2015 Noel Booth Fretless 5-String Openback Banjo

This is a good-quality, modern fretless banjo in the style of old minstrel-era instruments but with geared pegs and more of an 1890s-style rim construction with a brass-hoop tonering fit at the top edge. I love the carving of the peghead.

The owner had it here to get a goat skin head fit and a proper setup to get it closer to the "thunkier" old-time sound -- closer to a gourd banjo sound, maybe. I was happy with how it turned-out -- the thin-skin goat head mixed with a bit of damping and a plain maple bridge seems to have done the trick!