2010s Davison (Import) 5-String Resonator Banjo

We now have two of these inexpensive, import 5-string banjos in the shop -- both clean and both arrived as trade-ins within a day of one another. I'm pretty sure these are about 10-year-old instruments and they have much of the same hardware and construction as any general import banjo from the '70s-onwards though they do have the benefit of nicer necks, proper truss rods, and actual multi-ply wood rims compared to the old one-piece aluminum ones of yesteryear. They even have the same '70s-style turnbuckle single coordinator rod setup.

As a result, they sound largely the same, too -- clean and with a warm "ping" to the tone that's satisfyingly "poppy" as well. They need a little tweaking to get them their best during setup (I always add a couple of bolts at the heel/rim joint to lock them in place more effectively, for one) but they prove reliable and practical instruments after the work is done.