Mike Ramsey 5 String Banjo, c. 1990, made in Lebanon, Ohio, serial # 77, shaded maple finish, laminated maple/mahogany rim, laminated mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, brown tolex hard shell case.
The late Mike Ramsey was one of the very best regarded of modern "vintage 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. This is a very early example of his work with serial number 77 stamped (rather faintly) into the rim and dates to that period.
Ramsey moved around more than most makers; 1994 he relocated his shop to Appomattox, Virginia, and again 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 great sounding instruments.
This early Custom model is built on a 12" rim with quite a thin ply wall for a modern banjo, a design rather unique to Ramsey. Topping that is a spun brass hoop tone ring in the "Little Wonder" style. The 25 1/2" scale neck is 3-piece mahogany with an ebony center strip and a rosewood heelcap. The dot-neck ebony fingerboard has a frailing scoop and a mixed-size dot and "Moon & Saturn" pearl inlay pattern. The headstock has a single engraved 4-point star inlay and geared Planet pegs. This early banjo is built with Gibson style coordinator rods instead of a traditional wooden dowel.
This banjo's design mates a shorter scale neck to the large head with a centrally mounted bridge so offers a darker, plunkier sound than many frailers while being fairly light and very easy to play. As Mike Ramsey sadly passed away recently, there will be no more of these made. Even this very early model is a delightful instrument, lovingly made with a very distinctive warm sound and a lot of charm.
Overall length is 37 3/4 in. (95.9 cm.), 12 in. (30.5 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This banjo shows only some fairly light wear and remains pretty much as Mike Ramsey built it over 30 or so years ago. The nickel plating has some noticeable tarnish (mostly to the hoop) and there is some very light finish wear. The original frets show some very light wear as well but nothing that affects play. It is set up with a Fiberskyn 2 head and a Moon bridge and is a lovely "modern Old Time" frailer, well seasoned and ready to gig in a solid HSC. Excellent - Condition.
