fitch5string - Posted - 03/18/2008:  16:35:50

---

I just posted some pictures of a custom Masters Five that I finished for a customer on my website, http://fitchbanjos.com/ . Go to the Fitch Banjos page and scroll down to see it. This thing is so cool, I want one for myself.

FITCH BANJOS
www.FitchBanjos.com
Recording King Dealer
and U.S. Custom Shop

jdmatthew - Posted - 03/18/2008:  16:41:57

---

Now you need to put it in the back of that cool pickup of yours and drive it around for a couple of hundred miles. It will definitely have some authentic scratches and "age marks" then.

Jadie Matthew
Comfort, Texas

grayghost - Posted - 03/18/2008:  16:44:48

---

Cliff, you sure you don't have a "time machine" stashed away somewhere back of the shop?

Bongshang - Posted - 03/18/2008:  16:47:17

---

Lovely antique look. Especially liked the worn resonator back. Nice one Cliff,

JJ

Bongshang


GF-85 customized to the hilt

pickNgrin - Posted - 03/18/2008:  16:51:48

---

Nice job!

-matt

nickster - Posted - 03/18/2008:  17:23:07

---

Nice looking banjo Cliff, I bet it sounds as good as it looks. Now if I could just find some money laying around. Hmmm, maybe the tax return. lol.

Nick

FiveStringPop - Posted - 03/18/2008:  17:27:11

---

Awesome job, Cliff. I know you were grinning putting that one together. Don't follow Jadie's advice, you don't want to scratch up that truck now, do you?

The Lord, my life, He hath befriended,
I'll praise Him till my days are ended.

8thpol - Posted - 03/18/2008:  17:42:19

---

lot of nice looking banjos on your site

Retropicker - Posted - 03/18/2008:  17:44:04

---

So did you steel wool your belt buckle ant take her out for a set?

______________________________

maverick - Posted - 03/18/2008:  17:45:01

---

Now thats what I am talking about.. A nice distressed aged in banjo!

Lifes a Garden Dig it !!

fitch5string - Posted - 03/18/2008:  18:19:00

---

Wow! I didnt think it would get this responce. I sure like the look and feel of it but, I wasnt sure if anyone else would. Glad you guys like it ! Thanks!

FITCH BANJOS
www.FitchBanjos.com
Recording King Dealer
and U.S. Custom Shop

RONLD - Posted - 03/18/2008:  19:19:41

---

Thats a very fine job Cliff, i actually looked at the banjo and said to myself- " self that banjo looks to be as old as you" not that i am really that old!!! P.S. Cliff, when will you
be having the free drawing for one of those? Hint-Hint...........

Keep your friends close,and God even closer...

Bigbadbucksnort - Posted - 03/18/2008:  19:59:33

---

Now that's what I'm talking about. I'm probably a little rougher on my instruments than I should be, but that banjo already has character coming out of the shop and that's a beautiful thing. Shiny new instruments have never spoken to me as much as those older, played-looking banjos do.

Tobias


www.nowhereradio.com/ergobanjo

DKB - Posted - 03/18/2008:  20:08:20

---

Beautiful Cliff. That would look really cool with your custom inlay design.
Be Blessed

DKB

PyrPups - Posted - 03/18/2008:  20:50:00

---

Now you know what one of your other Masters Five will look like fifty years after we are all gone! Absolutely beautiful Cliff. I'll bet it has the sound to go along with the look! All the best in one package...can't possibly ask for more without spending at least $125,000.00 more!

Kerry

You'll never see Kerry's Harley parked in front of a Psychiatrist's office!

jdmatthew - Posted - 03/18/2008:  21:19:32

---

I think the "aged" look is going to be more and more popular. Look at the popularity of the Blackjack, which looks old right out of the box. And don't forget those reproduction guitars, which look exactly like some old rock star's favorite instrument and go for many thousands of dollars. The Eric Clapton model even has reproduced cigarette burns on the headstock where he stuck his cigarette under the strings. Old is in.

Jadie Matthew
Comfort, Texas

jebmd - Posted - 03/18/2008:  21:41:57

---

Beautiful work Cliff. I might need one of those. I think those are going to be a hot item. You just can't beat that for the price.




Jeb

Just do the work.

martyg - Posted - 03/18/2008:  21:53:11

---

Nice job on the banjo I like that look. Sharp Ford, another nice job!

Marty Galyean
San Angelo, Texas

KYTone - Posted - 03/18/2008:  21:58:04

---

I was almost decided on buying a Fitch Banjo and I think that pushed me over the top. Now to get some money together...

Chris

PyrPups - Posted - 03/18/2008:  22:50:33

---

""Old is in""

Thanks Jadie! I'm hanging in there!

Kerry

dj9124 - Posted - 03/18/2008:  22:57:39

---

I love it!!!!
Dave

Bigbadbucksnort - Posted - 03/18/2008:  23:22:40

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jdmatthew

I think the "aged" look is going to be more and more popular. Look at the popularity of the Blackjack, which looks old right out of the box. And don't forget those reproduction guitars, which look exactly like some old rock star's favorite instrument and go for many thousands of dollars. The Eric Clapton model even has reproduced cigarette burns on the headstock where he stuck his cigarette under the strings. Old is in.

---

Jadie: I've got a friend of mine who ages acoustic and electric guitars for people. His main ingredient: brake dust. He says it ages and dulls the varnish and woodstock better than anything else he has used. It's kind of a funny sight, some weirdo running up to people's cars in the parking lot and cleaning their rims for them, only to jump back in his car and take off, but he gets a lot of requests for aged instruments.

