A few years ago I purchased the remaining banjo parts inventory of a well known luthier supply company. Included in that sale was this partial kit to build a flathead tone ring, resonator banjo as well as some parts for an open back banjo. I had hoped to get around to building a banjo out of them, but just haven’t had the time. I am offering them for sale at this time in the hopes someone might be able to use them.

Parts included:

2 Necks – 1 is more finished with fingerboard glued, truss rod installed, frets installed, tuner holes, nut slot. The second neck has the truss rod channel routed, an unattached fingerboard. Both necks feature unfinished wood…sorry, I don’t know what kind but it seems kind of dark to be maple.

2 Rims – resonator rim looks to already be lathed for the tone ring, but finish lathing may be needed. The rim looks to be multiply laminated. Unfinished and looks to be maple. The open back rim already has the brass “tone” ring attached, although this tone ring simply consists of a piece of brass. It is not a rolled brass hoop. Both rims are unfinished.

Tone Ring – Flathead 20 hole tone ring. I don’t know the composition but it is chromed and weighs exactly the same as the tone ring that was in my Alvarez Masterclone banjo.

2 piece plate flange and tube

Clamshell tailpiece

2 Tension Hoops – One is notched for the resonator banjo, the other is not

Resonator – unfinished resonator, looks like it might be maple, but no promises there.

Miscellaneous hardware – resonator screws and brackets, hooks and nuts (24), wrench, bridge, nut.

** I have not built a complete banjo, but from my knowledge of the banjos I play I think that the following components would be necessary to complete the build of a resonator banjo if you started with this kit:

a. Binding, frets, tuners, tension rod, lag bolts for unfinished neck
b. Tuners and lag bolts for the more finished neck
c. Head
d. Coordinating Rods
e. Armrest

** To make two complete banjos (one resonator, one open back) I think you would need:
a. Binding, frets, tuners, tension rod, lag bolts for unfinished neck
b. Tuners and lag bolts for the more finished neck
c. 2 Heads
d. 4 Coordinating Rods
e. Bridge
f. Nut
g. Hooks and nuts or hooks, shoes, nuts depending on how you wanted to finish the banjo

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I would consider a trade + cash (from me) for a cheaper longneck banjo. Love that low E sound.