Mike Ramsey Special Model 5 String Banjo (2013), made in Pittsboro, North Carolina, serial # 2687, shaded maple finish, laminated maple rim amd neck, ebony fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
The late Mike Ramsey was one of the best regarded of modern "vintage old time" banjo makers. He began building in 1986, and in 1990 went into full time banjo production in Lebanon, Ohio. In 1994 he moved his shop to Appomattox, Virginia, and again in 2005 to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Around 2010 he moved to Pittsboro, NC. where this banjo was made. Ramsey's banjos manifest more eccentricity than those of his nearest compatriot/competitor Bart Reiter, and if sometimes slightly less cleanly made are always interesting and worthy instruments.
This "Special" model is built on a big, 12 1/8" rim with quite a thin ply wall for a modern banjo. Topping that is a spun brass hoop tone ring in the 'Little Wonder' style. The 25 3/4"neck is beautifully figured flame maple with a frailing scoop on the dot-neck ebony fingerboard, with one "shooting star" inlay at the 5th fret. The headstock has a "Saturn" inlay and geared Planet pegs.
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 light and very easy to play. As Mike Ramsey sadly passed away recently, there will be no more of these made. This is a delightful instrument, fairly plain but lovingly made with a very distinctive sound.
Overall length is 36 7/8 in. (93.7 cm.), 12 1/8 in. (30.8 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 3/4 in. (654 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
This banjo shows only very light play wear and remains pretty much as Mike Ramsey built it just about 10 or so years ago. The nickel plating has some minimal tarnish and there is some very light finish wear, mostly dinks to the bottom edge of the rim. Something must have been once mounted to the dowel stick, which shows some scarring between the neck joint and nameplate. The original frets show some very light wear as well but nothing that affects play and this is a lovely modern "Old Time" frailer, complete in the original HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