Tobias


www.nowhereradio.com/ergobanjo

jrmorrow - Posted - 03/18/2008:  23:32:28

---

very cool!

Pick it solid man!!!

Forrest - Posted - 03/19/2008:  10:26:03

---

I love this banjo, Cliff. Very cool.

I do have a question though and I ask it in all sincerity...really! If this is what a Fitch banjo will likely look like in 60 or 70 years, what will this particular "vintage finish" banjo look like in 60 or 70 years? I love the look and would buy this banjo in a heart beat, so it's not an insult, just a curious question.

"Run, Forrest, Run!"

---

Edited by - Forrest on 03/19/2008 10:26:49

Jack_T - Posted - 03/19/2008:  11:09:40

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Forrest

I love this banjo, Cliff. Very cool.

I do have a question though and I ask it in all sincerity...really! If this is what a Fitch banjo will likely look like in 60 or 70 years, what will this particular "vintage finish" banjo look like in 60 or 70 years?

---

I expect as the oldness wears off, the banjo will look progressively newer over time.

jdmatthew - Posted - 03/19/2008:  11:25:10

---

That's funny. I like it.

Jadie Matthew
Comfort, Texas

grich - Posted - 03/19/2008:  11:34:04

---

Just try to advertise it !

Brand new Fitch Banjo
Never been played ..... looks like it's been beat to hell !

That's marketing ! I love that look....

jdmatthew - Posted - 03/19/2008:  12:28:37

---

"Retro" is a good word for that. Somehow "new but looks old" just doesn't convey the beauty.

Jadie Matthew
Comfort, Texas

Fishrrman - Posted - 03/19/2008:  12:54:57

---

Hello Cliff -

I think you've beat Gibson at their own game with your new "Distressed Master Model" #75. It's actually the first "fully-distressed" banjo I've seen (there may be a few predecessors, but if there are, I've never heard of them). As an aside, I remember Wyatt Fawley aging some of the nickel plating on his Retrotone series, but I don't believe Wyatt attempted to extend the entire gestalt to the finish of the neck and resonator.

It looks fine, even the simulated "wear" on the back of the resonator, which put me off a bit at first, but the more I view it, the more appropriate it becomes. A stately and "mature" appearance.

You should offer a "distressed option package". That banjo is going to fool a lot of folks!

- John

Forrest - Posted - 03/19/2008:  13:22:40

---

John,

Warren Yates has a fully distressed "Ron Stewart Signature Model" that has been distressed in the fashion of Ron's 1933 Gibson. It's great to see new models in a "Vintage" fashion hitting the market. I really do like the look and love the idea that we can buy a new banjo that already has a broken in look and feel.

"Run, Forrest, Run!"

fitch5string - Posted - 03/19/2008:  14:27:32

---

It does grow on you for sure. I had my doubts as I was building it but,when I got closer to being finished, I started to really like it. Kinda my version of Fender's "Relic" Series I guess. It is a lot of work and I will not discuss the procedure that I used here but, all of the wood is completely sealed and there was no chemical used to craze the lacquer finish. The upcharge is $200.00 for the distressed hardware and wood which, is a bargain with all of the work involved.

FITCH BANJOS
www.FitchBanjos.com
Recording King Dealer
and U.S. Custom Shop

Mike C - Posted - 03/19/2008:  21:10:48

---

I like it alot. Very nice

jdmatthew - Posted - 03/20/2008:  00:08:06

---

Cliff, looks like you've hit on a winner. Lots of positive comments.

Jadie Matthew
Comfort, Texas

fitch5string - Posted - 03/20/2008:  00:18:14

---

Maybe so. I'll know when someone orders another one.

FITCH BANJOS
www.FitchBanjos.com
Recording King Dealer
and U.S. Custom Shop

Tsquare - Posted - 03/20/2008:  10:56:14

---

Hey there! This is the "customer" that Cliff made that "antiqued" Masters Five for. I have played for some 40 plus years....have four other banjos and this one out of Cliff's shop beats anything else I have played...and it feels "broken in". Cliff just put a Dannick ring and Sullivan Factory Floor rim in my 20 year old Granada and it now sings...but this Masters Five with the Dannick ring and the Sullivan rim has something even on that Granada. I expect them both to improve with time, but my "new" old banjo just spectacular.....it sounds old and looks old and already has the feel of an old friend. Couldn't be happier with the results. Cliff--you are a master. Only thing is.....when you open the case there is a hint of new laquer smell instead of musty old wood....ha ha.

fitch5string - Posted - 03/20/2008:  11:49:01

---

Hey Bob, next time you come over, I'll trade you that case for one of the ones in my attic. I have some really smelly ones up there ; 0

FITCH BANJOS
www.FitchBanjos.com
Recording King Dealer
and U.S. Custom Shop

Tsquare - Posted - 03/20/2008:  12:50:15

---

Nah, no thanks Cliff....I will go out and find a road kill squirrel and stick it in the case for awhile.....season it up some.

phischer - Posted - 03/20/2008:  18:07:45

---

That is killer. I love the satiny finish and the harware. That is a killer banjo for sure.

Fischer

Mike Casey - Posted - 03/20/2008:  19:02:03

---

Nice work Cliff. I like the look. Too bad they don't make a slightly pulled up "replacement" flange and a slightly flared tension hoop for that really real retro look.

Mike Casey
and The Deck Chairs