Washburn Improved Model 530 (1914)
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Specifications
Scale Length: 27.31"Nut Width: 1.13"
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fretboard Wood: Ebony
Peghead Overlay: Ebony
Peghead Inlay: Mother-of-pearl
Fret Markers: 7th, 9th, 12th, and 17th frets
Nut Material: Bone
Spikes: None
Tuners: Original nickel planetary with grained ivoroid buttons
Finish: Varnish
Rim Size: 11"
Rim Wood: Spunover maple
Tone ring: Bohnenberger
Brackets: 22
Tailpiece: Original Elite nickel no-knot
Head: Remo frosted white
Armrest: None
Case: Non-original hard-shell case
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Description
While the heyday of New York banjo luthiery in the 1910s and 1920s produced a lot of the most famous and sought-after open-backs of all time, it also gave us a lot of fascinating odds and ends that seem to still be waiting for their time to shine. This Washburn "Improved" Model 530 from 1914 is a perfect example - a fascinating five-string with a spunover pot and a raised Bohnenberger tone ring, which was briefly used on Lyon and Healy products of this era. The Bohnenberger, which would have originally been covered by a flesh hoop were this banjo to still have its original calfskin head (rather than its current synthetic one) adds extra brightness and projection, and was originally designed to compete with the Fairbanks Electric models, which sported tone rings comparable to a modern day Whyte Laydie. In tandem with the spunover maple pot, this banjo has an ultra-bright and metallic tone that takes the sound of the classic Lyon and Healy products and bumps it up to 11. Cosmetics are relatively minimal, but we love the subtle inlay work and the natural beauty of the figuring in the birch neck.
This instrument arrived in our store in very good condition especially considering its age. Cosmetic wear is relatively minimal for an instrument now over 100 years old, with only a small crack in the pot, which appears stable. There is moderate warping in the neck which raises the action as one ascends to upper positions, but the banjo's intonation is not significantly impacted. All hardware appears to be original. Included in the price is a non-original hard-shell case, which provides a good and protective fit.
*Please note, per our return policy, all sales on used and consignment instruments are final.*