Gold Tone ML-1 Bela Fleck 5-String Baritone Banjo with Case

Description

Gold Tone ML-1 Bela Fleck 5 String Baritone Banjo with Case

Béla Fleck, arguably today's most recognized banjo player, has his heroes. One such, John Hartford, made extensive use of a low-tuned five string banjo (a 1920's twelve-inch Farland) in his music. While Béla already played a Gold Tone CEB-5 cello banjo, he felt that there should be a banjo to bridge the gap between the cello banjo (tuned to G, an octave below standard banjo) and the standard five string banjo. Béla collaborated with Gold Tone president, Wayne Rogers, for many months and, after overcoming numerous challenges and the building of several prototypes, the ML-1 "Missing Link" was born. Tuned to open C (in G configuration, i.e. an octave below the fifth fret of a standard five-string banjo), the ML-1 features a twelve-inch three-ply maple rim supporting a bronze tone ring. A specially made Remo Black Suede head mounts a custom 7/8" bridge and a custom-made set of all-wound strings that connect to a Gold Tone Terminator tailpiece. The hard rock Canadian maple neck is topped with a deep black ebony fingerboard, buffed to a compound radius (5" to 9") and outfitted with jumbo frets. The beautiful Art Nouveau style inlay pattern (designed by Béla) stretches down the entire length of the neck to the peghead, interrupted only by a Zero Glide nut (for extremely accurate intonation and low-friction tuning). Black binding and black Master Planetary tuner buttons complete the elegant look.

Specifications

Banjo Type

5-String Banjo

Number of Strings

5 Strings

Instrument Spec

Baritone Banjo

Pot

Pot Type

Resonator

Pot Diameter

12"

Pot Construction

3-Ply Maple Rim

Tone Ring Fitted

Yes

Tone Ring Type

Rolled Brass Tone Ring

Banjo Head Type

Black Suede Head

Crown Height

Medium Crown (7/16")

Tension Hoop

Notched Brass Tension Hoop

Number of Hooks

24

Bridge

Maple 3 Round Foot with Ebony Tip

Bridge Height

7/8"

Tailpiece

Gold Tone Terminator Tailpiece

Arm Rest Fitted

Yes

Resonator Material

Maple

Neck

Neck Material

Hard Rock Maple

Fingerboard

Ebony Radiused Compound

Number of Frets

22

Neck Inlays

Custom Nouveau

Scale Length

26 1/4" (667mm)

Headstock

Nut Material

Bone

Nut Width

1 3/8" (35mm)

Tuners

Rear Facing Planetary Tuners

Tuner Buttons

Black Plastic

Finish

Finish

Gloss

Tuning

Open C Banjo CGCEG

Color

Vintage Brown

Other

Right or Left Handed

Right Handed

Supplied With Case/Gig Bag

Hard Case

Manufacturer Warranty

1 Year

1 Year

Weight

9.2 lbs