Posted By: BrianAnderson59 (+6) | Rate Member
$4,995 USD
This banjo was built by Ronnie Bales in 2014. Ronnie Bales is one of the finest banjo luthiers in the country, and has a reputation for the finest of craftsmanship. He retired from building banjos after building about 70 of them. I honestly can't find a flaw. It has been very well taken care of. It is gorgeous - a true work of art. The gold plating is beautiful with no signs of fading.
The neck is mahogany and has green abalone inlay. The fingerboard is radiused. The resonator is prewar style and veneered with roble. It is striking. The rim is a prewar Gibson style 11 with the Gibson decal. It is blue and does not have a FON, factory order number.
The original rim that came with the banjo was made by Ronnie from a Jimmy Cox mahogany blank. This rim also comes with the banjo so that the banjo can be put back to original condition if so desired. Both rims have the Bales "Turbo" as do all Bales banjos.
It has a Bill Blaylock made / Ronnie Bales designed tone ring. The tone ring was modeled after the prewar rings in the Ken Harvey banjo and Jerry Keys' 75. Ronnie uses Prucha metal.
The style 5 engraving was done by Nick Kimmons formerly of Gibson and plated by Steve Huber. The tuner buttons are Barnes on Waverly tuners.
After I bought it, I purchased a .656 Snuffy Smith radiused bridge, Crowe spacing, which is what comes with the banjo.
This banjo is a very good sounding banjo. You can listen to it here:
youtu.be/FTwNff87LYs
youtu.be/RG4jug6FQFM
Location:
United States, CA, 95742
Shipping:
Buyer Pays Shipping
Payment Methods:
Check/Money Order, Cash (in person), Paypal
Return Policy:
Returns accepted. Buyer must contact seller within 2 days to arrange return. Refund will be given as Money Back.
Buyer pays return shipping.
Additional return policy details: Banjo must be returned in same condition as it was received.
Condition of Item(s):
Used - Mint Condition
Category:
Make:
Bales
Ad Status:
Sold
Listing No:
112413
Page Views:
915
