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Deering Golden Era / Gibson Parts Banjo - 5 string resonator bluegrass - $1,150 (Bellingham)

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Deering Golden Era / Gibson Parts Banjo - 5 string resonator bluegrass 1
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condition: good
make / manufacturer: Deering / Gibson / Parts
model name / number: Golden Era

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Up for sale is a 5-string resonator banjo that has at its core a Deering Golden Era pot. This is Deering's banjo that uses pre-war Gibson Mastertone specs for the closest thing they can get to that fabled 'pre-war' sound. It has had the tone ring lifted slightly to allow for greater resonance (a typical mod to get the most out of the Deering flathead tone rings). The pot, flange, and tailpiece are all Deering, I'm not sure whether the resonator is a Deering or another make. The 5-string neck is a Gibson or Gibson-style 'Bowtie' neck (named after the inlay pattern) in a lovely dark-stained mahogany with geared tuning machines. It's currently set up with a compensated bridge.

It plays nicely, intonates well, and has a loud and clear tone, all the way up the neck. It is a solid banjo (and not lightweight). It has the sort of powerful tone you'd expect from a professional resonator banjo with a flathead tone ring – great for bluegrass or other modern styles. As a parts banjo, it's more of a player's instrument than a collector's one. And while many of those from Deering, Gibson, and others run in the $2500 - $3000 range and up, this one sounds comparable and can be had for quite a bargain. A great first banjo, or a step up from your Goodtime or gold tone or other cheap starting instrument. Considering that a new Golden Era banjo from Deering will cost you $5949 and this has all the most important tonal parts of that banjo, I'd say this is a deal. You can hear examples of the Deering Golden Era here: https://www.deeringbanjos.com/products/golden-era-5-string-banjo

A few details to note:
Everything is in good condition, though the parts do show some amount of wear. I assembled it from various high quality American parts, and if you want something about it tweaked a little (different bridge, head, etc.) then I could likely do that for you. There's a variety of different resonator attachment screws and some different ones were installed previously, with a couple small holes remaining. There was previously some 5th string capo spikes that were removed before I got the neck; I can put some in for no charge if you'd like. There are a couple nicks and dings, but nothing that affects the sound or playability.

A few other specs:
Head: 11" Remo top-frosted
Scale Length: 26 1/4"
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony with bowtie inlays (style of 1950s-60s Gibson RB-250 Mastertone)
Pot: Maple
Tone ring: Deering cast bronze
Nut: Bone
Bridge: 1/2" ebony-capped maple
Tailpiece: Deering True Tone
Frets: Nickel
Resonator: Golden burst maple
Tuners: Geared nickel or chrome

Video of this specific banjo available by request.

post id: 7922139364

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