Huss & Dalton Owens Mill Model 5 String Resonator Banjo (2004), made in Staunton, VA, serial # B-012, shaded maple finish, laminated mahogany resonator, laminated maple rim, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original tweed hard shell case.
While we have had some Huss & Dalton guitars in stock, this is the first of their beautifully crafted banjos we have had the pleasure to offer. Huss & Dalton guitars are known for their exceptional tone and build quality; this Mastertone style 5-string is absolutely in the same league. Oddly enough the founders both worked at the Stelling Banjo Works before combining their talents; although the company is primarily known for acoustic guitars, they also have produced a limited number of superb open-back and resonator banjos.
This is a very early Owens Mill model carrying serial number B-012 on the label inside the resonator, signed by the builders. The Owens Mill is their individual take on the classic Mastertone Bluegrass banjo. It features a Jim Stull #4 20-hole flathead tone ring on a three-ply Cooperman laminated maple rim, with a typical cast one-piece flange all in the standard 1930s Mastertone mode. The resonator is laminated mahogany over maple, bound with blonde maple on both edges. The hardware is typical Mastertone style including Gibson-pattern hooks and a Kershner style "eagle claw" tailpiece.
The neck is more individual, made of mahogany with the intricate "Majestic" mother-of-pearl pattern on the ebony fingerboard, which is also bound in clear maple. The headstock is more reminiscent of the Stelling pattern than the traditional Gibson, with shaped pearl inlay including the Huss & Dalton logo. The tuners are modern 2-band Grover style. All hardware is nickel plated with a nice vintage look. This is really a superb Bluegrass banjo, different enough from the typical Gibson clone to have its own individual identity but close enough to the source to nail the expected classic "Earl" tone.
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 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 20+ year old banjo shows only light wear overall, notably some occlusion to the nickel plating giving it a true "vintage' look! There is very little finish wear, just some scuffing and tiny dings to the lacquer here and there. The back of the neck has one feelable dent in the 10-11th fret area. There are 4 railroad spikes in the fingerboard at frets 7,8,9 and 10; we don't know if it was ordered this way or they were added. This is a great playing, truly excellent sounding banjo with a truly classic rounder Mastertone sound compared to many modern 5-strings that sometimes accentuate the crisper high-end response at the expense of the overall tone. It resides in the original HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
