A great “Asian Bottlecap” banjo without the ugly bottlecap!

youtube.com/watch?v=LDjAMDEM5rs
banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=14708
banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=14708
youtube.com/watch?v=vyNlxM007E0

This one is under the “Encore” name and features an alum. rim, very nice Mahogany neck and mahogany double bound resonator, rosewood fingerboard which is also double bound, hardware is in good condition 1/2 Moon bridge, geared tuners with plastic cream colored buttons hold the tune very nicely on this one. This banjo has a comfortable neck and feels good in your hands. The neck is shimmed. The action is a little higher than I like (a little over 1/8 of an inch at the 12th fret) but it plays without any problems. This is due to an ever so slight forward bow. When holding the strings against the fingerboard the bow is really neglegable.

This banjo has an excellent sound the way it is currently set up (tight head and tailpiece set low.) When you hit it you really can’t believe what you are holding in your hands--it really does explode with power and volume. Is it a pre-war Gibson? Not at all but you could without shame take this banjo to a picnic and still impress people. It will blow anything in this price range out of the water. If playable I often recommend these “Asian bottlecaps” to beginners.

I posted some clips to the hangout comparing this to a modern Gold Star and asking folks to tell which was which. The results were about half and half. That should give you an idea of the “sound per pound” of this banjo! Check out “Sockeye” under my Music on my homepage, it features me playing this banjo. The sound is clear and even all over the neck--VERY unusual for a banjo in this price range!

If you aren’t used to these banjos the criticism of them is that they lack depth and border on being brash. This banjo in particular is very loud without being shrill. It lacks no volume and is not a wimp in the tone category. You will not be disappointed.

I’ve linked to several videos with me playing in various styles and even one video with Nylgut strings. All the videos featured the banjo with a different bridge. The moon bridge now sounds better and improves intonation. It even lowered the action a bit too!

I’ve owned this banjo for the better part of four years and the only reason I’m selling it is because I’m moving soon and need to get rid of some stuff.

This banjo will be shipped well packed in a chipboard case.