Here is a fantastic rarity, a Thompson & Odell Luscomb banjo in mostly original condition and built during the 1890s in Boston, Massachusetts. This specific instrument was part of the Akira Tsumura collection, and appears in Tsumura’s 1994 book ‘1001 Banjos’. This banjo has a story! J F Luscomb was a well known banjo soloist and composer in the 1880s and 1890s, and was granted a number of banjo-related patents that are used on this banjo.
Openback
Greg Deering says about the Deering Sierra Model 5 string banjo: “No one can buy a better banjo…they could buy a fancier one, but not a better one! ” Built with the same Deering -06- 20 Hole Bronze Tone Ring, three ply maple rim and one piece, cast, zinc resonator flange that are built into our top of the line banjos like the Calico, GDL and Ivanhoe, the Sierra is “A masterpiece of playability!”.
The Deering Goodtime banjo produces a vibrant ringing tone from its natural finished violin grade maple rim. At only 4 pounds, the weight makes it ideal for both children and adults to play and to travel with conveniently. The Deering Goodtime openback banjo is warm, woody and full sounding – it’s a great sounding clawhammer banjo for advanced players.
The Deering company of Lemon Grove California has been one of the most respected manufacturer of high-end banjos for decades. Their Vega line of open-back clawhammer banjos including the Vega Old Tyme Wonder are packed with features and priced very modestly. The latest model in the Vega banjo line is the “Old Tyme Wonder” which features a hand applied ‘Warm Brown’ stain over highly flamed maple finished with a matte lacquer.
The Deering Golden Wreath 5 String banjo is a beautiful instrument that is an accurate reproduction of the classic banjos of the 1930’s, but at a fraction of the originals cost. Normally the Deering Golden Wreath is built with Mahogany, but for the last several years Deering has been custom building the Golden Wreath in Walnut for The Twelfth Fret.
The patented Special Tone Ring found beneath the American made beauty of the Deering Artisan Goodtime Special Openback makes it louder and brighter than the standard openback model and is great for players who like to jam and want to be heard. The rich brown stain, planetary tuners, and Deering peg head shape gives the classic look of a vintage banjo. Featuring Midnight Maple Fingerboard and Vintage Artisan inspired inlays.