Mike Ramsey Woody 5 String Banjo , c. 1999
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Mike Ramsey Woody Model 5 String Banjo, c. 1999, made in Appomattox, VA, serial # 1069, brown stain finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
The late Mike Ramsey was one of the very best regarded of modern "old time" banjo makers, and indisputably one of the most creative. He began building part-time in 1986, and in 1990 went into full time banjo production in Lebanon, Ohio. Ramsey moved around more than most makers; 1994 he relocated his shop to Appomattox, Virginia (where this banjo was made) then in 2005 to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Around 2010 he made his final move to Pittsboro, NC. And passed away in 2021.
Ramsey's banjos from all periods manifest more eccentricity than those of his nearest compatriot/competitor Bart Reiter, and if sometimes slightly less cleanly made are always interesting, worthy and inevitably fine sounding instruments. This is a mid-period example of his work with serial number 1069 stamped into the dowel and dates to the last "turn or the century".
The "Woody" model is built on a 12" diameter, 3/8" thick rim, so named because the top edge has no metal tone ring but is beveled inwards. This design is not unique to Ramsey but derived from the A. A. Farland banjos of the 1900's, a style favored for decades by John Hartford in particular. The bottom of the rim is veneered in rosewood. The 26" scale neck is 2-piece maple with a thin center ebony center strip and a rosewood heelcap. The ebony fingerboard has a frailing scoop below some engraved dot and leaf-and-acorn pearl inlay. The headstock has an abstract pearl tree inlay and geared Planet pegs.
This banjo's design with a medium scale neck and large head "Woody" rim with a centrally mounted bridge produces a sweetly dark, somewhat plunkier sound than many frailers while retaining good definition. It is also fairly light and very easy to play. As Mike Ramsey sadly passed away a couple of years back, there will be no more of these made. His instruments often manifested an appealing eccentricity but were lovingly made with a very distinctive warm sound and a lot of charm.
Overall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 12 in. (30.5 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
This banjo shows only some fairly light wear and remains pretty much as Mike Ramsey built it 35 or so years ago. The nickel plating has some noticeable tarnish (mostly to the hoop) and there is some very light finish wear, with a few dings and dents to the lower rim. The original frets show some very light wear as well but nothing that affects play. It is set up with a Fiberskyn style head and is a lovely "modern Old Time" frailer, with a particularly antique sound without the metal tone ring. This banjo is well seasoned and ready to gig in a solid (probably original) HSC. Excellent - Condition.
The late Mike Ramsey was one of the very best regarded of modern "old time" banjo makers, and indisputably one of the most creative. He began building part-time in 1986, and in 1990 went into full time banjo production in Lebanon, Ohio. Ramsey moved around more than most makers; 1994 he relocated his shop to Appomattox, Virginia (where this banjo was made) then in 2005 to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Around 2010 he made his final move to Pittsboro, NC. And passed away in 2021.
Ramsey's banjos from all periods manifest more eccentricity than those of his nearest compatriot/competitor Bart Reiter, and if sometimes slightly less cleanly made are always interesting, worthy and inevitably fine sounding instruments. This is a mid-period example of his work with serial number 1069 stamped into the dowel and dates to the last "turn or the century".
The "Woody" model is built on a 12" diameter, 3/8" thick rim, so named because the top edge has no metal tone ring but is beveled inwards. This design is not unique to Ramsey but derived from the A. A. Farland banjos of the 1900's, a style favored for decades by John Hartford in particular. The bottom of the rim is veneered in rosewood. The 26" scale neck is 2-piece maple with a thin center ebony center strip and a rosewood heelcap. The ebony fingerboard has a frailing scoop below some engraved dot and leaf-and-acorn pearl inlay. The headstock has an abstract pearl tree inlay and geared Planet pegs.
This banjo's design with a medium scale neck and large head "Woody" rim with a centrally mounted bridge produces a sweetly dark, somewhat plunkier sound than many frailers while retaining good definition. It is also fairly light and very easy to play. As Mike Ramsey sadly passed away a couple of years back, there will be no more of these made. His instruments often manifested an appealing eccentricity but were lovingly made with a very distinctive warm sound and a lot of charm.
Overall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 12 in. (30.5 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
This banjo shows only some fairly light wear and remains pretty much as Mike Ramsey built it 35 or so years ago. The nickel plating has some noticeable tarnish (mostly to the hoop) and there is some very light finish wear, with a few dings and dents to the lower rim. The original frets show some very light wear as well but nothing that affects play. It is set up with a Fiberskyn style head and is a lovely "modern Old Time" frailer, with a particularly antique sound without the metal tone ring. This banjo is well seasoned and ready to gig in a solid (probably original) HSC. Excellent - Condition.