{"product_id":"jj-hartel-boucher-style-minstrel-banjo-2023-14279","title":"J.J. Hartel Boucher Style Minstrel Banjo (2023)","description":"J.J. Hartel Boucher Style Model Minstrel Banjo (2023), Franklin, NY, serial # 250. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJames J. Hartel has been making and playing banjos on and off since 1973 and is a recognized expert of American banjo history; his specialty today is making replicas of authentic historic minstrel banjos. He has had access to a vast array of surviving early banjos and has documented the dimensions, construction and detailed characteristics of each individual instrument that he replicates. Even today he continues to research and fine tunes his banjos so that they look and sound as much like those of the early minstrel period as possible.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Hartel instrument is in the style of Boucher, one of the most well known makers of an era when many were anonymous. William Boucher Jr. began making banjos in Baltimore around 1848 and soon became a known force in the still mostly individual pre-industrial craft industry of the time. Boucher banjos were celebrated in the mid-19th Century as some of the best and most advanced instruments for the serious player available. They were used by the top name performers in Minstrel Shows, documented as carried by soldiers of both sides during the Civil War and have been a favorite template for modern replica for many decades. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Hartel-made Boucher replica is a particularly nicely rendered version of this classic design. It follows the original template very closely with impeccable craftsmanship while still retaining the handmade feel of the original. The thin 12\" rim is maple with a nicely grained outer veneer, set up with authentic style square-nut hooks and the requisite lightweight hoop. The maple neck has Boucher's trademark scrolled headstock and cutout pattern along the upper edge; the very thin finish gives a more authentic 19th century feel than most modern attempts. Hartel's stamp is on the dowel with the serial number; his seal is stamped on the underside of the renaissance head, and it was signed by him on April 30, 2023. This is one of the best and most authentic instruments of this style we have handled, a tribute to the skill of its maker today and the artistry of its designer nearly 180 years along.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 38 3\/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 12 in. (30.5 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 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis banjo shows some very light handling wear but appears not much played since new. It carries the original plastic head and hand-carved maple bridge. Playability is excellent with the expected deep, round sound but a lot of presence as well. It resides in a modern HSC, with a wrench included; for sheer authenticity supply your own gunny sack! Excellent + Condition.","brand":"J.J. Hartel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57340639772812,"sku":"14279","price":2950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_cd5cb1fc-4f6a-446f-b789-cb2678419a6d.jpg?v=1789062654","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/jj-hartel-boucher-style-minstrel-banjo-2023-14279","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}