjo from Harmony with the composite/molded rim. It's lightweight and, after repairs and mods, is a true-blue, quick-playing, reliable, easy-to-love instrument. I always like these when they come in! The necks are generally pretty straight and easy to live with, too, thanks to the big old steel bar they have in there for support.

Repairs included: I gave this a level/dress of the frets, fit the sliding capo, added the geared 5th peg, and set it all up. I also changed the neck attachment to dual bolts for stability's sake and it's playing spot-on and ready to go. I got to jam with it last weekend outside and it's nice and loud, too.

• Weight: 5 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 26 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium C/V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 13/16"
• Depth at seventh fret: 31/32"
• Head diameter: 11”
• Resonator diameter: 12 3/4"
• Depth overall at rim: 3 1/8"
• Rim wood: composite
• Tonering: integral/no tonering (rounded edge)
• Bridge: maple/ebony
• Fretboard: ebonized something
• Neck wood: poplar
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall bluegrass-style (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 9s
• Truss rod: non-adjustable (big steel bar)
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium/low

Condition notes: It's all-original except for an added strap, 5th-string sliding capo, and geared 5th peg with vintage button -- all of which I added. There's mild wear to the finish here and there and the decal of the eagle on the back has some distress. Harmony, oddly, fit their 5th-string peg at the 4th fret rather than the 5th fret position. The tuner also sticks out a little farther than on most 5-strings because you can only get it mounted so far in due to the non-adjustable truss in the neck and at the 4th fret, the neck is a little narrower than right at the 5th. It's seated and glued-in nicely, though.

It comes with: It's got an original chip case in decent shape and, of course, comes with the great strap.

Consignor tag: HKNS